“Delicious,” Teddy said as the protein warmed his empty stomach.
“Super easy to make,” Evelyn said. “Do you cook, Tank?”
“Basic meals, but most nights I grab dinner at our restaurant,” he explained.
“Who runs it when you’re not there?” Sean asked.
“I make it a point to swing by as much as I can,” Teddy explained. “Greystone too. And our brother Gabriel’s back from Italy. He’s been filling in for us.” He eyed the chicken leg on his plate.
“Fingers are fine, Tank,” Evelyn said with a motherly smile.
“Have you eaten at our restaurant?” Teddy asked.
“Twice,” Evelyn said. “It was fabulous both times.”
“Did you eat at the owner’s booth?” Teddy asked.
“No,” Sean replied.
“Ah, jeez, now you’re makin’ me look bad,” Greystone said, and everyone laughed.
“Next time you want to dine there, owner’s booth,” Teddy said.
Teddy wanted to see how Sydney was doing. He wanted to return to the Black Site and continue hunting for the terror cell. The pressure was mounting, the uncertainty of when the Haqazziis would strike—or where—hounded his thoughts.
“Excuse me,” Teddy said. “I need to check on someone.” He unearthed his phone, typed out a message to Sydney.
Thinking about you. How are you doing?
“Family is super important to me,” Teddy said, sliding hisphone back into his pocket. “I’m the youngest, so by the time I came around, my parents were both kinda busy. Our grandmother raised me, along with my brothers. I hated that Greystone left, but he’s lucky to have you guys.” Teddy raised his half-filled glass of sparkling water. “Thanks for taking good care of my brother. He turned out damn good.”
Greystone shot him a grateful smile. “Grazie, fratello. Sean and Evelyn are the best.”
“You know, Tank,” Evelyn said, “You’re welcome here anytime. We’ve got a guest room you can crash in and the fridge is always stocked.”
Greystone chuffed out a laugh. “I’m not sure whose gonna like this situation more—you two or Teddy.”
“We’d love it,” Sean said.
“I needed this. Thanks for inviting me.” Teddy regarded his brother. “I appreciate this. Seriously.”
“Are you having a challenging day?” Evelyn asked.
“We’re having a string of ‘em,” Teddy replied, before he drained the water.
Evelyn waved her fingers toward herself, gesturing for him to talk. “C’mon, talk to us.”
He glanced across the table, expecting Greystone to shake his head.
To his surprise, Greystone said, “Sean knows about The Day of Destruction. He’s a deputy director at the Bureau.”
“Gotcha,” Teddy said. “As Evelyn knows, I took out three from the Haqazzii terror cell in Pennsylvania, but I’ve been chasing the group since May, starting in Boston. Now, they’re threatening us?—”
“Theodore,” Greystone warned.
“What?” Evelyn blurted, concern etched on her face.
Crap.
