Darkest Hour Before Dawn

by Charlie Cochet

Dex's jaw dropped. "What? That's not--are you insane?"

  "Here's a suggestion. How about we kiss and make up. Forget the whole nasty ordeal. I'll forget you hit me with a steel chair, and you forget, you know...." Alfie snapped his fingers as if trying to recall.

  "The part where you tortured me?" Dex finished for him.

  "Yes, that. It was the Makhai who hired me, by the way. In case you hadn't figured it out yet. What do you say?"

  "Um, how about no, and kiss my ass," Dex replied through his teeth.

  "I would prefer more private quarters for that."

  Dex shook his head in disbelief. "Oh my God, he's like a British Austen."

  "I think it's adorable you're comparing me to Sparks's little pet."

  "Watch your mouth," Sloane growled.

  Sloane's calm surprised Hudson, and he wondered if Sloane was simply biding his time or thinking up one of the many ways in which he could make "Wolf" suffer.

  "Ah, so sorry, mate. I forgot you have a soft spot for the little runt." A wicked gleam came onto Alfie's face, one Hudson remembered all too well. He ran his tongue over his bottom lip. "No hard feelings about my kissing your fiance? I couldn't resist. Those lips are just sinful."

  Sloane let out a growl as he made a grab for Alfie, but Seb held him back, a hand to his chest, his green eyes pleading.

  "You've got to be kidding me," Sloane hissed, his amber eyes boring into Seb's. "That asshole tortured Dex!"

  Seb looked to Hudson for help. He was clearly conflicted. Hudson was too. Instead of talking to Sloane, who was glaring daggers at Alfie, Hudson turned to Dex.

  "Please, Dex. I know I have no right to ask this of you, but could I... could I please get some time with him? I'm certain he deserves your wrath, and what he did to you was reprehensible, but he's my brother. I lost him once. I can't lose him again. Not yet."

  Dex cursed under his breath before rubbing his hands over his face and letting out a frustrated grunt. "Fine."

  "Dex--"

  "It's fine, Sloane," Dex assured him, a hand to his cheek. "It's fine. There will be plenty of time to kick his ass later."

  "It's not fine, Dex. The man tortured you. He was going to kill you." Sloane shook his head. "I'm sorry, Hudson, but I can't just turn the other cheek. Wolf might look like your brother, but whoever your brother was, he obviously died at the bottom of the cliff that day." Sloane's hard gaze moved from him to Alfie, and he spoke through his teeth. "That is not Alfie."

  Hudson flinched. He swallowed hard and nodded. "You have every right to feel as you do, Sloane. And maybe you're right. Maybe he's not the brother I remember, but he saved Seb's life, and he saved me from Trent." He turned to Alfie. "That was you, wasn't it?" A thought occurred to Hudson, and his blood ran cold. "You sent those texts to my phone knowing Seb would go after Trent. Why would you do such a thing?"

  Alfie averted his gaze, as if reluctant to say. Seeming to get his thoughts together, he turned his attention back to Hudson. "TIN and the Makhai want you. As much as I loathe to admit it, TIN can protect you. As an asset, you're far too important to lose. Once you're sworn in, the chances of the Makhai getting their hands on you drops significantly. Your man turned TIN down. That was a mistake."

  Seb took a step toward Alfie. "You wanted us to join TIN, so you made sure it happened by using your own brother?"

  Alfie's hard gaze was unwavering as he addressed Seb. "Trent provided the perfect opportunity. He had to pay for what he did to Hudson, and who better to serve that justice than you? I knew you wouldn't kill him, but you weren't above causing him pain. I've been watching you for some time, Sebastian. I know what you're willing to sacrifice for my brother, which is why I didn't use Hudson. I used you. Did you really think TIN wouldn't be watching you? Waiting for the perfect opportunity to bring you in? Why do you think you were picked up by TIN operatives? I set the bait, you took it, and TIN got what they wanted."

  "But...." Dex shook his head, confused. "You hate TIN. Why would you want your brother to join them?" He thrust a finger at Hudson. "We are so having a long conversation about that later, by the way."

  "My relationship with TIN is... complicated," Alfie said, wrinkling his nose.

  "And Trent's friends?" Seb asked. "What did you do with them."

  The speed with which the warmth drained from Alfie's eyes, replaced by a dead coldness that made Hudson shiver, was frightening. "They're rapists and abusers. I simply put them where they belong. With the trash. Or rather, six feet beneath it."

  "Jesus." Sloane shook his head in disbelief. "You see? The man is a fucking sociopath!"

  Alfie let out an indelicate snort. "How very self-righteous. Been there, done that, and all I got was blown up. No thank you. Have fun with TIN. Try not to get stabbed through the heart, or in the back." He put his hand on Hudson's shoulder. "We will talk, little brother. I promise. Right now, I really must dash. The flying monkeys are about to land."

  "You're leaving?" Hudson snatched hold of Alfie's sleeve, surprised when Alfie didn't pull away.

  "Like hell he is," Sloane growled, reaching out to grab Alfie's arm.

  Alfie moved so quick, Hudson barely had a chance to react before Alfie had Sloane's arm pulled up against his back, a knife in his hand against Sloane's throat.

  "Stop," Hudson pleaded with Alfie, only to be ignored.

  "Manners." Alfie tsked at Sloane. "My little brother was speaking to me. It's been an awfully long time, so I'm sure you can understand how frustrating it is to have you interrupt. You boys really need to polish up that etiquette if you're going to work for TIN. Now, will you be a good little boy if I let you go?"

  "Fuck you," Sloane spat out.

  Alfie sighed. He moved his gaze to Hudson. "Forgive me, but I really must go. We'll chat. I'm not going anywhere just yet." He moved the knife and pushed Sloane into Dex before making a run for the stairs heading to the roof garden. They took off after him, but by the time they got up there, he was gone.

  "I fucking hate it when they do that," Dex shrieked before kicking a chair for good measure. Just as Alfie had warned, TIN arrived within seconds, headed by Sparks.

  "Where is he?"

  Dex thrust a hand at the sky. "Your guess is as good as mine."

  She peered at him, and he scoffed.

  "Right, because he was gonna hang around for cake and champagne."

  "What did he say to you?" Sparks asked Dex.

  Hudson clenched his jaw and averted his gaze. Dex had to hand Alfie over. Who knew what horrid things his brother had done. Hudson couldn't blame Dex. He just wished he had a few minutes with Alfie to understand, to know how he'd become what he was.

  "He said those guys were from the Makhai, and that they're the ones who hired him to kidnap and torture me."

  "That's it?" Sparks eyed him. "Wolf showed up to save Hudson and get rid of the Makhai out of the kindness of his blackened heart?"

  Dex shrugged. "I don't know. The guy does whatever he fucking feels like. You know more about him than we do. I'm sure you've got your theories. Care to share them with us?"

  Sparks studied them all before turning on her high heels and heading for the door. "We'll get this place cleaned up. If you see or hear from Wolf again, I expect to be notified."

  "Sure thing," Dex said with a salute.

  "Oh, and, Hudson, Seb, congratulations on your marriage," she called out over her shoulder. "Take the day off. Put in a request for time off for your honeymoon when you're ready."

  Once she was gone, Dex turned to Hudson, speaking quietly. "I'm sorry you're in the middle of this fucked-up situation, and I can't say I'm happy about it, but I understand." He placed a hand on Hudson's shoulder. "I hate the guy. I won't lie. I really hate him. But he saved your life, and Seb's. He's done some things that could be perceived as not entirely shitty. I can't guarantee I won't beat the shit out of him or turn him over to the proper authorities, but I promise you, I won't kill him." Sloane huffed, and Dex chuckled. "And neither will Sloane," Dex added.r />
  "What?" Sloane shook his head, and Dex arched an eyebrow at him. Sloane threw his hands up. "Fine. I won't kill him." He narrowed his eyes. "But I reserve the right to cause him some serious pain."

  Hudson nodded. "Fair enough." His brother had brought that on himself. All he wanted was a chance, a chance he never thought he'd have. "Thank you. Both of you."

  Dex hugged him, and Sloane did the same, patting his back, a soft "I'm sorry" making him feel a little better about what his friends were sacrificing for him. Dex ordered him and Seb to go home, that they'd check on Lou and Bradley and see that the cleaning crew was let in to take care of Dekatria after TIN was gone.

  Seb slipped his hand into Hudson's and led him out of Dekatria. A cab was waiting for them, and inside the car, Hudson snuggled close. He didn't even know where to start. How long had his brother really been around, keeping an eye on him, stepping in without him even realizing it?

  "I think he saved me twice," Seb murmured.

  Hudson held him close. "What do you mean?"

  Seb paused, as if uncertain he should say, but a heartbeat later, he sighed. "The night of Dex and Sloane's engagement party, I was so pissed off when I left that I walked out into the middle of the street without realizing. I would have gotten hit by a speeding car if someone hadn't pulled me back. But whoever it was disappeared before I could get a look at them."

  Hudson pulled back, his heart squeezing in his chest. "Oh God, what if you'd been hit by that car? It would have been my fault."

  "No, baby." Seb cupped his cheek and kissed his brow. "It would have been on me. I let my anger cloud my judgment, and because of it, I put myself in danger. My actions are not your fault. Do you understand?"

  Hudson nodded.

  "I didn't tell you to upset you. I'm thinking that maybe the guy who pulled me back was Alfie. I think he's been keeping an eye on both of us. Things have happened that at the time I couldn't explain, so I just brushed them off. But now that I know he's been around, it all makes sense."

  "So what are you saying?"

  Seb was clearly trying to tell him something but appeared hesitant. "Look, I'm not excusing what the guy has done as Wolf or that he's a different person from who he was as Alfie, but maybe... maybe Alfie isn't completely gone. Maybe you're the only thing that's kept him from losing himself completely."

  He had so much to think about, and he was far too exhausted for that at the moment, but Seb was right. Hudson had a chance to at least speak with Alfie, or what was left of him, and from what he'd witnessed, perhaps there was some hope for them.

  ONCE THEY were in Seb's house, Hudson sat on the couch, with Seb dropping down beside him.

  "So... where do you want to go on our honeymoon? Let's make it somewhere far, far away from here."

  Hudson stared at Seb. He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it. When he opened his mouth again, only a laugh came out. Oh dear heavens, he'd lost his bloody mind. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop laughing.

  Seb pulled him close, his deep laughter warming Hudson's soul.

  "Fuck," Seb said through a laugh, letting his head fall back against the couch as he ran a hand up and down Hudson's arm. "You couldn't make this shit up, Lobito."

  Hudson straddled Seb's lap and cupped his face. His expression fell, and he stroked Seb's cheeks with his thumb. "We almost lost each other today. Let's not make this a habit, ay?"

  Seb wrapped his arms around Hudson's waist, his smile falling away. "I don't think I've ever been so scared. Actually, that's not true. I was fucking beside myself when you were down in that elevator shaft, and in the hospital after you were shot. This time, though, all I kept thinking was that it was too soon. I'd only just gotten you back." Seb took Hudson's hand, the one with his wedding ring, and kissed it. "I wanted more time with my husband. So much more time."

  Hudson kissed him, putting his heart and soul into the kiss, letting him know how much he loved him, how happy he was to be here with him, married to him, bonded to him. Their lives had gone from madness to lunacy, but as long as Seb was with him, it would be all right.

  "I love you so much," he breathed against Seb's lips. He let his forehead press against Seb's.

  "I love you too," Seb replied. "Whatever happens, whatever storms come our way, I will be here, holding your hand, facing it with you. Now let's go upstairs and consummate our marriage, Dr. Hobbs. I'll let you take my temperature with your big, thick thermometer."

  Hudson slinked off Seb's lap and crooked his finger at him. "Before we play doctor, we have a couple of stag nights to make up for."

  "Is that so?" Seb's smile turned sinful as he stood, his eyes filled with fiery lust. "How about I be the predator, and you be the stag?" With a feral growl, he scooped Hudson up and carried him toward the stairs.

  Hudson wrapped his arms around Seb's neck, his heart overflowing with love for his mate, his husband, the man who owned his heart, and everything he was.

  Always yours.

  More from Charlie Cochet

  THIRDS: Book One

  When homicide detective Dexter J. Daley's testimony helps send his partner away for murder, the consequences--and the media frenzy--aren't far behind. He soon finds himself sans boyfriend, sans friends, and, after an unpleasant encounter in a parking garage after the trial, he's lucky he doesn't find himself sans teeth. Dex fears he'll get transferred from the Human Police Force's Sixth Precinct, or worse, get dismissed. Instead, his adoptive father--a sergeant at the Therian-Human Intelligence Recon Defense Squadron otherwise known as the THIRDS--pulls a few strings, and Dex gets recruited as a Defense Agent.

  Dex is determined to get his life back on track and eager to get started in his new job. But his first meeting with Team Leader Sloane Brodie, who also happens to be his new jaguar Therian partner, turns disastrous. When the team is called to investigate the murders of three HumaniTherian activists, it soon becomes clear to Dex that getting his partner and the rest of the tightknit team to accept him will be a lot harder than catching the killer--and every bit as dangerous.

  Sequel to Hell & High Water

  THIRDS: Book Two

  When a series of bombs go off in a Therian youth center, injuring members of THIRDS Team Destructive Delta and causing a rift between agents Dexter J. Daley and Sloane Brodie, peace seems unattainable. Especially when a new and frightening group, the Order of Adrasteia, appears to always be a step ahead. With panic and intolerance spreading and streets becoming littered with the Order's propaganda, hostility between Humans and Therians grows daily. Dex and Sloane, along with the rest of the team, are determined to take down the Order and restore peace, not to mention settle a personal score. But the deeper the team investigates the bombings, the more they believe there's a more sinister motive than a desire to shed blood and spread chaos.

  Discovering the frightful truth behind the Order's intent forces Sloane to confront secrets from a past he thought he'd left behind for good, a past that could not only destroy him and his career, but also the reputation of the organization that made him all he is today. Now more than ever, Dex and Sloane need each other, and, along with trust, the strength of their bond will mean the difference between justice and all-out war.

  Sequel to Blood & Thunder

  THIRDS: Book Three

  New York City's streets are more dangerous than ever with the leaderless Order of Adrasteia and the Ikelos Coalition, a newly emerged Therian group, at war. Innocent civilians are caught in the crossfire and although the THIRDS round up more and more members of the Order in the hopes of keeping the volatile group from reorganizing, the members of the Coalition continue to escape and wreak havoc in the name of vigilante justice.

  Worse yet, someone inside the THIRDS has been feeding the Coalition information. It's up to Destructive Delta to draw out the mole and put an end to the war before anyone else gets hurt. But to get the job done, the team will have to work through the aftereffects of the Therian Youth Center bombing. A skirmish with Coalition
members leads Agent Dexter J. Daley to a shocking discovery and suddenly it becomes clear that the random violence isn't so random. There's more going on than Dex and Sloane originally believed, and their fiery partnership is put to the test. As the case takes an explosive turn, Dex and Sloane are in danger of losing more than their relationship.

  THIRDS: Book Four

  After an attack by the Coalition leaves THIRDS Team Leader Sloane Brodie critically injured, agent Dexter J. Daley swears to make Beck Hogan pay for what he's done. But Dex's plans for retribution are short-lived. With Ash still on leave with his own injuries, Sloane in the hospital, and Destructive Delta in the Coalition's crosshairs, Lieutenant Sparks isn't taking any chances. Dex's team is pulled from the case, with the investigation handed to Team Leader Sebastian Hobbs. Dex refuses to stand by while another team goes after Hogan, and decides to put his old HPF detective skills to work to find Hogan before Theta Destructive, no matter the cost.

  With a lengthy and painful recovery ahead of him, the last thing Sloane needs is his partner out scouring the city, especially when the lies--however well-intentioned--begin to spiral out of control. Sloane is all too familiar with the desire to retaliate, but some things are more important, like the man who's pledged to stand beside him. As Dex starts down a dark path, it's up to Sloane to show him what's at stake, and finally put a name to what's in his heart.

  Sequel to Rise & Fall

  THIRDS: Book Five

  As the fiercest Defense Agent at the THIRDS, Destructive Delta's Ash Keeler is foul-mouthed and foul-tempered. But his hard-lined approach always yields results, evident by his recent infiltration of the Coalition. Thanks to Ash's skills and the help of his team, they finally put an end to the murdering extremist group for good, though not before Ash takes a bullet to save teammate Cael Maddock. As a result, Ash's secrets start to surface, and he can no longer ignore what's in his heart.

  Cael Maddock is no stranger to heartache. As a Recon Agent for Destructive Delta, he has successfully maneuvered through the urban jungle that is New York City, picking up his own scars along the way. Yet nothing he's ever faced has been more of a challenge than the heart of Ash Keeler, his supposedly straight teammate. Being in love isn't the only danger he and Ash face as wounds reopen and new secrets emerge, forcing them to question old loyalties.