She collected his glass and left his office, stopping to dump her vodka in the women’s restroom. After hiding his glass in her desk drawer, she went in search of a bag, finding one in the break room. The plastic grocery bag wasn’t ideal, but she’d done her part. Either her brother would be able to lift Bulgrov’s prints, or he wouldn’t.
She returned to her office, forcing herself to focus on the myriad of tasks for the ambassador. For the first time in a long time, she had something to look forward to after work. A dinner date with Gabriel Santini.
Is he mine?
A smile lifted the corners of her lips.
He might be… if I want him to be.
GABRIEL
Gabriel enteredthe offices of Develin and Associates in the heart of Georgetown, checked in at the front desk. A moment later, Evangeline greeted him.
“C’mon back,” she said. “They’re expecting you.”
As she escorted him to Sin’s office, Gabriel took in the surroundings. A large bullpen of cubicles, the buzz of multiple conversations filling the expansive space. Offices lined the leftwall, most doors were open, people meeting or talking on the phone. The palpable energy reminded him of Santini Euro, and a pang of envy flitted through him. He missed his life in Italy, missed running his empires. Both the legal and the illegal.
“How’re you feeling?” Evangeline asked.
“About Halston?”
Evangeline smiled. “You were shot, G, but I like where you went with that.”
He smiled. That’s what Halston did for him. She brought him joy.
Evangeline stopped in the executive wing. Before opening the door to Sin’s office, she said, “Halston is talented, unique to ALPHA, and she puts herself at risk every single day. From what I can tell, you’ve got feelings for her.”
“I do.”
“How you two proceed is up to you, but there will be hell to pay if you mess with her head… or her heart. And I’m not talking about the vengeance Sin would bring down on you.” A knowing smile filled her pretty face. “I’m talking about mine.”
“I’m not the bad guy here.”
“Depends on the situation. We’ve all been the bad guy.” Evangeline opened the door, gestured for him to enter, and shut it behind her.
Sin was sitting behind his desk talking with a man in one of the guest chairs. Both rose, made their way over. After shaking Sin’s hand, Sin introduced the other man.
“Gabriel Santini, Crockett Wilde, one of my oldest and closest friends.”
“Good to meet you, Gabriel,” Crockett said shaking his hand. “I’ve got a few items for you to check out.”
“Crockett’s company—Wilde Innovations—is known for his Spy Flies,” Sin said. “But his product line includes dozens of gadgets.”
Everyone got comfortable around the conference room table.
“Can I get you something to drink?” Sin asked. “Sparkling water? We can order lunch if you haven’t eaten.”
“I’m good.” Gabriel’s gaze drifted over the products Crockett had brought with him, the diamond rings catching his eye.
Evangeline lifted a pair of black-rimmed glasses. “Halston has these. They take pictures and capture short video that get uploaded directly.”
“Where?” Gabriel asked.
“To me,” Evangeline replied. “But that can be redirected to anywhere.”
Gabriel eyed the pack of cigarettes.
“Let me walk you through the products,” Crockett said. “This pack of cigarettes is a grenade. This lipstick is a small gun, used for close-range assassinations.” He uncapped the stick, rolled up a pink lipstick.” The lipstick is plastic.” He removed it, revealing a tiny pistol.”