Page 137 of Destroyer
He’d learned at the knee of his mafioso dad. Young Teddy didn’t say much, but he absorbed every single thing. He’d watch his dad and his uncle take men out with no regret. He witnessed them silence others with vengeful threats, and he saw things that were seared into his marrow.
As a child, he learned that power and winning were The Santini Way. He understood that family waseverything… and everyone else wasilnemico—the enemy.
As a young adult, Luciano taught him charm. Carrera taught him cunning, and Gabriel reminded him that he was a Santini, first and foremost. Being a Santini was synonymous with power and family pride.
Greystone—though late to the game—taught him that leaders put their team first.
These men had shaped him into the person he was today.
When it came to fighting evil, he relied on his past and hispresent. He was a ruthless hunter, a swift executioner, and a man committed to eliminating apex predators. His family at ALPHA mattered, the innocents mattered, and being a Santini mattered… maybe most of all.
His phone rang, snapping him back to the moment. It was Slash.
Teddy answered. “Did you see it?”
“Carrera’s with me,” Slash said. “I’m surprised about the bodycam.”
“Nofuckingkidding,” Teddy bit out.
“Who took the body?” Carrera asked.
“Sin had a bag,” Teddy said. “He and Dakota went to the crematorium.”
“This is bad,” Slash said.
Teddy flashed back to his childhood when Elsa would say that to his grandfather. He’d always respond the same way. With tender hands, he’d cup her face, gently kiss each cheek, and say, “Elsa, my love, it is never bad. Do you know why?”
She’d smile, place her hands over his, still resting on her face. “Yes, Luca, I do. Because we have each other. We have our family.”
They’d speak this in Italian. Always Italian. Teddy loved watching how they interacted. How gentle and loving he was to his grandmother, yet how ruthless he could be at work.
“No,” Teddy said, pushing back. “It’snotbad.”
“How the hell can you say that?” Carrera barked.
“Fratello, we got this,” Teddy said. “We have each other’s backs. We won’t make that mistake again. We’ve got a plan we’re days from putting into action.”
“We don’t even know if?—”
“Carrera—” Teddy snapped. “Monday, we strike. If you don’t feel safe, take the jet and vanish.”
“I’mnot going anywhere,” Slash bit out. “I’m gonna work that mission like the boss lady I am.”
Teddy smiled. “There it is. Use that anger.” After a beat, he said, “Carrera, I know you’re concerned about Slash.”
“I’m not afraid,” Slash said, “and I’m not backing down.”
“Sorry for the outburst,” Carrera said.
“We’ve always kept things real between us. I don’t want that to change.” Teddy ended the call, waited for another, but silence filled the air.
Blessed silence.
Sydney walked around the corner, her computer bag slung over her shoulder. Dressed in black, black combat boots on her feet, she’d pulled her hair into a tight ponytail. His pulse kicked up speed, heat radiated in his chest, and every single thought stilled. All that mattered was the beautiful badass heading his way.
“I love the eye-fucks,” she said. “You look like a lion stalking me.”
“I could eat you alive,” he growled.
