“I’ve been hearing some chatter in a few new chat sites,” Teddy offered. “My gut says they’re coming back to the DMV, if they aren’t here already. They’ve got to know the three are dead, so they’re gearing up for battle. Like they said, they’re coming for me, then the team, then the eagle.”
“If that happens, God help the United States of America,” the President said.
“It won’t, sir,” Teddy replied, with confidence. “I’ve been an operative my entire career. I’m determined to find the terror cell. I will not fail my team or my country.”
“I admire you both,” the President said. “I couldn’t do what you do. It takes a special person to run toward evil unafraid.”
He and Greystone murmured their gratitude.
Evelyn rose. “On that note, thank you for your time, Mr. Santini, Commander Santini.” Fear and sadness shadowed her eyes.
He understood her concern. This mission was a pressure cooker unlike anything Teddy had ever known. Though his bravado didn’t waiver, the fear in Evelyn’s eyes reminded him of the fragility of life. Though their deaths were never part of the BLACK OPS’ conversations, it was always a possibility. Some missions went sideways and good people died doing their jobs.
He waited for the President to stand before he rose. Then, Teddy extended his hand. “Despite the news and the intensity of this mission, meeting you is an honor. I will keep in mind what you said. ‘Everyone does their jobs. It’s that simple.’”
The President smiled. “You’re an excellent listener, Mr. Santini. I wish you luck.”
“Thank you, Mr. President. Same for you.”
“Greystone,” said President Garrison, “Evelyn told me youand Ms. Austin accepted my invitation for a White House wedding. That’s a party I look forward to when your teamsuccessfullycloses out the mission.”
Greystone shook his hand. “Good luck with the election, Mr. President.”
Evelyn escorted them out, shutting the door behind her. In her office, they shouldered their duffles.
“Greystone, I got your text that Caroline can’t make dinner tomorrow night,” Evelyn said. “Tank, would you like to join us?”
His shoulders fell. “After meeting with the President, I’ll be working nonstop?—”
“Teddy’ll be there,” Greystone said, “but I gotta warn you, Evelyn. You feed him, he’ll never leave.”
Evelyn laughed. “Love that. See you both at seven.”
An aide returned, and the brothers were escorted out, their sporty, new leather bags draped over their shoulders.
The weight of the mission felt like a boulder in Teddy’s gut. Despite the water he’d guzzled down, his throat was bone dry. In the past five months, he’d succeeded in taking out only two of the eleven remaining Haqazzii terrorists, and a third who wasn’t even on their radar.
Once outside, the brothers stopped next to their ALPHA SUVs.
“I’ve got a mission with no solid leads,” Teddy bit out. “Those monsters could be preparing to pick us off one-by-fucking-one.”
Greystone laid a hand on his shoulder. “We got this. You’ve been gone for months, workin’ all the time. You were alone. Now you’re back and you have a hand-picked team of ALPHA’s best. We’ll chill at the club for a few hours tonight. Tomorrow, we’ll start at oh-eight-hundred. We’ll work all day, break for dinner, then burn the midnight oil.”
“Good plan,” Teddy said. “I’m swinging by the restaurant before the club. See you tonight.”
Once behind the wheel of his SUV, he unlocked the glove box, pulled out his weapon, and holstered it where it belonged. Against his body. It wasn’t gonna save his ass locked away. It would only work if he could get to it.
And, after meeting with the President, the situation jumped to a whole nother level. He needed to eliminate those men—and fast.
But first, I gotta find ‘em.
