After giving him the Arlington address, he slid into rush-hour traffic. As he made his way, he asked her what was going on.
“She spotted someone she’d been tracking for a while,” Sydney said matter-of-factly. “And she followed him.”
“Was she alone?”
“Yes.”
He glanced over at her, and a knowing awareness passed between them.
“Never a good idea,” he murmured.
“I know, right? She texted that she lost him and was going home.” After a brief pause, Sydney said, “I gotta call someone.”
Sydney dialed, put the phone to her ear. “Good morning, sir. I’m sorry to call so early.”
Teddy was surprised at how formal she sounded.
“Naomi texted me around one in the morning, but I didn’t see it until now. She saw number two at Hotel Dillinger and sent me a photo. I’ll text it over to you, real quick.” Her fingersflew over the keyboard. “It doesn’t look like him. What do you think?” She grew quiet while she listened.
Teddy glanced over. Sydney was composed and calm. Truth was, he could stare at her all day. Her sex-tousled hair flowed down her back in soft waves. Her dark eyes were laser-focused on the road while she listened.
“Lorne, I’m five minutes away, and I’m not alone.” After a second, she followed up with, “I got this. I’ll see you when you get there.” She hung up, turned toward Teddy.
“We could be walking into an ambush, so if you’re not comfortable going in?—”
At the red light, Teddy reached into the back seat, pulled over a Kevlar vest. “It’ll be big for you, but you can wear it over your sexy-sexy.”
She laughed. “Nothing like seeing your boss after a wild night with someone new.”
“Where do you work, Sydney?”
No response.
After a beat, she asked, “Where doyouwork, Tank?”
“I run the family restaurant.”
She peered over at him. “Yeah, so I was asking about yourotherjob, the one where you suit up in body armor and have meetings at the White House.”
Silence.
“Okay, so I’m glad we cleared that up,” she quipped as he pulled down the street and GPS announced their arrival.
Teddy parked at the curb in front of the two-story home. “Have you been here before?”
“Yeah, a few times.”
“Does she live alone?”
“Yes.”
“Pets?”
“None.” Sydney stepped outside, set his suit jacket on thepassenger seat. While she pulled on the vest and got busy tightening the straps, he was by her side.
She offered him his suit jacket.
“Wear it.” He helped her into it.