Page 172 of Destroyer
But she wasn’t.
Her body ached from lying on the rooftop for seven hours. Though she loved being an excellent markswoman, she took nojoy in killing. She lived by a different standard than most. Kill or be killed. Her heart had been hardened since the age of ten.
No turning back now.
The men were placed in body bags and loaded into three ALPHA SUVs as Addison strode outside and put her arm around Sydney. “You saved us. All of us. We owe you a debt of gratitude. I can’t even believe?—”
“I got you,” Sydney said.
“How are you, I mean, for real?” Addison asked. “Aren’t your nerves shattered?”
“I’ve been doing this a long time,” Sydney replied.
“It never gets any easier though,” Addison said.
“No, it doesn’t,” Sydney said as Caroline hurried out.
Caroline pulled Sydney into her arms and held her. The tension in her shoulders released and she inhaled a calming breath.
“There it is,” Caroline said as she smiled at her sister. “You did amazing.” Then, she stared into Sydney’s eyes. “That was hella intense.” She called over to Grey. “The group’s waiting for the all-clear.”
“Not yet,” Sydney said. “I need to be gone before they come out.”
“I ordered dinner for you and Tank,” Caroline said. “Seven entrees and four appetizers. Bring the leftovers back to the site. The chef knows you might stay or take the food with you.”
“I’d like to eat at the restaurant,” Sydney said, but I don’t want to get swarmed by Ops.”
Grey and Tank joined them. Just having Tank close calmed her, the heat from his body warming her soul.
Tank extended his hand. When she slid hers into his, love filled her dark heart.
“Thank you for being outstanding at your job,” he said as they shook hands.
The look in his eyes—a mix of love and gratitude and relief—reminded her why she did what she did.
And why she loved him. He said he had her back, and he did.
Tank addressed the team. “Here’s the plan. Hawk and Addison, CJ is expecting you at the crematorium. Greystone and Caroline, update the group and close out the event. I’ll bring Sydney in through the back. We’ll wait in the office until the restaurant clears out, unless you want to see everyone.” He peered over at her. “Up to you, Sydney.
“Your plan sounds perfect,” she said. “Idon’twant to see everyone.”
She didn’t want to turn a life-threatening mission into a celebration. Yes, she’d snuffed out evil, but at what cost? There was always a cost when someone was killed.
Always.
Sydney said goodbye to the OPS, walked with Tank around back. Before they went inside, he pulled her to a stop. “I got you, you know that, right?”
She leaned up, kissed him. “I do. And I’ve got you too.”
He stood in front of the scanner, then punched in a code. After yanking open the fire door, he waited while she slipped inside. The noise from the main dining room struck her. She’d expected silence.
“It sounds like a damn party,” she muttered as Tank led her down the hall. Seconds later, he was closing his office door. Then, he made a call. “It’s Tank. I’m in my office. We’ll eat in the dining room when the restaurant clears. Make sure the front door is locked. And bring me two large bottles of sparkling mineral water and two glasses.” He hung up.
She was too keyed up to sit, so she paced. Her mind was racing from the event. The past several hours had been intense.
“We can’t assume the five remaining terrorists won’t strike tonight,” she said as he pulled her into his arms.
“They’ll go dark while they regroup. I’ll upload their pictures before the holiday.”
