“Thanks! Now, I need a costume.”
“I can help with that,” Caroline said, “but you have to be careful.”
“I spent nine months in Moscow, working for the Russian government. I was alone with no family or friends while spying on my boss. I know careful. I just want to play dress up and have a drink.”
“Text me when you get home,” Caroline said.
“Yes, Mom,” Halston teased. “I’ll stop there for one drink. One. Drink. What’s the harm in that?”
GABRIEL
Teddy parkedin the driveway of the upscale Alexandria home of their cousin Carrera Santini, his wife Slash, and their grandmother Elsa Santini.
“Thanks for the ride,” Gabriel said as they took the walkway to the front door.
“I wasn’t sure if you were up to driving.”
“I’vebeendriving.” Gabriel glanced over at him. “Where’s our Sydney?”
“She couldn’t make it.”
The brothers entered the house, made their way through the two-story foyer toward the laughter and chatter coming from the kitchen.
The dinner was a Welcome Home for Luciano and Simone, and Gabriel’s Send Off.
Everyone stood clustered around the center island. Despite being angry at most of them, Gabriel smiled. How could he not? They were family. And he adored them.
Carrera, Slash, and Elsa. Luciano and Simone, and Greystone.
Out of the entire motley crew, he was the one who stirred the pot. He thrived on chaos, always had.
“Gabriel!” Elsa called out as she ambled toward him.
He dipped down, kissed each of Elsa’s soft cheeks, then pulled her in for a hug. If there was anyone who soothed his hardened heart, it was his beloved grandmother.
“Either I’m getting taller or you’re not done shrinking,” he said.
She swatted him, then grabbed his chin with her small hand and gave it a squeeze. Though slight-in-stature, she wielded a lot of power.
Their father had been too busy running the family business with his brother, and their mom was just too busy. So, it was their grandmother who made sure they ate dinner together every night. She dragged them to mass when they were little and “invited” them when they got bigger. Like a true Santini, her invitations were not to be refused. She was sweet and loving, but she was a Santini.
Elsa Santini knew tough love better than anyone.
“Sei bellissima, nonna.”You look beautiful, grandmother.
“È la calma di Gabriel prima della tempesta.”It’s the Gabriel calm before the storm.
He pointed to himself? “Me?”
“Do you know what you are, nipote?Grandson.
Standing tall, he threw back his shoulders. “The Agitator.”
She nodded. “You create mayhem… or does it follow you everywhere?”
“That’s the age-old question, isn’t it, Elsa? The chicken or the egg?”
She laughed, hugged him again. “Be a good boy tonight.”
