Page 149 of Power
“A year. During that time, I left the family business to my cousin, Willie Boy, and I threw myself into the winery to escape the constant pain. We started Santini Chianti, then through connections I started a men’s clothing line. That turned into Santini International. Santini Whiskey came later.”
“You’ve done a lot in five years,” she said.
“But I haven’t done theonething that matters. I haven’t found my family’s killer.”
She sipped the whiskey. “Are you still searching?”
“That’s why I started the assassin group,” he explained. “After I met Sin, we formed a partnership. He introduced me to Dakota and we decided to take out the bad actors ALPHA can’t.”
“Thank you for telling me about your family,” she said. “Thank you for trusting me, especially with how we met.”
“I trust very few people, but the guys vouched for you. Slash adores you and I value her opinion.” He kissed her hand. “Why did you leave ALPHA?”
“I was leading a mission that went horribly wrong. Everyone on my team was killed and I was terrified he’d come after me.”
“Who?”
“The Bomb Maker,” she replied. “Ever since he killed Frederica and her team, I feel like I’m living the nightmare all over again.”
Desperate to touch her, he caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. “I’m sorry to hear that. Are you still afraid?”
“Not anymore. Now, I’m consumed with vengeance.”
He smiled. “That’s what I needed to hear.”
SIMONE
Simone shivered,but not from the cool temperature in her home. She was baring her soul to him, leaving herself open to getting hurt.
Luciano draped a throw blanket over her lap. “I knew about the earlier attack on ALPHA, but I didn’t know you were the lone survivor.”
“There were six of us,” she began. “We’d gotten intel that The Bomb Maker and his employees had set up their operation in a deserted house outside Leesburg. When we went to make the arrests, the house exploded.” Another shudder ripped through her. “Same as what happened to Frederica.”
“Were you injured?” he asked, stroking her leg.
His gentle caresses, paired with the concern in his eyes, helped assuage her anxiety.
“Just as my team approached the house, Luther called me,” she said. “Back then, he and Z ran ALPHA together. He’d never called during an arrest mission, so I took it.” Another shudderwhipped through her. “He was screaming for us to get out. His words still haunt my dreams. I was yelling for my team, but they were already inside. I ran toward the building and the explosion knocked me back. The Bomb Maker killed my team along with his own.”
He put his arm around her. The strength from his touch filled her with encouragement… and love.
“That’s rough,” he murmured.
“I blamed myself and I had survivor guilt. ALPHA was concerned that if the killer knew I was alive, he’d come after me.”
“Is that why you worked for Mitus?”
She nodded. “I was there for three years. It was like being in witness protection. I was me, but with a fictitious past. Only Colton knew the truth. I had PTSD, but I felt safer behind the gates. After I got the mental help I needed, I improved. I was cleared to return to ALPHA, but I wasn’t ready, so I worked for Z. When Frederica was killed, I knew I had to take the case.”
“Wewillfind him,” Luciano said, his voice velvety and low, yet brimming with his signature brand of confidence.
“We have to,” she replied. “He’s taken so much already.”
His loving smile touched her heart. “Thank you for being vulnerable with me. I will have your back, Simone.”
“I know that, and I’m grateful.” Then, she offered a little smile. “I’ve got yours too. You know that, right?”
He kissed her. One kiss filled with so much love, she melted.
