“We should work,” he replied.
“How did you meet the Bakers?”
Silence.
He wasn’t used to talking about himself.
Rather than move off him, she said, “I’m in love with a man I don’t know much about.” She poked him in the ribs. “C’mon, talk.”
He hated bringing up his past, but he’d become the man he wasbecauseof it. “It’s confidential.”
She pushed onto her elbow, gazed down at him. “Understood.”
“I saw my Uncle Enzo murder my dad.”
She gasped. “How old were you?”
“Sixteen. He died in my arms. Enzo threatened me to kill me and my brothers if I went to the cops, so I ran.”
“That’s intense.”
“My dad had accused Enzo of trafficking young women and told him he needed to step down. He and my dad ran the family business together.”
She nodded.
“I called the FBI and worked with Special Agent Sean Baker. I told him everything, including the threats Enzo made. Because it was my word against his, Sean and his team decided to build a case on the trafficking and racketeering, but not the murder.”
“Where did you live?”
“I was on the streets, but Sean ended up buying me lunch one day. That night, he brought me home, introduced me to Evelyn. She was an attorney. They suggested I stop using the name Santini, enrolled me in school, told everyone I was their nephew, and they kinda adopted me.” He smiled. “They werethe most normal, loving people I’d ever met. They didn’t have kids, so they gave me a lot of attention. I played sports in high school?—”
“Which?”
“Football, lacrosse, basketball, and hockey. I missed my brothers, but I knew I couldn’t go back. I ended up testifying against Enzo anonymously—by video, with my identity hidden—but I’m confident he knew it was me.”
“What happened to him?”
“Prison, but he’s out, and tryin’ to take back the restaurant.”
“Tell me about how you ended up in the Navy.” She straddled him, and he paused to check her out.
“You’re a total hottie, Caroline Austin.”
“Thank you.” She shot him a little smile. “Navy?”
“I wanted to follow Sean’s career—Navy SEAL, Naval aviator, FBI. Sean and Evelyn suggested college first. I got my degree in three years, joined the Navy right after graduation.”
“You overachiever, you.”
“They paid for my education. I wanted to make them proud, show them how grateful I was for their support.”
“Is Sean still with the FBI?”
“Deputy Director, like Carrera.”
“And your mom works for the prez.” She waggled her eyebrows. “Power couple.”
“They’re killin’ it.”