The kickback from the weapon powered into her shoulder, but she kept her gaze on her target. Like the two before, he crumpled to the pavement. She’d struck him with one bullet to the head, one to the neck, and two to his back.
Looking through both binos, Tank swept the area in search of the enemy.
“Clear,” he said before he unearthed his phone, made a call.
She scanned the area, then studied the intersection nearby. It was clear.
“Shots fired,” Tank said, his voice calm but deliberate. “Three terrorists down near the front door.”
Sydney kept her attention on the three men. She’d hit her targets, but she couldn’t confirm whether they were dead or alive, and she had no idea if anyone else was on the way. Pushing off the ground, she peered through the binos and continued sweeping the area. Hypervigilant, she executed her search.
“I don’t see anyone else, but it could be a trap,” she said.
“Teddy,” Grey said through the phone’s speaker. “You there?”
“Yeah,” Tank replied.
“Safe to exit restaurant?” Grey asked.
“All clear,” Tank replied.
“We’re comin’ out,” Grey said. “I need eyes on the front door.”
Sydney lifted the long rifle to her shoulder, looked through the scope. “Eyes up. Have them check for bodycams.”
“Sydney’s got you,” Tank said. “Check for bodycams.”
The front door opened. Grey, Hawk, and Rebel stalked outside, firearms in their outstretched hands. Each knelt by one of the terrorists.
Seconds later, Grey said, “Excellent work, Sydney. All three are down, all three are confirmed terrorists in the Haqazzii terror cell. Checking for bodycams.”
Sydney glanced at Tank, his binos pressed to his face while he scanned the area for more terrorists.
“Bodycams located and stomped,” Grey said. “You’re clear to return.”
Tank ended the call, turned his full attention on her. “Great job, Sydney. Better than great. This time, you saved more than a team, you saved an organization. There are seventy-five ALPHA and BLACK OPS in that restaurant. They’d all be dead if you’d listened to me and abandoned your post.”
“Happy to be of service,” she said, but her heart felt heavy.
“You okay?”
“I’m never okay after I take someone’s life, even if they are the enemy.”
He knelt by her side, stared into her eyes. “What can I do to help you through this?”
She’d never received that kind of support from anyone at work. This man—this tank of a man—was her rock. Gratitude filled her.
“Letting me know you’re there for me is enough.” The pull to touch him had her caressing his shoulder. “Thank you.”
After several seconds, he said, “That leaves Muhammad Haqazzii and four of his lieutenants.”
“Six down, five to go.”
They packed up, made their way downstairs and into the parking lot. There, they loaded up the SUV and drove the short distance to the restaurant. After Tank parked, Sydney extracted her rifle from the backseat. As she and Tank approached the bodies, Grey, Hawk, and Rebel thanked her.
“How’re you doin’?” Grey asked.
“I’m good,” Sydney replied.
