Page 11 of Into the Shadows

“What’s the big news you wanted to tell us?” Gia asks.

“I should wait for Wesley to get back. Let’s get drinks and chat while we wait. How’s your podcast going? I listen to every episode.”

We spend the next hour talking, catching up on all the little things we’ve missed. Ryan and Michael, join us, sitting on the floor in front of the couch. Even though we FaceTime regularly, it’s not the same as being able to talk in person. More of our family shows up to the party. Ginny gets pulled away multiple times because everyone wants to check in with her.

I’m beginning to think Wesley ran away since he hasn’t returned. I’ve only met him one other time, when he and Ginny first started dating. That was almost a year ago now. I freeze as dots connect in my head. I think I know what they’re going to announce.

“Hey, everybody.” Ginny taps on the side of her plastic cup to get our attention. The room falls silent in a heartbeat. “I didn’t think that would work so well.” Her laugh is self-deprecating. Wesley strides into the room to put his arm around Ginny’s shoulders. “Wesley and I wanted to share our big news with you first before it gets announced in the papers. We’re getting married.” The whole room shouts in surprise. A wide smile begins to grow on Ginny’s face at the reaction. Wesley runs a hand down Ginny’s spine as he smirks at her.

I glance over at Carson. He looks crestfallen while everyone else is excited for the couple. He visibly shakes it off and forces a smile. Without thought, I moveto his side and wrap my arms around his waist in a show of silent support. None of us care much for Wesley, but we want Ginny to be happy. If this is what she wants, then we’re going to support her full-heartedly.

Chapter 6

Teddy

“I’m out.” I throw my cards down on the floor.

“Come on, T. You’re not gonna fight for it?” Kyle teases me.

I roll my eyes. “Fight for what? We’re playing for Life Savers.”

The guys laugh while Kyle pouts. “Fine. Oscar, are you going to stay in?”

“Why not?” He shrugs.

Kyle finishes the hand, winning the pot as I knew he would. We might be playing for candy, but I’m not about to give up my stash for Kyle-the-card-shark to steal. When I quit smoking, I gained a candy addiction instead. It started with suckers because it gave me a similar feeling as a cigarette, but now, any hard candy will do.

I stand, a groan slipping out. I’m too fucking old to sit on the floor anymore. How these young guys get me to do this shit still eludes me.

I head to the kitchen of our safe house to find a snack. We’ve been here for four months, waiting for our target to show. He likes to bring his mistress to the house next door.Most of the time, he sends her home before leaving himself. Our job is to move in during that short window when she’s gone and he hasn’t left yet.

Instead of a snack, I pour myself a cup of coffee. Outside the window over the sink, the mountains create a picturesque scene. If we weren’t here for the reasons we are, I’d enjoy the landscape a little more.

I’d planned to have gotten out by now. I had a letter drafted after our last mission went sideways, but something stopped me from pulling the trigger. This life is all I’ve ever known. If I don’t have this, what do I have?

“We’ve got movement,” Victor says through our radio. I head into the bedroom we’ve been using to spy on our target and pick up a pair of binoculars.

Three black SUVs have pulled up to our target’s house. The first holds four guards, each with their eyes on their surroundings. Our target gets out of the back of the second one and walks straight for the house while more guards get out of the third SUV.

“Something isn’t right,” I murmur.

“Doesn’t the mistress normally come, too?” Victor asks.

“She should’ve been in one of the SUVs.”

“Did we walk into a trap?”

“I don’t know. Stay vigilant. I want to know their every movement.”

“Copy that.” Victor keeps his eyes trained on the house.

I gather the rest of the team and fill them in on what’s happening. “This is our only chance to get at our target. We’re going in regardless, but adjustments need to be made.”

“I’ll work on contingencies,” Kyle offers.

I nod. “Oscar, help Kyle. The rest of you, prepare to move at a moment’s notice. We may need to go in without warning.” I also assign shifts to watch our target. Twenty-four-hoursurveillance is a given, but now it’s even more imperative we stay vigilant.

The team nods and goes their separate ways. I go back to Victor for an update. The guards have set up a perimeter around the house. Either they know we’re here, or the target is preparing for a meeting with someone.

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