Smoke & Mirrors (6 page)

“Hey, beautiful.” Sloane reached over to brush Dex’s hair away from his brow.

Dex tried to smile, but it quickly turned into a moan. An involuntary tear rolled down his cheek, and Sloane tenderly brushed it away with his thumb.

“Hi,” Dex croaked. He coughed and sucked in a sharp breath.

“Easy there, sweetheart. Want some water?”

Receiving a nod from Dex, Sloane poured some water into a plastic cup, then held it to Dex’s lips. Dex sipped slowly. When he gave a nod, Sloane returned the cup to the tray. Bringing his chair closer, he leaned in and gently placed his hand to Dex’s head. He had to smile, because if he didn’t….

“You really need to stop getting yourself kidnapped. I got enough gray hairs.”

Dex’s smile made little creases at the corners of his eyes. “They look sexy.”

Sloane chuckled. “That may be, but I’d like to keep them at bay as long as I can.”

“I’m sorry I scared you.”

“Scared me? If that whole nine-lives thing were true, I’d have lost at least eight of them when I found you gone.”

“I’m sorry.”

Dex’s breath hitched as he struggled to keep himself together. Sloane soothed him as best he could.

“It wasn’t your fault.”

“Sparks said I was gone two days.”

Sloane nodded, but he couldn’t bring himself to elaborate. They’d been the longest two days of his life. Fear was as familiar to Sloane as heartache, but with Dex, it was a whole other level of fear. He’d fought to keep his thoughts from being consumed with what-ifs and worst-case scenarios. What would he do without Dex’s smile? Without his rich laughter and boyish antics? Sloane had almost gone feral back at the house. Sparks’s operatives had been right to subdue him.

“I’m just so happy to see you,” Sloane whispered, his voice faltering. He cleared his throat, telling himself it was okay now. Dex was safe, back in his arms. It could have been worse. So much worse.

“He killed them, Sloane. That son of a bitch Shultzon had them killed.”

Tears pooled in Dex’s eyes, and the moment his face crumpled, Sloane was sitting on the edge of the bed pulling Dex into his arms. He held him close, rocking him gently and running a hand soothingly over his back as Dex buried his face against Sloane’s neck. Even if Dex had considered his parents’ death as being more than an accident, it was different having it confirmed. Wolf wasn’t to be trusted, but he had no reason to lie. He’d simply validated what Dex believed all along. It was as if Dex were grieving all over again. All Sloane could do was hold him and comfort him, offer him whatever he needed.

When the sniffling ebbed, Dex pulled back, a small smile on his face. “Sorry, I’m just exhausted.”

“Don’t apologize. You have no idea how happy I am to see you. When I woke up and found you gone….” Sloane brought Dex against him, his fingers slipping into Dex’s hair as he held the man he loved, assuring himself this was real, Dex was real and back in his arms where he belonged. Sloane inhaled deeply, hating that Dex’s scent was mixed with a hint of blood and someone else. Most likely Wolf. They’d cleaned him up as best they could, but the blood especially…. Sloane could still smell it. He instinctively rubbed his cheek against Dex’s hair.

“Hey, it’s okay. I’m here.” Dex pulled back and edged over before patting the mattress beside him.

Sloane very carefully lay down on the Therian-sized bed with him. He gently snuggled close, careful not to press against Dex too hard. Who knew how much bruising he had underneath the disposable scrubs? Dex let his head rest against Sloane’s shoulder, and a deep sense of calm washed over Sloane.

“How pretty do I look?”

Sloane swallowed hard. “Beautiful.”

“It could have been worse.”

“I try not to think about that.” Sloane closed his eyes, a quiet rage flooding through him, one so fierce it was almost calming. “We’ll find whoever’s responsible for all this. I promise you.” And when they did, Sloane would make them bleed. He’d show them pain, show them a hell they’d never experienced.

Dex snuggled up as close as he could with a heart-wrenching sigh, one Sloane felt down to his bones.

“I can’t feel anything,” Dex said softly. “I don’t think it’s hit me yet.”

“When it does,” Sloane murmured, kissing the top of Dex’s head, “I’ll be right beside you to help you through it.” Shock affected people differently. There was no telling when it would hit Dex. Being THIRDS agents meant they were more prepared than the average citizen, but it didn’t mean they were any less affected by trauma. All Sloane could do was be ready for when it hit Dex and make sure he offered Dex all the love and support he needed to get through it.

“How’s Cael? Is he okay?”

“He’s better, now that you’re safe. He wants to talk to you when you’re back home and settled.”

Dex let out another heart-wrenching sigh. “He must have been so scared.”

“He had a panic attack.”

“Shit, I need to make sure he’s okay.”

Dex tried to get up, only to have Sloane hold him firmly but gently in place.

“He is. Ash was there. He got him through it and hasn’t left his side since. He’s taking Cael home to his place.”

Dex nodded, the tension falling from his shoulders. “I never thought I’d see the day I’d be grateful for Ash Keeler. Must be a leap year or something.”

Sloane chuckled. “You two are adorable.”

Dex let out a snort. “I’m going to tell him you said that.”

“This whole ‘we hate each other’ thing you two got going on. It’s cute.”

“I do hate him,” Dex grumbled.

“Uh-huh. Sure you do.”

Dex pulled away to arch an eyebrow at him. “Shouldn’t you be comforting me?”

Sloane held back a laugh at Dex’s serious pouting. Thank goodness his sense of humor remained intact. “Sorry.”

“I expect lots of comfort.”

Sloane smiled, his lips brushing Dex’s temple. “All the comfort is yours.”

“Will you make me hot chocolate when we get home?”

“You bet.”

“With whipped cream?”

“And marshmallows. And powdered chocolate from Belgium,” Sloane added, his heart squeezing when Dex laced their fingers together, the bandages around Dex’s fingers faintly scraping against Sloane’s skin, making certain he couldn’t forget for even a moment.

Dex yawned, his voice sleepy. “In my magic lightsaber mug?”

“Of course. How else would a Jedi knight drink his hot cocoa?”

“I think I’ll keep you.”

Sloane chuckled. “I appreciate that.”

In a matter of seconds, Dex was fast asleep. Knowing there were armed guards outside the door and a small army of TIN Therian operatives were walking around the place, Sloane closed his eyes and slept.

Sometime later, Sloane was woken up by Dex’s low growl. He opened his eyes to find Dex glaring at Sparks, who stood at the end of the bed looking frustrated.

“Bullshit. If anyone knows anything about a file, it’ll be him.”

“No,” Sparks insisted. “We keep Sergeant Maddock out of this.”

“He was the closest thing to family my parents had. If anyone knows—”

“Dex, we have to tread carefully here. Hogan, Fuller, Pearce…. None of them can compare to what we’re up against. Wolf doesn’t work for just anyone. He works for government organizations, for the kind of people who can make your loved ones disappear. Right now, Tony isn’t on Wolf’s radar. He’s a sergeant, and a high-profile officer for the THIRDS. The risk of being exposed would be too great for Wolf, unless you give him a reason to move on Tony. You bring your father into this, you make him a target. Is that what you want?”

Dex let out a grunt. “Then what?”

“Like I said. Let me make arrangements for you to talk to Shultzon. Maybe he’ll open up to you and Sloane.”

“Fine. But if we don’t get the answers we need, we’ll be having this discussion again.”

Sparks nodded. “I assume you agree, Sloane?”

Sloane sat up and ran a hand through his hair. “What Dex said.”

“Very well.”

The door opened, and several Therians in lab coats entered with an array of equipment.

“What the hell is this?” Sloane glowered at the expressionless operatives. Hadn’t Dex been through enough? How many more tests did they need? And what were the tests even for?

“We’re going to run some final tests to make sure Dex is ready to be released. I’ll make contact as soon as arrangements have been made.”

Meaning Shultzon wasn’t on-site. Who knew how many bases of operation TIN had or how far the organization stretched?

“When will I get the results of these tests?” Dex asked as one doctor wheeled over a stainless steel cart with equipment Sloane had never seen before.

“We’ll be in touch,” Sparks replied before leaving the room.

“I hate this clandestine bullshit,” Sloane grumbled as he climbed off the bed.

Dex looked thoughtful, but he didn’t share those thoughts with Sloane.

Sloane never paced. At least he didn’t used to. Lately, thanks to his feral half, he found himself doing it frequently. His inner Felid seemed to be in a constant state of restlessness. Watching his mate being poked and prodded certainly didn’t help. What the hell was taking so long? Just how many tests did they plan on doing? Sloane was surprised Dex had any blood left with everything they drew. Dex didn’t complain, though that was likely due to the constant supply of cookies and orange juice.

Hours later, TIN was conducting one final health check on Dex before releasing him, but they appeared incapable of doing it without manhandling him. All Sloane wanted was to take Dex home so he could keep him close and safe. That was his goal above all else.

One operative checked Dex’s pupils while another inspected Dex’s bare torso. Why the hell was it necessary for them to have Dex stand there in nothing but his blue boxer briefs? Sloane flexed his fingers as he paced, his narrowed gaze on the dark-haired Therian running his hands down Dex’s back. In two strides, Sloane was beside the operative and snatching a hold of his wrist.

“The bruises on his ass haven’t gone anywhere since you last checked fifteen minutes ago,” Sloane snarled.

The handsome young Therian tugged his wrist free from Sloane’s grip, his lips pressed in a thin line.

“We’re almost done, Agent Brodie,” a female TIN operative offered gently.

“You were almost done three hours ago.” Sloane was losing what little patience he had left.

“I’m okay,” Dex assured him, a small smile on his face. Returning Dex’s smile, Sloane went back to pacing and supervising Dex’s tests. An hour later they were finally released and dropped off at their house by TIN operatives. Sloane had a bout of uncertainty on the way home, wondering if it was such a good idea after all, but Dex refused to go anywhere else. According to TIN, the house was secure. It was safe for them to return, and a team would be on constant surveillance. Despite all the assurances, Sloane offered one last time as he unlocked the front door.

“You sure you don’t want to accept Ash’s invitation to stay at his place? He’s perfectly cool staying with Cael while we use his apartment.”

Dex shook his head. “This is our home. I won’t let anyone take that away from us.”

“Okay.” Sloane gave the top of his head a kiss before walking in first. He listened for any sounds that shouldn’t be there, his Therian vision helping him see into the dark living room before he switched on the lights.

“What the—”

Everything was exactly where it should be, nothing broken, splintered, or torn.

Dex walked over to the couch and picked up a throw pillow. “I’m guessing the place didn’t look like this when I was taken?”

“No, it didn’t. Must have been TIN.”

Sloane tried his best not to hover, but he was worried about Dex. Whatever his partner needed, Sloane would make sure he received it. Now he just had to figure out what it was Dex needed. It was hard to get a read on Dex. He walked around the living room, looking everything over but not seeming to really see anything in particular, at least not until he spotted his iPod on the dock over the mantle. Sloane’s heart squeezed tight as Dex briskly crossed the room to check it, scrolling through what Sloane assumed were his many playlists. He gave a curt nod.

“It’s all there,” Dex said with a smile. “How about a little rock? I feel like some Blue Öyster Cult.”

The strumming of a guitar and haunting melody of “Don’t Fear the Reaper” floated through the speakers. Dex tapped his foot and bobbed his head, his eyes closed as he absorbed the music. He sang along softly as he played his imaginary guitar through the living room. Sloane’s heart ached at Dex’s choice of song. He took a step forward, then stopped. Dex was in no condition to be exerting himself like that, but if this was what he needed, Sloane would go along with it.

During the guitar solo, Dex headed into the kitchen, and Sloane followed. He grabbed himself a bottle of water from the fridge as Dex searched through the drawers, the cutlery one getting stuck when he tried to close it.

“They could have at least fixed this stupid thing while they were at it. Damn drawer still jams.”

Dex pushed it in, his jaw muscles working when it didn’t budge. Sloane took note of the subtle changes in the air around Dex, saw him tense. He turned just as Dex yanked the drawer out before shoving it back in, and when it didn’t budge, he drove the drawer in with all his strength, the wood splintering.

“Dex.”

Dex fought with the drawer, each jab harder than the last. The rattling cutlery pierced the quiet before the next song started, and the drawer handle cracked off. Dex was about to kick it when Sloane threw his arms around him.

“Dex, listen to me.”

Dex fought against him before his body went slack and he became deadweight, dropping to his knees with Sloane following him to the floor. He brought Dex into his embrace, rocking him gently and soothing him, his heart breaking. Dex buried his face against Sloane’s shoulder, his fingers digging into Sloane’s biceps.

“It’s okay, baby. It’ll be okay.”

Dex’s fingers tightened their grip, his body trembling. It was starting to sink in. Sloane had wondered how long it would take. With Dex there was no knowing. All Sloane could do was take care of him as best he could.