Her smile filled him with hope, more hope than he’d ever felt in his life. Without question, he’d found his person. Despite the criminals they chased and the darkness that clouded their days and their nights, this moment was perfect.
“I love you, Theodore Santini, with my whole heart. The one that’s painted black.”
He chuffed out a laugh. “At least you have one.”
She placed her soft hand on his chest, held it there. “You have one too, and it’s the absolute best part of you. You’re filled with so much love, and I’m so happy you’re sharing it with me.”
He kissed her again.
The waiter returned. “I’m sorry to interrupt.” As they broke away, he said, “Hot dishes. Be careful.”
Teddy thanked him, set his sights on Sydney. “One glass of champagne to celebrate?”
She nodded. “One, but I could drink the whole damn bottle.”
After Teddy instructed the server to bring one of their best bottles, he bustled off.
“One glass to celebrate our love now,” Teddy said. “A bottle while we’re floating on a yacht in the Riviera.”
“I amsothere.”
After they paused to start eating, Teddy said, “You were telling me about G.”
“This eggplant is amazing,” she said. “Your chef has got it going on, for sure.” She took another bite, swallowed it down. “Where was I?”
“The ambassador was on the take from the Russian mafia,” Teddy murmured as he sliced off a piece of salmon steak.
“Things got crazy. I had to find a source at Langley I could trust. I ended up turning to my current boss, Lorne. You met him.”
He nodded.
The server returned with a bottle of their best champagne. After opening it, he poured two glasses.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to leave the bottle, Mr. Santini?” asked the waiter.
“Ask Mr. Gabriel if he wants it.”
The server offered a tight nod, checked to see how they liked their meals, then left with the champagne.
“One night,” Sydney continued, “I was spying on the Ambassador. He was meeting the Bratva at one of their covert locations. That confirmed Gabriel had been telling the truth. Once I had the pics I needed, I left, but someone saw me, and came after me. Gabriel had found out about the hit on me, so he’d been there, only I didn’t know it. He took them out, told me neither one of us had been there, and he put me on theSantini jet in the middle of the night. Then, he made sure the ambassador and his Bratva contact were found together.”
“Sounds intense,” Teddy said.
She nodded as she forked the rolled pasta into her mouth.
“Why not you and G?” Teddy knew he shouldn’t ask, but he needed to know.
She ran her hand down his arm. “I wondered if you were gonna ask me about that. He’s handsome, but I wasn’t attracted to him. Plus, I never hooked up or dated anyone I worked with. It’s too complicated and way too risky.”
“You’re gorgeous,” Teddy said. “G’s a lady-eater.”
“It was never like that with us,” she said. “We’re super tight, but like siblings. He’s the brother I never had. He calls me his sorellina.”
“Little sis,” Teddy said.
“Are you jealous?” Sydney asked.
“Not anymore, but when I saw you two together at the family dinner party, I thought youweretogether.”
“Didn’t like that, huh?”
“Hated it.” Teddy lifted the champagne glass. “Il mio cuore è tuo, amore mio. My heart is yours, my love.”
“I love that.” They toasted, sipped, then a devilish smile crept over her face. “But I love the dark side of you—the wicked, ruthless assassin—just as much.”
“Good to know,” he replied. “Being a Santini is about as dark as it gets.”
