Page 89 of Destroyer
He topped off his coffee, then did the same for everyone else.
The conversation shifted to mindless matters. The weather, the upcoming holiday season. A welcomed reprieve, but Teddy’s thoughts were focused elsewhere. His mind was racing with new information. He had mere weeks to take out nine men—and any other terrorists who got in his way—before the President stood before the world and vowed to keep America safe.
Muscles running down his back turned to granite, his guts tightened, but he had to keep moving forward.
And he had to keep believing in himself.
They finished their desserts. He thanked the Bakers. When Teddy hugged Evelyn, her shoulders were taut with tension.
“I’ll be in touch,” he said.
She made sure he had her cell phone number, Sean’s too.
“Now, you’re family,” Greystone said.
In the driveway, Teddy appreciated the cold November temps. He was boiling mad and needed to get his anger under control. When he got home, he’d take it out on his punching bag.
Then, Sydney popped into his head. He wasn’t going home. He was staying with her at the Black Site.
“Where are you headed?” Teddy asked Greystone.
“Back inside to talk to them,” Greystone replied. “Sean’s theory scared Evelyn pretty good. Then, I’m headed to the Austin’s. Why don’t you meet me there?”
Teddy glanced at his watch. It was 9:10 pm. “I gotta swing bythe restaurant, then grab some clothes before I stay with Sydney at the site.”
Greystone chuffed out a hearty laugh. “Forhersake, right?”
“Absolutely.” Teddy bit back a smile.
“I’ll text you the Austin’s address,” Greystone said.
“By the time I start working, it’ll be two in the damn morning.”
“Don’t forget to leave time for Sydney.”
Teddy laughed. “I want her to feel as comfortable as possible.”
“You be you, brother.”
Teddy’s smile fell away. “I’m almost thinking we should lure the terrorists out of hiding.”
“Hmm.”
“They said they’re coming after me. Let’s make it easy for them to find me.”
“No, Theodore. Absolutely not.”
Teddy walked toward his SUV, then turned back to Greystone. “We gotta dosomething. Unless you come up with a better idea, I’m going with mine.”
As Teddy climbed into his vehicle, he heard Greystone muttering a list of obscenities in Italian as headed toward the Baker’s front door.
Teddy drove into the night feeling confident he was on the right path. He was pumped, he was ready, but more than anything, he wasn’t afraid.
But, like all feelings, they were fleeting.
Stepping out from the shadows and offering himself up was never, ever part of the plan, but in life, very little goes according to schedule.
Life was filled with twists, turns, and curve balls. If anyone knew that, it was Teddy.
