“So, they’re moving the event inside, right?” Sydney asked.
“Everyone wants that… but the President. He’s very people-centric, and he wants it to be a day of celebration forallAmericans, regardless of their politics. He’s calling it a Party for the People.” Tank released a low and too-sexy growl that thrummed through her.
She removed her glove, set her hand on his thickly-corded thigh. “Good to know.”
He clasped her hand. “If you keep your hand there, the guard dogs are gonna find more than a vehicle full of weapons. They gonna seemybig bone, and that’s not something I want to share with the guards, their dogs, or the commander in chief.”
On a laugh, she gave his hand a gentle squeeze before letting go.
He made a sad face. “I didn’t want you to pull away altogether.”
She threaded her fingers through his, rested their arms on the center console. “On a different subject, how are we gonna handle Tara’s questions?”
“I’ll explain that we can’t discuss our work, and we’d appreciate her discretion.” He pulled up to the guard gate at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue parking entrance.
“Theodore Santini and Sydney Austin for Chief of Staff Evelyn Baker.”
The guard checked. “IDs please.”
They handed them over.
“You’re SWAT, so I’m gonna guess you got weapons.”
“Several,” Tank said.
“Leave your weapons in the vehicle and step out.”
They did as instructed. While two different guards—a man and a woman—checked them for weapons on their person—the canines sniffed every inch of the vehicle.
Sydney noticed that Caroline and Greystone were going through the same thing, ten feet ahead of them.
“Tara thinks I’m Sierra Turner,” Sydney said while they waited for the dogs to finish their jobs.
“What do you feel comfortable with?”
“Telling her my real name.”
Tank acknowledged her with a nod.
“You’re clear to go in,” said the guard. “The weapons stay in the vehicle. You’ll be checked again before you enter the building. You can park over there.” The guard pointed.
They climbed back in and Tank parked behind his brother. They removed their helmets, locked the vehicles. At the entrance, they were re-checked and cleared to enter. The brothers walked ahead. As the sisters fell in line, they shared a smile.
“This is exciting,” Caroline said.
“Look at the Christmas decorations,” Sydney murmured. “Mygod, it’s uh-mazing.”
“So beautiful,” Caroline agreed. “There are trees and decorationseverywhere.”
“It’s crazy, really,” Sydney said. “I’ve never met a President. Not gonna lie… My engine is revved to see the Oval office.”
Caroline chuckled. “Revved? You are perfect for Mr. Wordsmith, Theodore Santini.”
Sydney grinned. “Yes. I. Am.”
They were escorted into the Chief of Staff’s office—where a small, lit Christmas tree filled the corner. Greystone hugged the kind-looking woman in a tailored suit and shoulder-length blonde hair. “How’s it going, Mom?”
Evelyn Baker beamed at him. “All good, Greystone.” Then, she hugged Caroline and finally Teddy.
