Smoke & Mirrors (13 page)

Sloane sat up. “You were sick? When?”

“This morning. After you left. I didn’t really think anything of it. I was kinda groggy after I woke up.”

Sloane frowned, and Dex sat up. He went when Sloane pulled him onto his lap, followed by a soft kiss to his head. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It only came to me after we talked. I was hungry. It’s weird. I can’t really remember. I must have really been out of it.”

“And Hudson said it’ll pass?”

Dex nodded. “He says it’s my body trying to get used to the thought of you leaving me.”

“But I’m not going for good,” Sloane replied thoughtfully.

“
I
know that, but my body hasn’t gotten the memo.” Dex planted a kiss on Sloane’s shoulder. “It’ll catch up. In the meantime—” He trailed kisses up Sloane’s neck before nipping at his stubbly jaw. “—How about a little more reassurance? You know how
hard
headed I can be.”

Sloane slipped his fingers into Dex’s hair to give it a gentle tug, tilting his head back. His amber eyes glowed wickedly. “You know me. Always happy to help.”

OH MY
God, this suuuucks.

Dex washed out his mouth in the sink before heading for the couch. He and his body were not getting along. Usually they got on like—what was that saying Hudson used? Like a house on fire. That made absolutely no fucking sense to Dex. Surely a house on fire was bad. How was someone’s residence engulfed in flames a good comparison for people getting along? Brits were weird. Then again, Hudson thought the same about Dex. No argument there.

For the last two days after Sloane left for work, Dex had to run to the kitchen where he proceeded to lose the contents of his stomach. Although it wasn’t as bad this morning as the previous days, it still sucked. Why now? Why was he feeling sick now? Everything kept coming back to what happened with Wolf. What if whatever that shit was that he gave Dex triggered something? Did it have to do with his bond to Sloane? It had to. It would explain why he only felt sick when Sloane left for work without him, and why he was so damned horny when Sloane got home. Not that Sloane didn’t normally make him horny, but this was something different altogether.

Dex dropped onto the couch with a huff. Not even his music was cheering him up. He felt like a prisoner in his own home, and he’d never felt that way. He loved his house and never had any trouble entertaining himself. Now he felt caged. He stood and paced. Two days left. How was he supposed to get through another two days? He’d spent a fortune online ordering random crap to keep himself busy. He’d watched movies, read, even masturbated while wearing Sloane’s T-shirt during a particularly intense moment of missing him.

The doorbell rang and Dex sprang from the couch. At this juncture, he’d welcome any distraction. Even Ash. Dex opened the door, and threw his arms out in excitement.

“Cal!”

Calvin gave a start and pulled back a fist, his eyes wide. When he realized it was only Dex, he put his arm down, and let out a heavy sigh. “What the hell, man? You scared the shit out of me.”

“Sorry,” Dex said with a laugh. He moved so Calvin could come in. “Just excited to see another living person.”

“Didn’t you see Sloane this morning before he left for work?”

Dex closed the door and motioned to the living room where he followed Calvin in. “Yeah, but that was this morning. It feels like decades ago. It’s driving me nuts.” He dropped into the armchair, taking note of Calvin’s amused expression.

“Nuts, huh?”

“More so than usual, smarty pants.”

“You okay?” Calvin asked, his expression turning concerned. He sat back against the couch cushions, his sharp blue eyes studying Dex. “You look a little… restless. I mean, you’re normally fidgety, but this is different. How are you holding up?”

“I’m working on it,” Dex admitted. Calvin, like the rest of Destructive Delta, was up to speed on Dex’s recent encounter with the not-so-charming Mr. Wolf. According to Sparks, the team had been called in by Ash after Sloane woke up to find Dex gone. A lump formed in Dex’s throat when he thought about how everyone had dropped everything to support him and Sloane. TIN had escorted most of the team home after Dex had been found, but Sloane insisted they be kept in the loop. There was no telling what might come next, and their friends deserved to know the truth. Especially if there was a chance they might get sucked into the danger.

Calvin gave him a nod. A smile appeared on his face, and he removed his sketchbook from his messenger bag. “I’ve got something for you.”

Excitement rolled through Dex, and he quickly joined Calvin on the couch. “Is it what I think it is?”

“Yep.” Calvin opened his sketchbook, flipping through pages filled with incredible artwork. Some were just rough lines, while others were exceptionally detailed. Dex reached out to stop him from flipping away from one particular page.

“Holy shit, Cal. That’s fucking amazing.”

Calvin’s face flushed, and he gave a shy smile. “Thanks. I could probably draw him in my sleep now.”

Dex was blown away by the detailed sketch of Hobbs. He was lounging on the couch, propped up against a multitude of throw pillows, one long leg bent at the knee, and a book in his hand. He was clearly absorbed in whatever he was reading. The details in his face, hands, and the folds of his clothes were incredible. Dex could see the sparkle in his bright green eyes.

Calvin flipped the page, and Dex gasped. “Is that…. That’s it, isn’t it?”

“What do you think?” Calvin held the book out to him, and Dex took it, his eyes on the gorgeous design. “We can change anything you like or even scrap it and start from scratch.”

Dex shook his head. He was finding it a bit tough to speak past the lump in his throat.

“No, it’s shit? Or no, don’t scrap it?”

Dex swallowed hard. “It’s perfect.”

“Really?” Calvin’s smile went wide. “You sure?”

Dex placed the book on the couch beside him, and turned to face Calvin. “I’m going to hug you now. Sorry, I’ve been doing that a lot to people lately.”

“Um, okay.” Calvin clearly didn’t know what to make of the situation, but he let Dex hug him, even patted his back. He laughed softly as Dex pulled away. “Better?”

“Much. Can I take a picture of it? I’m going to need to stare at it some more. A lot more.”

“It’s going to be on you for the foreseeable future, but go for it.”

Dex removed his smartphone from his pocket and snapped a really good picture. He was so excited he was practically bouncing. The design was gorgeous and exactly what he wanted. He hoped Sloane liked it.

After Dex fanboyed over Calvin some more, they talked a bit more about art, tattoos, and even spoke to Bradley about booking a consultation with the guy who did all his ink. Bradley was almost as excited about the tattoo as Dex was, and cheerfully volunteered to accompany him. Apparently Dekatria could survive one day without him. A couple of hours later, Dex thanked Calvin for coming over. They’d spent most of the day together, talking and laughing. Dex had a great time hanging out with Cal. Maybe the next couple of days wouldn’t be so bad. He had Sloane and his friends to keep him from going stir-crazy.

Feeling better about being indoors and excited about the tattoo he’d be getting on his marked arm, the remaining couple of days went by much quicker. Dex was riled and ready to go. Just one more evening until he was back at work. He’d never been more relieved to be back on the job. But first….

Dex tackle hugged Sloane at the kitchen sink while his partner finished washing up the last of the dinner dishes. “Tomorrow I’m back at work. How about we celebrate tonight? A few drinks out with Ash and Cael.”

“You sure?” Sloane turned in his arms, pulling him in close for a kiss.

“Just a couple of drinks. Cael’s getting antsy. So am I.” Dex never went this long without seeing his little brother or his dad. Come to think of it, Dex was surprised his father hadn’t shown up since the first night Dex had gotten home after the incident. He’d called to check in but seemed to be working late a lot this week. He wasn’t exactly the most patient guy when he was waiting on answers, especially if it concerned Dex or Cael. His dad seemed to be kind of preoccupied lately. Then again his dad was always buried in his work. Maybe he’d mention it to Cael tonight, see what he thought. “Besides, I need to get outside the house for a while. Get my groove on.”

Sloane chuckled. “Okay. Sounds good. You text Cael. I’ll call Ash.”

“They’re probably at Ash’s sucking face anyway,” Dex said with a grimace. He did not need that image in his head. With a spring in his step, Dex grabbed his phone on the way to the bathroom. It was time to resume his regularly scheduled program of bugging his little brother, tormenting Ash, and loving up Sloane. Bring it.

MAYBE THIS
hadn’t been such a good idea.

Dex was his cheerful, playful, energetic self, or that’s what he wanted everyone to believe. Sloane knew better. It was obvious to him that Dex was far from all right. It showed in his subtle reactions. The barely there flinches when a door slammed or glass shattered. The stiff shoulders when someone other than Sloane touched him. When they’d arrived at the bar, Dex hesitated in the doorway, snapping himself out of it when Cael asked if he was okay. Dex’s smile had been wide, but it didn’t reach his bright blue eyes. After Dex walked in, Cael glanced at Sloane, his concern evident. Sloane wasn’t the only one who’d noticed something was wrong.

There was also the glaring fact that Dex had yet to bring up anything about what happened with Wolf. Not just what happened to him physically but what Wolf had revealed. When Sloane had been hurt by Hogan, Dex had run himself ragged, risked his life, his career, everything, all in the name of justice. Now he’d discovered his parents had been killed, murdered, and the reason behind it was in the wind. Sloane had expected Dex to launch a one-man military operation to get to the truth, to find this file and seek justice for his parents. He’d expected Dex to be chomping at the bit, pacing a hole in the floor as he waited to hear back from Sparks about speaking to Shultzon. Nothing. Dex hadn’t even brought it up.

They followed Dex through the busy Saturday-evening crowd, finding a table across the bar, not far from the dance floor. Dex had suggested somewhere other than Dekatria, and after what happened at the last bar they’d gone to where Sloane had almost gone feral after some Therians tried to mess with Dex, Sloane didn’t question the decision.

They took a seat, and Ash picked up the first round. For all of Sloane’s concerns, once he was sitting beside Dex, his arm around his shoulders, he relaxed. It felt good to be out. Sloane hated being cooped up. He couldn’t blame Dex for getting a little stir-crazy after a week indoors. Sloane wouldn’t have lasted that long. Though these days it was easier with Dex at his side. He didn’t feel as restless, and if he felt the urge to leave the house, he asked Dex to come with him. He never wanted time away from Dex. He just needed fresh air, even if it meant going for a jog or a walk around the block.

Ash returned with their drinks, and Sloane thanked him. It was nice to hang out with his family.
Family.
Sloane was caught off guard by his thoughts. Destructive Delta was also his family, but Dex, Cael, Ash, even Maddock, they were
his
family.

“What are you all smiley about?” Dex asked, leaning in to give his jaw a kiss.

Sloane shrugged, the smile not leaving his face. He gave Dex a squeeze. “Nothing. Just happy to be here.”

Ash shook his head sadly at him. “What’s happening to you, man? Now you’re smiling for no reason?” He narrowed his eyes at Dex. “I blame
you
.”

“Me?” Dex folded his arms over his chest and lounged against Sloane. “How do you figure?”

“You’re turning him into a sap.” Ash turned his attention back to Sloane. “That’s sad, bro. Really. Next thing you know you’re picking out color swatches and redoing the kitchen.”

Sloane chuckled. He didn’t have to reply, because he saw the mischievous look Dex got in his pale blue eyes. Sloane braced himself. Dex was moving in for the kill. He looked like a cat waiting to pounce. Dex leaned his elbow on the table and smiled sweetly at Ash.

“How was your trip to Bed Bath and Beyond last week?”

Sloane let out a bark of laughter. “Oh shit. What?”

The more Sloane thought about it, the harder he laughed. Ash had never set foot in one of those places. In fact, Sloane could recall Ash saying something about how he’d rather shave his mane off than be caught shopping anywhere that sold scented candles and potpourri. Ash’s face turned crimson, and he gaped at Cael, who was having trouble meeting his gaze. He innocently sipped his beer, his cheeks pink.

“You told him?”

Cael’s eyes went wide. Sloane knew this trick. He’d seen the brothers pull it off plenty of times. His bottom lip jutted out a fraction, and his voice softened.

“We were talking about bathroom rugs, and it slipped out.”

Ash’s expression softened before he seemed to realize what Cael had said. “Bathroom rugs?” He looked from Cael to Dex and back. “Who the hell talks about bathroom rugs?”

Dex let out a snort. “Normal people.”

Ash jabbed a finger at Dex. “You have no place talking about normal people. You are as not-normal as they come.”

Dex laughed, and Sloane couldn’t help but join him. If Sloane was a sap, Ash wasn’t far behind. Of course, Sloane couldn’t care less about shopping for curtains or bathroom rugs. It was kind of nice. For Ash, it used to be the equivalent of being neutered. His best friend had certainly changed his tune on that front.

“Whatever,” Ash grumbled, throwing an arm around the back of Cael’s chair, all very macho. “I don’t have to justify shit.”

Dex nodded sternly. “Of course not. I’m sure you ended up with something very manly. Like bacon-scented air freshener or gunpowder-scented aftershave, for that ‘just survived an explosion’ fresh feeling.”

The table burst into laughter, and Ash flipped them all off. Dex wiped the tears from his eyes, and Sloane was glad they’d come out. This was just what Dex needed. Ash finished his beer and nominated Dex for the next round. With a salute, Dex jumped to his feet. He motioned for Cael to come with him.