Chapter 25 Holiday Joy
HOLIDAY JOY
TEDDY
The college football game ended in a tie, which to Teddy seemed the perfect ending. The bad guys had been eliminated, the good guys—all the good guys—had won. Canines were brought in to confirm there were no explosives in the stadium.
By eight-thirty, the field had cleared, the stadium stood empty. Teddy had called an ALPHA-BLACK OPS meeting on the fifty-yard line beneath the sunshine-bright stadium lights.
Hal had brought him a mic, shook his hand. “Damn glad to have met you.”
“Same,” Teddy said. “You manage the stadium like a boss.”
A proud Hal grinned. “Thank you, that means a lot. Do you mind if I stick around and listen?”
“This is top-secret,” Teddy said. “But you don’t work for me, and I don’t work for you. I got a mic, a booming voice, so take what you need from the speech.”
“What’s it like to do what you do?” Hal asked.
“It’s the hardest job I’ve ever had, but it’s an important one, like yours.”
“Good luck to you,” Hal said.
“Thanks for everything,” Teddy said.
When Teddy addressed the organization, every OP stood there in a somber silence.
He appreciated that this was not a celebration.
They’d stopped a worldwide terrorist organization from taking out countless people in those luxury suites, not to mention the terrifying loss of life the jumpers would have caused had they landed on the field and opened fire. Killing hundreds… maybe thousands.
Teddy flipped on the mic. “Hey, team.”
A chorus of responses floated toward him.
“Hi, Tank.”
“Hello, Tank.”
“Nice work, Tank.”
Teddy hadn’t planned on saying anything, but he had to close out the mission. While their formal debriefing would happen at ALPHA HQ, he couldn’t let them walk away.
Today was the culmination of months of hard work that had started with Luciano and Simone, then had been managed by Greystone and Caroline. And finally, he and Sydney had closed it out. It would take days, maybe weeks, for the magnitude of what they’d accomplished to sink in.
“Thank you for your excellent efforts today,” Teddy began.
“All of you did your part. To the ALPHA team, you rock. Your presence made all the difference. You kept an eye on the crowd. Several kept your eyes on Sydney and Caroline. Protecting each other is just as important as protecting the innocents.”
“We’re nothing without each other,” Slash said from the front row.
“Slash is right. I need to take a moment to acknowledge a few team members. Join me, when I call your name.”
His gaze floated over the group of one hundred. “Sin and Dakota.”
The men strode over, flanked him.
“Sin and Dakota are the heart and soul of our organization. They do more behind the scenes than we know. The power these two men have is downright scary, but absolutely necessary. Thank you for protecting Sydney and Caroline today.”
He shook each of their hands.
Sin took the mic, and the team cracked up.
“Of course I have something to say.” Sin shot the group a smile.
“Individually and especially collectively, we wield a lot of power. Our jobs are demanding, often times exhausting, but always rewarding. If you ever need anything, I’m here for you.
But… if the devil whispers in your ear, don’t follow him.
If you do, I can’t help you. Remember that. ”
He handed Dakota the mic. “I miss this. I miss you guys, but let’s show Greystone some love.”
Everyone broke into applause for Greystone, who tossed the team an acknowledgment nod.
“Speaking of Greystone,” Teddy said, “let’s give it up for Greystone and Caroline, the dynamic duo.”
The group laughed as the couple made their way over.
“Greystone, finding these monsters was that mission for me,” Teddy said. “It haunted me, and I wasn’t gonna stop until I found every last one of them. Thanks for trusting me enough to get it done.”
“Congratulations to Tank for closing out The Day of Destruction,” Greystone said. “You did a great job putting together a team. Kudos to you.”
The team broke into more applause.
“Caroline,” Teddy said. “You were the brains behind the bomb terror plot. Those government buildings would have blown sky high, taking thousands with them. The medal promised by the President is well deserved. And you saved Greystone’s life. I’m indebted to you for that.”
He shook her hand, gave her a hug.
“Finally, there really was only one person who could take out these monsters with such exacting precision.” Teddy held up his hand. “I know Jericho Savage is a kick-ass sniper, but I think this Op bested even his skills.” His gaze found Sydney’s and his world fell into place.
“Sydney, please join me.”
Sin gestured for her to stand next to Teddy.
“For those who don’t know, Sydney is on loan to us, but there’s no way we’re letting her go,” Teddy said. “She single-handedly took out eight members of the Haqazzii terror group—all while working another case from her primary job.”
He started applauding, and the team joined in.
When the field grew silent, Teddy continued. “Sydney is one of the country’s most skilled snipers and someone I’d partner with for as long as she’ll continue to work with me—with us.”
“When did you get hiring privileges?” Dakota asked, and the group cracked up.
“Sydney—” Teddy offered her the mic.
She waved it away, but the Ops yelled, “Speech, speech!”
Reluctantly, Sydney took the mic. “I’ve worked alone my entire career.
This is way better. I love working with my sis, Caroline, love that I didn’t have to shoulder everything alone.
If you ever get the opportunity to work with Tank, grab it.
He’s a solid team lead, reliable, calming, and the absolute best.”
“Just tell everyone,” Slash called out.
Sydney peered at up him.
“I’m all-in, but it’s your call,” he murmured.
“Tank asked me to do the forever thing, and I said yes!” Sydney said into the mic.
The group erupted in cheers and hollers of approval. They shared a sweet kiss before he said, “And you’re all invited to the wedding.”
After the applause ended, Teddy continued, “In Dakota’s absence, Greystone led our group. It’s an honor to be working alongside you, my brother.”
“Same,” Greystone replied after he took the mic from Teddy.
“It’s been a privilege to step in for Dakota,” Greystone said. “I’m looking forward to his return, so I can climb back into an F-18 and focus on my other job. Thank you for being the best of the best. With that, go home and enjoy time with your families.” Greystone clicked off the mic.
Caroline hugged Sydney. “I’m so happy for you. This is the best news! Have you set a date? Maybe we should plan a double wedding!”
Sydney and Teddy laughed.
“No date,” Sydney said, “but we’ve got plenty-o-time to work out the deets.”
The group lingered on the field talking with each other, but when the stadium lights shut down, they made their way into the building and out to the parking lot.
“Should we head to Mom and Dad’s?” Caroline asked. “Tell them your exciting news?”
“Great idea,” Sydney said. “Tank, yes? No?”
“Absolutely,” Teddy replied. “Right now, I’m so damn stoked we got Haqazzii, I’d agree to anything.”
Sydney waggled her brows before addressing her sister. “We’ll meet you guys there. I want to pack up and get out of Creepy Secret Zone.”
“Yay!” Caroline put her arm around Sydney. “You’re moving back home.”
“I think I’m gonna stay with Tank,” Sydney said. “The condo is too small for all of us.”
“You sure?” Teddy asked.
“Absolutely. I can hear them doing the horizontal Argentine Tango in the next room.” Sydney grimaced.
Teddy chuffed out a laugh. “My place.”
“I told Dakota I’d love for us to do some prelim house hunting,” Sydney said. “He said he’d send over some listings tomorrow.”
Up went Teddy’s eyebrows. “No day off?”
“Hell, yeah, I’m taking a few days off,” she replied. “With you.”
“Where are you thinking you’ll want us to live?”
“Alexandria, near your restaurant,” she replied. “Sound like a plan you can get behind?”
“It sounds perfect,” he replied, as he clasped her hand. “Absolutely perfect.”
SYDNEY
Saturday evening, following Christmas, Santini Ristorante was bustling with lively conversations.
The restaurant was closed for a private holiday event, and Sydney couldn’t be happier.
The Christmas decorations and lit trees made her heart happy, but it was the people at the party that made it so special— a union of her and Tank’s families, along with their extended ALPHA and BLACK OPS family.
Life was good… for the moment, and she relished in the reprieve from the mayhem that had been her constant companion for so many years.
The Day of Destruction mission had been officially closed out by ALPHA. It was considered the organization’s greatest success to date.
She was engaged to the love of her life, and they’d made two offers for homes in Alexandria. That week, she’d interviewed at ALPHA HQ with Providence and Cooper, but she hadn’t heard back. Still, she had every confidence they’d offer her a job.
She and Tank were finishing up a conversation with Stryker and Emerson when Sydney’s parents entered the restaurant. Tank clasped her hand and they made their way around the guests and over to them.
“You made it!” Sydney said before hugging her mom.
Tank shook Mark’s hand before Mark pulled him in to hug it out. “Happy Holidays.”
“Merry Christmas,” Tank replied as he hugged Kathrine. “Welcome to Santini Ristorante.” He checked his phone… again.
Sydney knew Tank had been worried about Gabriel. Though G. could take care of himself, Sydney wasn’t going to tell Tank to stop being concerned. Gabriel’s last known whereabouts had been two weeks ago in Italy. Luciano had been the last to see him before G. vanished.
Even though Gabriel hadn’t responded to their calls or texts, she had every confidence he was okay. It was impossible for her to consider anything else.
Evelyn and Sean Baker made their way over. After hugs hello, Sydney introduced her mom and dad.