“If I get a coupla hours shut-eye, I’ll be happy,” Teddy replied as a very sexy and very naked Sydney popped into his thoughts.
Focus up.
Standing at the expansive center island, Sean forked a pieceof cake into his mouth, grew silent as he chewed. “This is so good, Evvy.”
She smiled at him. “I tell you, honey, sugar is the cure for whatever aches.”
“Amen,” Teddy said, and everyone laughed.
“I have a theory,” Sean said as Evelyn slid over a mug filled with just-brewed joe. After sipping, he continued. “The terror cell has targeted BLACK OPS to move themoutof the way. Once they do that, they’re going after the eagle. If I put myself in their mindset, I would take out the President in the most public place possible.”
Teddy forked a piece of cake into his mouth. As the pineapple entered his system, he got an energy hit, which he followed up with a sip of coffee.
Seconds later, he blurted, “No fucking way.”
Ah, crap.
He wanted to do a face-plant. Addressing Evelyn, he said, “Excuse me, ma’am.”
On a chuckle, Evelyn patted his back. “I work in the White House and I’m married to Sean Baker. I’ve heard the F-bomb plenty of times.”
Their brief moment of levity did little to ease the intensity of the situation. The truth was too soul crushing to ignore.
“Sean, do you think they’re gonna strike at the President’s inauguration?” Teddy asked.
“Fuck,” Greystone bit out. “Fuck, fuckfuck!” Greystone slammed his fist on the island.
And that’s when Teddy knew they’d figured out a huge piece of the puzzle. He fastened his gaze on Greystone as his older brother’s eyes grew stone cold.
Teddy scooped a spoonful of vanilla ice cream into his mouth. As the flavor danced on his tongue, he ran through Sean’s theory.
It makes perfect sense.
“Election day is tomorrow, right?” Teddy confirmed.
The color had drained from Evelyn’s face. “Yes.”
Teddy eyed each of them. “One of the terrorists told me, ‘You will die. Then, we kill your team. When you are all dead and gone, we are going after thebigone. The one where we bring America to its fucking knees. Death and destruction to America.’” Hit after hit of adrenaline pounded through Teddy. “They plan to take him out during the swearing in… outside in front of a live crowd of tens of thousands while the world watches from the comfort of their living room sofas.”
“God, no.” Evelyn shuddered in a breath. “We have to move the ceremony inside.”
“No,” Teddy pushed back. “This convo cannot leave this room. I have—” he did the math in his head— “eleven weeks to find nine men and take them out.” A growl shot out of him. “We have no idea where they are, but my gut tells me they’re hiding in plain sight.”
“I can’t sit on this,” Evelyn pushed back. “The inauguration is months in the planning. Regardless of who wins, we can’t just suddenly move it indoors.”
Greystone put his arm around Evelyn. “Mom, you gotta give Teddy a minute to work this out. If the ceremony moves inside, it does.” He regarded Teddy. “Dakota trusted me with BLACK OPS. I trust you with this mission. Wewillfigure it out.”
“Just know, I can’t sit on this forever,” Evelyn said.
“You won’t have to,” Teddy said with conviction.
Determination ran deep in his bones. He was a Santini. He’d been an assassin for longer than he cared to admit. Taking out the scum of the earth was in his DNA.
Teddy needed to lighten the mood. The somber moment was sucking the life out of their lovely dinner party, so in true Teddy form, he said, “Mom, I’d love another slice of cake, please.”
Relieved laughter filled the room, but it was the wink fromhis big brother that meant the most. Deep down, Teddy knew Greystone was right. They would figure it out. Wasn’t the first time he’d been on the hunt. Wouldn’t be the last.
“Tank, why don’t you plan to come over again… and soon,” Evelyn said as she added a healthy piece of pineapple cake to his plate.
