“Nice,” Greystone replied. “It’s a closed party, security everywhere.”
“You’re not afraid of a few bad guys, are you?” Sydney teased.
Greystone flashed a smile. “I’m not afraid of anything.”
“That’s the ‘tude,” Sydney said.
Caroline kissed her sister’s forehead. “Love you, sissy. Happy you’re home.”
“Love you back, Car.”
They left, shutting the door behind them. Sydney relaxed onto the pillows, then sat up and got busy rearranging them before laying back down. She was happy to be home, but not happy enough to drop her guard. She’d taken out Todd Petersen, but Crafty Lamar was probably burning the midnight oil looking for Petersen’s killer.
Before closing her eyes, Sydney slid her hand under the pillow on the empty side of the bed. Her fingers curled around her SIG Sauer and she released a sigh.
Years ago, she heard her mom and dad talking about being each other’s best friend. Her mom had joked that diamonds were a girl’s best friend, and her dad had said he was happy to supply her with a never-ending stream of them.
As much as Sydney loved her friends—and she counted her sister as her closest one—her best friends were her weapons. They had been from the moment her dad took her to the range for the very first time.
She doubted she’d ever find anything she loved more than a weapon but, as she drifted to sleep, Tank’s rugged face, chiseled cheeks, and wicked-dark eyes crashed into her thoughts.
But she’d dated handsome men before and that hadnotworked out. A year ago, she’d told herself she needed more than a good-looking idiot.
I need a man who’s brave. He’s gotta be smart, definitely fierce… and he’s gotta be loyal.
I need the full package.
Is Tank Santini that man?
TEDDY
At one-fifteen the following afternoon,Teddy stopped at the guard station, rolled down his window, and held out his driver’s license. “Theodore Santini for Evelyn Baker.”
The guard took his license. “Do you have any firearms?”
“Yes,” Teddy replied. “I’ll lock it in the safe in my glove box.”
“Lock it up, step out, and wait over there.”
As Teddy exited the vehicle, Greystone pulled up. Two different guards approached him.
“Please remove your suit jacket,” said one of the guards.
Teddy complied.
One patted him down while the second waived a wand over every damn inch of him. He glanced at his vehicle. Two guards, each with dogs, were combing through the truck.
Greystone approached. “You’re gettin’ the royal treatment.”
“I made the mistake of coming armed.”
“If Haqazzii has eyes on us, the bullets are comin’ from a distance.”
“Good to know we won’t see death coming,” Teddy said.
Greystone patted his chest. “I’m in armor. You?”
“Always,” Teddy replied.
