Page 61 of Knight Watch

Chapter Twenty-Six

Sydney sighedas she sat on one of the chairs around the vast conference table. Showered and wearing yoga gear from Caitlin, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes. It was as if she was floating in her body after all that had happened. It was difficult to come to grip with her new reality.

Her uncle was dead. Half her life she’d fantasized about him dying and now her wish was granted, but she didn’t feel as elated as she thought she’d be.

For the rest of her life she’d remember the door opening, and Shane rushing in with Emme. The others in the background. Most of the team were there, and men sporting FBI coats milled around. The crowd had parted and she’d noticed the two men lying dead, a bullet in each of their heads. There were several more of her uncle’s men in custody.

As she looked at the bodies, memories, and pain surged for a brief moment, before she realized it was finally over.

Looking around, Sydney had seen Malco talking with a couple of FBI agents. Behind her, Sydney heard Kingsley groan as Shane worked to free him. Malco had turned then and walked toward her. Without a word he’d kissed her forehead. She knew then who had fired the bullets that ended her uncle and Troy.

Still shaken, Sydney was met by FBI agents who proceeded with a quick interrogation, but it didn’t take long for them to figure out what had happened.

In the meantime, and after looking through the documents she’d given him, Alex had discovered the information they’d been searching for. As they’d suspected, a chunk of money had been hidden under her name, in what looked like a legitimate life insurance policy. All the other information she had provided helped make the links they needed.

Everything they had gathered, including the list of terrorists on US soil, the bank accounts, and every other piece of information they’d found, proved her uncle’s guilt. It was apparent her rape—that she still hadn’t told the others about—and her kidnapping would take a backseat to uncovering the treacherous monster and betrayer of his country. Sydney didn’t care. It wasn’t her problem anymore. It would always be her trauma, but she would deal with it and push forward. Life and hope were more important.

Someone entered the conference room, and Sydney turned to see Caitlin coming in, Killian on her heels. “Are you all right?”

Sydney nodded as Caitlin sat beside her. “Any updates on Mason?”

Caitlin sighed. “The last update I had was that he was out of surgery. The surgeons are optimistic. They expect a full recovery even though he was suffering early organ failure due to blood loss. It was bad luck that the bullet nicked an artery. Thank goodness for your quick intervention, and the sacrifice of your top for a good cause.”

The Alliance operative shook her head. “What a day! I know that when everything calms down, you’ll have a lot of explaining to do. Your escape was a punch in the gut to everyone, especially Shane and Malco. While I don’t approve of what you did, I understand why you did it.”

“I couldn’t risk losing Kingsley. I should have told you what I was going to do, but I knew it would take too much time. I don’t know what I could have done differently, Caitlin.”

Her friend smiled and touched her hand. “Don’t worry, the men will deal with it. You won’t be kicked out. I won’t allow it. How can I start my project without my partner?”

That made Sydney smile. “You still want me? The rebellious, traumatized, and stubborn niece of Raymond Rutherford, who was a traitor to his country?”

She may have said that in sarcasm, but there was a little tinge of truth in it, but that didn’t seem to faze Caitlin one bit. “You’re the niece of a dead man, and you’re not a Rutherford anymore. Kingsley made sure of that. And I make my own decisions. Anyway, we’ll need you more than ever now. Did you hear Shane and Emme won a contract with the FBI? That’s where they went for those few days. It was a meeting with the director of the FBI.”

“That’s fantastic news—I think,” she said not really knowing but assuming so from the huge smile on Caitlin’s face.

Killian whined and pushed at Sydney’s hand with his muzzle before putting his head on her knees, which made Caitlin laugh. “And you have the approval of the most important team member. Go rest, and I’ll let you know when I’m going to see the puppies again. We’ll talk about a plan then.” With a final wink, Caitlin whistled at Killian and disappeared.

Sydney heard a shout coming from the men’s dressing room, and it sounded very much like Kingsley cursing. Moving closer to the door, she also heard Malco and Wolf—if she wasn’t mistaken. Or was it Nick? Their voices were muffled and annoyed. Sydney had asked Kingsley to go see a doctor, but he’d refused, saying he’d been beaten up before and it wasn’t bad. He’d wanted to stay with her and insisted the guys could patch him up as good as any doctor. Hearing another groan, she decided to leave the guys to it and get some fresh air on the roof.

Night had almost fallen over Miami, the air was humid and warm, and a faint wind played with her hair. Not far away, Latin music played and she could hear laughter in the distance.

A normal life. How strange. For so long, she had been so detached from life. She had never dreamed that normal was possible. How her life had changed in just over a week was unbelievable. It made her giddy with joy, something she hadn’t felt in a long time.

The music and the beautiful evening made her think of her parents and a moment after dinner one night that had been filled with joy. Her father had been helping her mother with the dishes and making her laugh. He’d twirled her around and started swaying with her in his arms. They had been happy, and they’d loved her. If there was one legacy she could uphold, it was that one.

Lost in the moment, swaying on the rooftop, a deep male voice made her jump and turn.

“You’re the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”

Kingsley stood by the trap door, a soft smile on his handsome face. Before she could open her mouth, he walked toward her, a twinkle in his eyes Sydney had never seen before. She could see from how carefully he walked he was still in pain. There were bandages on his wrists, and bruises on his face.

Her magnificent warrior of a husband took her in his arms. She expected him to kiss her and was surprised when he swept her into a waltz instead. It was clumsy and the most beautiful thing in the world.

Careful of his battered body, she moved with him to the rhythm of the distant melody carried by the evening air. Tears filled her eyes when she buried her nose into his shoulder.

She must have made a sound because Kingsley tensed. “Honey, are you okay? I know I’m the worst dancer ever, but I didn’t think I was that bad.”

Sydney chuckled and rubbed her eyes on his shirt before looking up. “You’re a great dancer. Ask me to dance anytime.”