Page 28 of Stryker

“This can’t be happening.”John sank down into the lawn chair. His bewildered gaze foundStryker’s, who was gut punched at the despair in John’seyes.

“What does this all meanfor me? Am I going to change too?”

***

Stryker

He sat down in the chair next to John.“Let me explain what I know about this project. Maybe moreknowledge will help you feel less stressed. Is thatokay?”

John nodded mutely.

“As you know, the NoahProject was all about changing people’s DNA, which resulted ingiving them supernatural gifts of certain kinds. Four people weknow were unwitting participants—Conor, Harris, Jennifer, andFreddie. And now you.” Stryker said grimly. “And this team believeit was their mission to stomp these people out. I believe in fate,forces that lead you to a predetermined destination. And whileeveryone possesses free will, ignoring what fate says is never agood idea.”

“I would have said youwere the type of man who only believed in absolutes,” murmuredJohn. “If you can see it, you can shoot it.”

Stryker smiled at John’s attempt atlightheartedness. Good. The man was relaxing.

“That mission showed menot everything is black and white,” he acknowledged. “And it wasfate that brought me and Brick together, when we discovered we weresecond cousins when teaming up in the SEALs. We aren’t one hundredpercent sure how it happened, and Great-Aunt Sophie isn’t aroundanymore to enlighten us, god bless her, but we believe it becauseDNA tests don’t lie.”

John shook his head and stood, hisbreathing easier now. “It can’t be true I’m part of this project.There’s nothing remarkable about me. I don’t have any gifts likethe others. No special ability. Hell, I can barely breatheproperly.”

“That kinda stems frombeing shot in the lung,” Stryker said drily as he stoodtoo.

“Still, there’s nothingelse to indicate I’m different.”

“We’ll figure this out, Ipromise you,” Stryker said before pulling John close into thesafety of his embrace. “Is this okay with you?”

“Yes. Veryokay.”

The two stood staring at the water fora while before the back door opened and footsteps approached them.Stryker knew who it was by the slight limp from the person’s rightleg.

“I’m sorry to interrupt,guys, but Brick needs Stryker to come back inside for a moment,”Fletcher said. “I’ll stay with John, keep a look out.”

Stryker nodded and let John go. “Okaywith you?”

“Yeah. I’d rather stay outhere anyway.”

As Stryker left, Fletcher casuallytook position behind the smaller man, which Stryker appreciated.His fellow teammate was a man of his word and could be trusted withJohn’s life.

When he returned to the kitchen, thedetective was sitting in a chair surrounded by the team. Bricknodded at Stryker and then looked at Conor. “Please continue. Let’sbring Stryker up to date.”

“Recap,” Conor said.“John’s father and the Russian were responsible for taking down theinitial Noah Project Laboratory.” He gestured at Woodley toconfirm.

“Yes. Along with a taskforce of five other people.”

“Who were the five otherpeople?” Brick asked.

“I’m not willing to sharethat just yet,” the detective protested. “I want to protect theiridentities until I’m sure.”

“Sure about what?” Conorasked sharply.

“That they’re beingtargeted and have been targeted over the last two decades. Also,that you and this team are trustworthy.”

Brick snorted. “You’d better believewe can be trusted. It’s you we’re worried about.” He rubbed hischin thoughtfully. “You think that the task force is beingtargeted?”

“I believe so.”

“What grounds do you havefor believing that? And I don’t care about you keeping secrets—Iwant to know the names of the others on the task force.Now.”

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