Chapter 12 Shots Fired!
SHOTS FIRED!
SYDNEY
Sydney sprinted up the last flight in the seven-story building, burst onto the rooftop, and hurried over to the edge. From her vantage point, she’d have no trouble taking Tank out.
And that’s when she witnessed the masked intruder opening fire on Slash.
BANG-BANG-BANG!
“Shots fired! Shots fired!” Tank yelled as Slash dove hard to the ground.
The hitman bolted behind a building.
“Enemy fire. Slash is hit,” Tank said into the comm as he ran toward her.
As Slash struggled to her feet, the gunman strode onto the main street of Tucker Town, a rifle cradled in his arms.
Ohmygod, no.
Lightning fast, Sydney unzipped her jumpsuit, grabbed her SIG from its holster in her belly band. As the man aimed his rifle at Slash, Sydney lasered-in on her target and opened fire.
BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG!
Bullets rained down on him, and he collapsed to the ground. Sydney ran toward the rooftop exit, racing down as fast as she could.
“Enemy down!” Tank called out while helping Slash to the ground.
Caroline and Addison hurried over as Sydney approached the gunman, her SIG pointed at the masked man lying on the street, blood oozing from his wounds. Though she’d hit him multiple times in the head and the chest, she needed confirmation he was gone.
Tank strode over, grabbed the shooter’s rifle.
“We gotta weapon-up and secure Tucker Town,” Dakota called out before he and Sin ran toward the main building.
“I got you,” Sydney said to Tank, her gun aimed at the shooter.
Tank pulled off the ski mask, removed his own glove, and felt for a pulse. “You took him out.”
“Who is he?” Sydney asked.
Tank stared at the gunman. “It’s one of Muhammad Haqazzii’s lieutenants.” When his gaze found hers, fury radiated from his eyes.
Still gripping her weapon, she followed him over to Slash, who sat on the street holding her blood-soaked shoulder.
Sin and Dakota came bolting back over. They handed pistols to Stryker, Prescott, Hawk, and Rebel. The six took off to clear the town for any remaining terrorists.
“Slash, any hits besides your shoulder?” Tank asked.
“A bullet grazed my shin,” Slash replied. “Who took him out?”
“Sydney did,” Tank replied.
“Where were you?” Slash asked her.
“Seven-story rooftop.” Sydney shot Slash a smile. “I needed a competitive advantage.”
“Nice shots,” Grey said, as Tucker came flying outside, a med kit in one hand, towels in his other.
“We’ve gotta get the jumpsuit off you,” Caroline said.
“Breathe,” Addison said as she and Caroline helped Slash out of her jumpsuit so they could examine her wounds.
“If it wasn’t for Sydney, I’d be dead,” Slash said.
“We’d all be dead,” Caroline murmured.
Knowing they might have been killed triggered Sydney’s PTSD. She started shaking. Scenes from decades ago began flashing in her mind like they were happening now.
Grey stepped away to make a call. While Tucker pressed a towel against the wound on Slash’s shoulder, Addison had pulled up Slash’s pant leg so she could apply a compress to her shin.
Feeling like she couldn’t breathe, Sydney stepped back, dropped to one knee, and tried to calm her racing heart.
I got this. You were able to help her. Save everyone. You did good. Real good.
Despite the positive self-talk, beads of perspiration formed on her brow and she could not stop shaking.
“Sydney.” A comforting voice in her ear, a strong hand on her shoulder. Tank had knelt next to her, concern filling his eyes. “What’s going on?”
Sydney breathed deep. The effect he had on her was unlike anything she’d ever experienced. It could have been his massive size, might have been the genuine concern in his eyes, the gentle caresses on her back.
He breathed slow and deep, she mimicked him. After several calming breaths, she offered a smile. “It was nothing—”
He shook his head. “No, this is not nothing. You don’t have to talk, but I’m here if you want to.”
Gratitude filled her. “Thank you.”
Together, they rose. His comforting smile sent her into his arms. He held her in his strong embrace, his strength pouring into her.
“I gotta tell you,” Tank said, “You’re one hella good shot. I don’t think you missed, once.”
“I was trained to kill, or be killed.” Sydney clung to him while her racing heart slowed back down.
Sin, Dakota, Stryker, Prescott, Hawk, and Rebel jogged back over.
“We cleared Tucker Town,” Sin said. “He was alone.”
“Unless there’s someone hiding in the range,” Tucker said.
“We’ll split up,” Tank said. “Some will stay behind, clear the building, especially the range. We’ve gotta get Slash in for surgery.”
“Oh, how fun,” Slash deadpanned.
Tank unearthed his phone, strode over to the terrorist and snapped several pics.
“I’ve gotta call the police,” Tucker said.
“No,” Dakota replied. “We got this.”
“If the press—” Tucker began.
“The press shouldn’t find out,” Sin said. “If they do, call me. I’ll kill any stories before they’re written.”
“We need to remove his body,” Grey said.
“I’ve got a bag in my car,” Sin said. “A body bag.”
Sydney laughed. All eyes on her. “I have re-usable grocery bags in mine.” After a pause, she said, “Sorry, but this triggered my PTSD, so I’m using humor to help calm me down.”
Everyone—even Slash—surrounded her. Addison stroked her back, Prescott offered kind, comforting words. Hawk, Brit, and Grey thanked her for saving their lives, telling her she was their hero.
The love pouring from the BLACK OPS team had emotion welling in her eyes. Beyond her parents and Caroline—and the therapists and doctors she’d spoken to over the years—she’d never shared this with anyone. Even Naomi didn’t know about her past trauma.
“I got you,” Tank said. “Whatever you need, for as long as you need it.”
Sydney hated showing her vulnerability but, in that moment, she hadn’t been able to hide it. And for the first time since the tragedy, she didn’t feel like she had to.
“Even badasses are human,” Dakota said with a reassuring smile.
“Sydney, you’re with me,” Tank said. “You’ll sit with Slash in the back seat. Grey, can you and Caroline drive Slash’s SUV back to base camp?”
“We gotta wait until the building’s been cleared,” Grey said.
“We’ll do it,” Sin said before he regarded Slash. “I’m a phone call away if you need anything. Okay?”
She nodded. “Thanks.”
Sin, Dakota, Stryker, Prescott, Hawk, Rebel, Addison, Brit, and Emerson strode inside with Tucker to clear the building.
Caroline hugged Sydney. “I’m proud of you sis,” she whispered. “You’ve never shared that with anyone.” She offered a smile. “How are you feeling?”
“Better.” Sydney placed her hand on Tank’s back. “I wouldn’t have said anything if it hadn’t been for Tank.”
As they stared into each other’s eyes, she said, “You’re good for me.”
His smile made her pulse soar. Only this time, it was from love.
“You’re good for me too,” he replied.
After the team cleared the firing range, they returned to bring everyone through the building. Then, the drivers walked into the parking lot, drove the SUVs up to the entrance. The group filed in, and the caravan headed out.
“You better invite me to the wedding,” Slash said as Tank drove them to the Black Site.
“Don’t you mean Caroline and Grey?” Sydney asked.
“No, I mean you and Tank,” Slash said with a smile. “You two are perfect together. Absolutely perfect.”
She couldn’t hide the smile… and she didn’t want to.
Tank’s phone rang. He answered. “Slash is okay.”
“I’m freaking out,” Carrera said. “Can I talk to her?”
“You’re on speaker,” Tank replied. “We’re driving back to the site.”
“Babe, are you okay?” Carrera asked.
“All good, baby,” Slash replied.
“I’m gonna get to the site before you. Greystone called the surgeon, and she’s on her way.”
When their conversation ended, Tank hung up.
“How are you doing?” Slash asked Sydney.
“Me?” Sydney asked. “I’m okay.”
“If you want to talk—anytime—I’m here for you,” Slash said. “Seriously, I’m super grateful. I won’t part with my knife, but that wouldn’t have helped me today.”
“I get that,” Sydney said. “I’m pretty attached to my firearms, especially my SIG. It’s probably not healthy—”
“Don’t go down that path,” Tank said. “You’re attached for a reason.”
She sure as hell was.
Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the Black Site. Slash’s husband, Carrera, was waiting out back.
Sydney hated that Slash had been shot, but she loved how happy she and Carrera were to see each other. Slash’s face lit up, he got a little emotional. It was sweet, and she loved watching them interact.
Soulmates.
After they brought Slash to the medical wing, nurse Baker Deen took over. Sydney and Tank left her in good hands, but Carrera stayed.
In the hallway, Sydney removed her wig, regarded Tank. “I’m gonna need a few.” She took off toward the residential wing. Seconds later, he was by her side. He didn’t say anything. He just placed his hand on her shoulder, gave her a tender squeeze, then removed it.
In truth, she didn’t want to be alone. But she’d learned how to manage through these setbacks on her own. She opened the door to her suite, stepped inside. When she turned, he was standing in the doorway. A pillar of strength, the same compassion spilling from his gaze.
“Don’t shut me out,” was all he said.
“I don’t want you to see me like this,” she pushed back.
“Like what?”
She peered up at him, wondering how honest she should be.
“Vulnerable?” he prodded. “Sweaty? Are you still experiencing anxiety or feeling bad?”
Tell him. He’ll either lean in or he’ll bolt.
“All of the above,” she replied.
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked. “Do you want me to wait in your room while you shower? Do you need me to hold you?” He held out his hand.
She studied it. Large fingers with trimmed nails and beautiful skin. When she jumped her gaze to his face, she knew what she wanted to do.
As if he could read her thoughts, he said, “It takes a lot of courage to go it alone. It also takes courage to let someone help you through it. I want to be that person for you, Sydney.”