Need your help. Can you meet me?
Where are you?
The Potomac Club in DC. I’m at a table first floor back salon. Ask for Pepper
Gabriel pushed out of the booth. “Monroe’s at The Potomac Club.” He dropped his credit card on the table. “Dinner’s on me. Bring my card to the club.”
“Thank you!” Sydney said before Gabriel strode out.
Twenty minutes later, he pulled up to valet parking at The Potomac Club in Georgetown. Inside, he waited in a lobby that looked like something from another era. Wood paneled walls,amber lighting. Men and women dressed in tailored suits and couture dresses. He spotted several wearing Santini Originals.
The club wreaked of old money… and secrets.
But Gabriel wasn’t there for the ambiance, the spirits, or the food. He was there to help his cousin and get to know Halston’s family.
He approached the maître d' stand. “Gabriel Santini for Pepper.”
He was led through the main dining room and into a small salon. Tucked in a corner, his cousin sat alone, facing into the room. To his surprise, she’d worn a dress, her hair in a fancy updo, and oversized sunglasses covering her eyes.
“I’ll send the server right over.”
“Where’s Devereux?” Gabriel asked the maître d'.
“Dining with his family in the private salon. Did you want to speak with him?”
“No.”
“Very good, sir.” The maître d' left the salon.
After Gabriel eased into the upholstered chair, he studied his cousin. Poised, statuesque. Per usual, he couldn’t read her. “Tell me you’re not hiding a black eye.”
She removed her shades. “Nope.”
“You look great in that Santini Original.”
She leaned close. “Marco Riccobene put out a contract on me.”
Agitation had him making a fist. “Dammit, Monroe.”
“That’s why I left Milan. Figured it would be harder to track me down in the States.”
“Does this have something to do with diamonds?”
“That’s one of the reasons,” she replied.
“Are you safe here?”
“Are any of us safe anywhere?”
She had a point.
“You need me to help you disappear?” he asked.
“This is just a stopover before I—poof—vanish.”
“Headed where?”
She shook her head.
