Chapter 8 Keeping Sydney Safe #2
“Okay, team, guns down.” They lowered their weapons.
“The targets stay where they are, but everyone forms a line behind Hawk. This time, we’re using rifles.
The shooter is moving from the starting point to the farthest target.
If the targets move while en route, keep firing.
When finished, get back in line. If your weapon jams, step away. We good?”
Everyone gave Rebel a thumbs-up before they switched from their 9mm to their rifle, then, they stood in line behind Hawk, posted at the first station.
Alone on the firing line, Hawk raised his weapon and opened fire as he moved from target to target along the short course.
In addition to Hawk moving, so did the targets, as if he were fighting an army charging toward and retreating away from him.
Teddy loved training, loved the camaraderie that came from working with this close-knit team. One by one, the BLACK OPS completed the drill.
When he finished, Sydney moved into place.
“Shooter engage,” Rebel commanded.
Lightning fast, Sydney was a blaze of movement firing off rounds in rapid succession. She hit every target multiple times in both kill zones—the heart and the head—yet it took her half the time of everyone else. She finished, lowered her rifle, and returned to the back of the line.
The OPS glanced at each other, then back to her.
Sydney Austin was in a class of her own.
A total badass, with one hundred percent accuracy, one hundred percent of the time.
This Sydney was the opposite of the woman who’d found her friend a few hours earlier.
Her cheeks were rosy, a smile filled her face, and the delight in her eyes both excited Teddy and gave him a sense of relief.
“Impressive,” Sin said to Sydney.
“You’re fast,” Hawk said.
“Where’d you learn to shoot like that?” Addison asked.
“I have a feeling Sydney was born a badass,” Slash added, and the team laughed.
Teddy had every confidence Slash was right about that.
With a nonchalant shrug, Sydney said, “I’ve been shooting for a while.”
“Great job today,” Rebel said with a proud smile. “Day after tomorrow, we do a full drill at Tucker Town.”
“Yes!” Brit said. “I love that place.”
“Same,” Sydney said. “But it’s been a hot minute.”
As the team funneled back into the building, Greystone and Caroline had arrived. A duffle hung from Greystone’s shoulder, a large suitcase stood by his side. Caroline had a computer bag over her shoulder and a duffle in her hand.
Sydney paused, mouth agape. “Thank you so much. I wasn’t expecting everything. How long do you think I’m staying at Creepy Secret Zone?”
Greystone chuckled.
“Welcome to the Black Site, sissy.” Caroline offered her a warm hug, and Sydney clung to her. “Naomi’s dead. That son of a bitch killed her.”
When the sisters broke away, tears filled Sydney’s eyes. Teddy’s heart dropped. Though she was pushing through, she wasn’t okay. In that moment, she became his number-one priority. Despite the danger they all faced, he wouldn’t let anything happen to her.
He wouldn’t let anything happen to his team either.
He pressed his hand to her upper back, gave her a gentle rub. “Sydney’s had a rough morning, but she’s handling everything like a boss.”
Her rueful smile sliced through him.
Caroline put her arm around her sister. “I’m gonna take a few minutes helping Sydney get situated. After that, I’ll put her in the office next to yours, Tank.”
He acknowledged her with a nod.
“Is it me or is this place creepy?” Sydney asked.
“Creepy,” Teddy said. “No worries. I’m staying here with you.” He’d blurted the words before he could check himself. But he didn’t regret them. If he were being honest, he was slightly motivated by personal reasons.
“We got this,” he added.
“Because we’ll be weaponed-up to the effin’ max,” Sydney ground out, then her sad eyes softened, and she caressed his arm. “Thank you.”
Another zing of electricity thundered through him. You’d think she just offered him the world. That’s how much he liked her.
Easy, bud. You gotta go slow.
Fuck that.
He liked her. He wanted to make sure she stayed safe. He wanted to get to know her. He wanted to help her because, in the process, there was a good chance he’d be helping himself.
Maybe he was a selfish bastard like Gabriel, or a power-hungry maniac like Luciano, or an over-the-top achiever like Greystone.
Or maybe she needs me in her life as much as I need her in mine.
SYDNEY
Sydney stood with hands on hips in the rec room, nestled in the residential wing of the Black Site. Caroline had already left, so Sydney hurried out in pursuit of her sister, finding her in one of the bedroom suites.
Caroline set the duffle on the upholstered chair in the corner, Sydney rolled in the suitcase. “It’s bleak, I know, but you’ll be safe here.” Then, she bit back a smile. “You’ll never get any sleep, but you’ll be safe.”
“I won’t sleep because I don’t have my pillows,” Sydney murmured.
“Right,” Caroline smirked before she opened the suitcase, pulled one out. “I brought the one you actually sleep on.”
Sydney smiled. “Best sis ever.”
“When I said you wouldn’t be getting any sleep, it’s not because the Black Site—also known as our safe house—isn’t secure.
It’s because Mr. Muscles will be staying here with you.
” She rested her arms over Sydney’s shoulders, peered into her eyes.
“I know last night feels like forever ago, but did you have fun with him?”
“Oh Car, he’s so sexy,” Sydney whispered. “I’ve never been with a man, you know, an actual man. Up ‘til him, it’s just been boys.”
Caroline offered an adorable smile. “I’m happy you two finally got to spend time together. I adore him. He’s awesome.” Then, she sat on the bed. “What happened with Naomi?”
After easing down next to her, Sydney told her.
“I’m so sorry,” Caroline said.
“I’m barely keeping it together,” Sydney said, “and I’m filled with so much rage.”
“Who’ll go after King A now that you’re on lockdown?” Caroline asked.
“Me,” Sydney replied. “I’ve got my laptop. Did you bring my weapons?”
Caroline opened the larger duffle, pulled out a portable safe. “Here’re your babies.”
Sydney punched in the code, the lock clicked open, and she lifted the lid. Inside sat her SIG Sauer and her Walther, both 9mm. While she owned several more weapons, those were locked in her free-standing safe in their condo.
“I have a feeling that when it’s time for me to weapon-up, I’ll have plenty-o-guns to choose from here,” Sydney said.
“You can’t just take those weapons,” Caroline declared.
“The second I learn who King A is—and I find him—I’m deep-sixing him so fast, those borrowed weapons will be back here before anyone realizes they’re missing.”
Caroline stared at her for an extra beat. “You’re a handful, you know that?”
“One of my strengths.” Her biting tone made Caroline laugh.
“I know you’ve got a lot going on,” Caroline said, “but you haven’t seen Mom and Dad since you’ve gotten home.”
“I’d planned on swinging by tonight.”
“Mom texted us.”
Sydney fished her phone from the camouflage pants pocket, turned off the Do Not Disturb, and read the text from their mom.
Hi girls! Sydney, Dad and I can’t wait to see you. Aunt Valerie is coming over for dinner. Can you make it? Car, Grey too. Love you, Mom
Sydney smiled. “I love how she always signs it, like we have no idea who’s texting us.”
“She knows,” Caroline said. “She’s just being Mom. I know you’re not supposed to leave, but I can smuggle you out, if you sit in the back. The windows are super tinted.”
“Did Tank tell you I wouldn’t sit in the back?”
“He texted Grey, but I knew you wouldn’t. My sissy, the stubborn mule.” Caroline laughed and Sydney burst into tears.
“Ohgod, Sydney.” Caroline enveloped her. “Let it out.”
Sydney released a torrent of grief, ugly-crying all over Caroline’s shirt. Breaking away, she went into the bathroom, blew her nose and wiped her tear-streaked face.
Get it together. Now.
Shuddering in a shaky breath, she returned to Caroline and smiled. “I’m okay.”
“No, you’re not.”
“You’re right. I’m wrecked over Naomi. I know what we do is dangerous—”
“So dangerous.”
“And I know it comes with risks—”
“Big ones.”
“I love what I do and I’m not going to let Naomi’s murder stop me.”
“I would think it would fuel you to find King A.”
A smile split Sydney’s lips. “I’m going to shred him into a million fucking pieces.”
“Okay, so you have to be smart. Back seat. Wear one of your wigs. I brought a few. I know you don’t need protection, but Tank is…
well, he’s a tank. He’s got a ton going on, but he’ll keep you safe.
” Caroline held up her hand to stop Sydney from protesting.
“I know you’re independent. Way more than I am, but you have got to be careful.
” After another brief pause, she added, “We all do.”
“I promise I’ll be smart, which means I’ll be safe.” Sydney held out her pinky.
Caroline clasped her pinky with her own, squeezed and released. A pinky promise was unbreakable.
Caroline released a sigh. “How ‘bout we head to Mom and Dad’s tonight? We’ll spend a couple of hours with them, then we’ll burn the midnight oil.”
“You don’t need to stay here. I don’t need a chaperone.”
Caroline laughed. “I’m guessing since you’re dressed in camouflage you were at the club all night.”
Sydney smiled. “All night.” Then, her smile dropped. “If I hadn’t been, I would have been with Naomi.”
Caroline gasped. “Oh, wow. One more reason to love Tank.”
“I would have pumped Number Two with bullets and Naomi wouldn’t be dead.”
“Monday morning quarterback all you want, but it might not have ended that way… and you know it.”
Sydney regarded her sister for an extra beat. “Tank said the same thing. You know I’m a good shot.”
“Not if you don’t see it coming.”
Rather than get into an argument with her sister—who wasn’t wrong—Sydney hugged her. “Thank you for stepping up to help me. I love you so much.”