Rise & Fall

by Charlie Cochet

  There was no point in arguing. Lieutenant Sparks had made up her mind, and nothing Dex could say would change it. Her argument was sound but didn’t change the way Dex felt about it. Feeling annoyed and pissed off, he opened his mouth before thinking.

  “And the decision to withhold vital medical information that nearly killed Sloane? Whose decision was that?”

  Something flashed in Sparks’s steel blue eyes, and Dex realized only too late he’d stuck his foot in it. Again.

  “Agent Daley, I highly recommend you use caution when challenging decisions against your superiors. The Chief of Therian Defense is not a patient Therian. I understand your anger and frustration. Agent Brodie is your partner, and I hope you believe me when I say I fight tooth and nail to protect my agents. However, I will remind you there is an order to things. One we may not understand or agree with, but necessary nonetheless. I assure you, the decision did not come lightly.”

  In other words, Sparks had no say in the matter. It hardly eased his mind or made it any less fucked-up, but the last thing he wanted to do was piss off his lieutenant. With a curt nod, he got up and headed for the door when Sparks called out to him.

  “Oh, and you’ll be receiving a call from PR. They’d like to set up a meeting to discuss possible campaigns. I approved the request. It’ll be good for you and the department in light of recent events. Plus it’ll keep your mind off the case.”

  Are you fucking kidding me? He turned to her and mustered up a smile. “Sure.” He excused himself and left before he could explode. They’d taken him off the case, but they wanted him to go out there, smile, put on the charm, and tell everyone how awesome and shiny everything was? This day was getting better and better.

  He headed for the locker room in Unit Alpha. It would be a lot less crowded than the one down in Sparta’s training bays. At least he wouldn’t have to worry about training for a while, though he should probably make use of the free gym membership the THIRDS provided. With Sloane staying with him, Dex had no doubt his partner would attempt to convince him to swap his yummy snacks for something healthy. When had vegetables become a snack? It was bad enough they’d forced their way onto dinner plates, now they wanted to take over snack time too? He was so lost in his thoughts he almost ran right into Seb.

  “Shit. Sorry, man.”

  “No problem, Dex. I was coming to find you. I gave you clearance to access the intel on Leith in case you needed to add any additional information.” Seb gave him a sympathetic smile. “If you need anything at all, I’m here to help.”

  “Thanks.”

  It was easy to forget Hobbs had older brothers since Dex rarely ever saw Hobbs in their company. Then again, the last time the three brothers had been in the same room, it had been a complete clusterfuck, and Hobbs had been unconscious. There was a lot of bad blood between Rafe—the eldest of the brothers—and Seb. It didn’t help that Rafe was an even bigger asshole than Ash. Was it even possible?

  The resemblance between Seb and Ethan Hobbs was clear, from their bright green eyes with smile lines at the corners to their jet black hair—though Seb’s was interspersed with some silver here and there—and their chiseled jaws. Both were rugged, friendly, and huge, with Seb somehow being even bigger than his little brother. Tiger Therians were the biggest of the Felid Therians. They weighed a goddamn ton in both Human and Therian forms thanks to all the muscle mass. Dex had learned a hell of a lot about the larger Felid Therians since joining the THIRDS, and from being partnered with one. Enough to know it was in his best interest to remain alert around them. They could go from sweet and cuddly to tear-your-throat-out pissed off in seconds. Like they had two personalities. One loved you, and the other would make a meal out of you. And not in a good way. Cheetah Therians were different. They reminded Dex more of Canid Therians. They had plenty of Felid qualities, but they were more affectionate, less confrontational, and more laid back.

  “I’m really sorry, Dex. You know I wouldn’t have asked for this.”

  Seb’s apology took Dex aback. This was a big opportunity for the guy. “I know, man. It’s okay. Congrats on the promotion.”

  “Thank you. I swear we’ll get Hogan.” Seb’s expression turned determined, and Dex appreciated his conviction, but it didn’t make him feel any better.

  “I know.” With a reassuring smile, Dex went on his way.

  It wasn’t Seb’s fault he’d been assigned the Hogan case. Years of obscurity after his fall from grace and a transfer from Destructive Delta, Seb was finally putting that part of his past behind him. He’d been handed his own team and a high-profile case. Good for him. Dex just wished it hadn’t been this case. Seb was a good agent, and Dex trusted him, but Destructive Delta should be the one bringing Hogan in.

  There were few agents in the locker room at this time of morning. Everyone was either out in the field or behind their desk. Dex hung his uniform shirt in his locker and stilled when it finally sank in. His team was off the case. Someone else was going after Beck Hogan. There was no telling what would happen. What if the guy decided to make a run for it? What if Hogan changed his mind and decided to cut his losses and disappear?

  Anger and frustration boiled up inside him until he couldn’t keep it in anymore. It tore through him with a fierce cry, and he slammed his locker door so hard it rattled the whole wall. It wasn’t enough. That son of a bitch was out there. First the THIRDS kept vital information to themselves, nearly killing Sloane, and now this? What if it had been Cael or one of their Human teammates? What if they’d been on leave to attend another funeral?

  With an enraged shout, Dex kicked at his locker before repeatedly jerking the door open and slamming it shut, each time with more force in an attempt to smash it to shit. He was vaguely aware of fellow agents hovering around him, but he didn’t care. His pulse was through the roof, and his face felt like it was on fire as he continued to beat the ever-living crap out of the inanimate object before him. An iron grip clamped down over his arm, and he spun on his heel, bringing his fist with him. He missed. A pair of tree-trunk arms wrapped around him, crushing him up against a hard body. What the fuck? Dex tried to struggle, his face pressed against someone’s chest when he heard soft words whispered by his ear.

  “It’s okay.”

  Dex stilled. He knew that voice, yet he was certain he’d never actually heard it so clearly before now. How was that possible? Shifting his head back slightly, he spotted the agent’s name embroidered on his uniform.

  E. Hobbs.

  “Hobbs?” The arms around him gave a squeeze, and something inside Dex burst. He clung on to Hobbs and buried his face against his chest. A large hand came to rest on the back of Dex’s head as he was held tight. Dex completely deflated. He allowed himself to be held onto, to be supported by his much larger teammate. He didn’t know how long he stood in Hobbs’s embrace, but when he pulled back, his face was hot and flushed, both from his little outburst and embarrassment. He took a seat on the bench in front of his locker, his gaze on his boots. Hobbs sat down beside him. Around them, the locker room was eerily silent with everyone having vacated the premises. If they didn’t think he was crazy before, they probably did now.

  “Sorry. I don’t know what came over me,” Dex muttered.

  Hobbs wrapped his arm around Dex’s shoulder. “S’Okay.”

  Damn. Two sentences—sort of—in a span of five minutes. Dex cast Hobbs a wary glance. “I’m not losing my mind, am I? You spoke to me.”

  Hobbs nodded, a shy smile coming onto his face. He shrugged his shoulders. “We’re friends. I like you.”

  Dex stared at him. His mouth hung open, and he quickly closed it. The last thing he wanted was to make Hobbs feel even more self-conscious. Instead, he returned Hobbs’s smile. “You’re right. We are friends. And I like you too, big guy. Thanks for stepping in. Security probably would have come to cart my ass away at any moment.”

  Hobbs frowned and shook his head. “I wouldn’t have let them.”

  “Thank
s.” It was amazing how simply sitting next to Hobbs made him feel more at ease. Considering how much silence usually surrounded the guy, Dex was surprised he never felt the need to fill it. Hobbs gave off a strange peaceful vibe. In no time, Dex felt his pulse steady and his anger subside. He looked around the now empty locker room. “Where’s your best bud?” The two were usually inseparable. Calvin never went anywhere without his pal. Man, it was like everyone he knew was having relationship drama. Except for his dad, come to think of it. He couldn’t even remember the last time Tony went out on a date. He wasn’t one to meddle in his dad’s love life, or lack thereof, but he wanted to see Tony happy. If anyone deserved it, it was his dad. Hobbs let out a heavy sigh, drawing Dex’s attention.

  “He went home.”

  “What’s going on with you two?” Dex made sure the locker room was empty before bringing it up. “Come on. It’s just you and me in here.” He’d been concerned about his teammates since they met. From the beginning they’d seemed off their game; even Rosa had made a comment to Dex in regards to it. Months later, and they were still tiptoeing around each other.

  Hobbs gave him a shrug. “Nothing.”

  “Don’t give me that. I was there in your hospital room, remember? Playing tonsil hockey with your best bud isn’t nothing. Pining and pouting and looking absolutely miserable isn’t nothing.”

  Hobbs removed his arm from around Dex to clasp his hands together, his green eyes filled with worry. For such a big scary Therian, Hobbs was terribly sweet at times. These two really needed to get their shit together. “I’m scared.”

  “Of what?”

  A long-suffering sigh escaped Hobbs, and Dex felt for him. “Losing him.”

  “Have you guys ever fought before? Like really fought?”

  Hobbs let out a scoff. “Yeah.”

  “And he’s still here isn’t he?”

  Hobbs nodded. He seemed to be thinking hard on something. “But he’s my best friend. He’s always been my best friend. What if being together messes that up?”

  “You can be lovers and best friends,” Dex hoped his voice hadn’t sounded as sappy as he thought it had.

  “Like you and Sloane?”

  Dex almost fell off the bench. “What?” Oh shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. What? How? Way to play it cool, Daley.

  Hobbs rolled his eyes before poking Dex in the ribs. “We’re not stupid.”

  “We? Who else knows?” And why hadn’t he heard anything about it? He was always in everyone’s hair, especially his teammates’. He could rattle off what Rosa had for breakfast, or the new outfit Letty had bought for her date with Dimples the Firefighter, or the last comic book movie Calvin had fanboyed over. What the hell?

  Hobbs nodded. “Cal, Rosa, and Letty.”

  “Shiiiit.” And here he thought they were being super-awesome secret agents at hiding their relationship. God, this day just went from shitty to all out fucktastic. What if Sparks knew, and that was why she’d pulled them from the case? What if she was using it as an excuse to break their team apart? What if she’d been typing up his transfer when he’d walked into her office? “Oh God, I think I’m gonna be sick.” He doubled over, and Hobbs gently patted his back.

  “No one else knows,” Hobbs assured him.

  “How do you know? If you guys figured it out, what’s to stop anyone else from doing the same? We’re surrounded by government agents. They’re not stupid either, Hobbs. For all we know, they might have fucking cameras installed in their eyeballs or something.”

  “They don’t know Sloane or you like we do. Besides, everyone’s too busy with their own secrets. Nina’s sleeping with Rafe.”

  Dex’s jaw nearly became unhinged. “Holy donut holes, Batman! You can’t drop shit like that on my lap!” Holy shit. “Your brother’s sleeping with Nina? No offense, but your brother’s a dick. Dare I say it? I think he’s a bigger dick than Ash.”

  Hobbs grimaced. “You’re not wrong.”

  “What the hell does Nina see in him?”

  Hobbs shrugged. “He can be nice sometimes. He’s nice with her.”

  “Does Hudson know? Shit, does Seb know?” Rafe never missed an opportunity to condemn Seb for getting kicked off of Destructive Delta. And Hudson’s reaction to Rafe’s name alone, back when he’d come to visit Cael at the hospital after the Youth Center bombing, spoke volumes of the tension between the three of them. And now Hudson’s partner was sleeping with the enemy. The guy definitely had a talent for rubbing people the wrong way.

  Hobbs shook his head. “Nina feels bad, but she really likes Rafe. It happened during a case.”

  “How long has this been going on?” Dex had to give the pair credit. He chatted to Nina all the time and never once did he get even the tiniest hint she was involved with someone. Nina was friendly and playful. She teased her fellow agents and laughed with them. And Rafe… well, luckily Dex had little interaction with Rafe, but never in a million years would he have guessed the guy was sleeping with Nina. The guy was like he’d said. A dick.

  “Four months.”

  “Fuck me. And Hudson really has no clue?”

  Hobbs shook his head. “They’re careful. Nina doesn’t want to hurt Hudson.”

  This whole situation didn’t bode well. Since Nina and Rafe were on different squads, there was no risk of one of them being transferred. The risk was to Nina and Hudson’s personal and professional relationship, which still complicated matters. How long could she keep it a secret? At least Dex didn’t have to worry about how his teammates felt about him and Sloane. They all cared about each other. They were a family. A somewhat incestuous family it would seem. And sure, they bitched, fought, and drove each other bonkers, but in the end, they looked out for one another.

  Their loyalty touched Dex. None of them had brought it up or so much as dropped a clue they knew. They carried on as if nothing had changed. He wondered what other surprises the day had in store for him.

  “When did you guys figure it out? About us, I mean.”

  Hobbs thought about it. “The first karaoke night. When you were on stage singing.” He dropped his gaze to his fingers, his cheeks flushed. “The way Sloane looked at you. And his smile. He has this special smile just for you. Like you’re the only one who matters.”

  “Really? Sloane looks at me like that?” Dex didn’t know how to feel, other than stupidly, ridiculously happy. Like doing cartwheels and punching the air like one of those ridiculous training montages in the movies. He loved the way Sloane looked at him and smiled, but he’d assumed it was his partner’s warmth shining through. Oh, he saw the affection, but he never thought it was a look Sloane had just for him.

  “Yeah. Like you’re the most amazing thing he’s ever seen.”

  Dex gave Hobbs a playful nudge. “You mean like how Cal looks at you?” The blush on Hobbs’s cheeks deepened, and Dex found himself chuckling. “Yeah, just what I thought. You’ve thought about it a lot, haven’t you? Of being more than friends.”

  “Every day.”

  “Man, what is it with you Felid Therians? You can face down an army of feral Therians and not bat an eyelash, but a cute boy tells you he likes you, and you’re running for the hills like someone set your tails on fire.”

  “I’m not running,” Hobbs mumbled.

  “Wow. So convincing.” He hated seeing the big guy so torn. Standing, he gave Hobbs a hearty pat on the back. “Come on. Let’s chat over a bagel and coffee.” Maybe he couldn’t meddle in his brother’s relationship, but he could certainly meddle in his other teammates’.

  As they walked through Unit Alpha toward the elevator, Dex considered Calvin and Hobbs’s situation. The problem was most certainly on Hobbs’s end. Calvin had put himself out there plenty of times. He’d made the first move at the hospital by kissing Hobbs. In usual Felid fashion, Hobbs reacted like a deer caught in headlights each and every time. Though he had returned Calvin’s kiss, so there was clearly something strong at work under all the fear and hesitation. Like most large F
elids Dex knew, Hobbs was kind of crap at communicating his feelings, which wasn’t exactly a surprise considering the guy barely spoke. But he’d never had a problem talking to Calvin, who was the only one capable of confronting Hobbs, purposefully pissing him off, and pushing his buttons. Their deep friendship spoke volumes, so it was understandable the guy would be hesitant.

  Stepping into the elevator, Dex gave Hobbs a reassuring pat on the arm. “Don’t worry, big guy. We’ll figure this out.” He only wished he could say the same about his own situation.

  BECK HOGAN was royally pissed off.

  He sat on a dusty, beat-up armchair in the middle of a dimly lit, shitty, derelict schoolhouse listening to what remained of his organization spouting off a bunch of useless intel and piss-poor excuses.

  “It’s like they have nine lives or something,” one of them muttered.

  Hogan stood, marched over, snatched a fistful of the guy’s shirt, and lifted him off his feet with a snarl. “Are you fucking kidding me? They don’t have nine lives, you stupid shit! They have one life. One life you can’t seem to put an end to.” He shoved the guy away from him and paced in front of the dozen Therians lounging on the dusty floorboards. The more he thought about it, the more pissed off he got. They’d had the bastard right in front of them.

  “Yeah, but it’s not our fault Keeler survived,” someone else added. “The guy was bleeding all over the fucking place.”

  “Yeah,” another member piped up. “And how the hell were we supposed to know Brodie would be the one to go out to Keeler’s car?”