Smoke & Mirrors

by Charlie Cochet

  “Hey, Chirpy.”

  Cael’s chirps changed. They weren’t the usual chirps used when admonishing Dex or when Cael was happy. These were high-pitched and frequent, sounding the alarm and calling out for help. Sloane appeared at Dex’s side, hissing at Cael, who chirped angrily at him, his ears flattened, but Sloane wasn’t listening. He hissed and roared, forcing Cael to shrink away from Dex despite his reluctance.

  “Don’t,” Dex pleaded with Sloane, who rubbed his head against Dex’s head, then his face, followed by his shoulder. “It’s Cael, okay? Don’t push him away.”

  “Dex!”

  Rosa came running with Letty on her heels. Managing to look behind him, Dex saw Seb, Ash, and Hobbs nipping at a limping Taylor, herding him toward the empty cage at the back of Beta Ambush’s BearCat. Sloane curled around Dex, his painful wails bringing a lump to Dex’s throat. He’d never heard Sloane make that sound before. As if his partner was in physical pain because he’d hurt Dex.

  “I know you didn’t mean it, babe. I know.”

  Rosa ran over with her medical kit when Sloane hissed and bared his fangs at her, and anyone else who tried to get close to Dex.

  “Babe, it’s okay. I need Rosa to help me. Please.”

  Sloane let out a soft mew, bumping his face against Dex’s before lying on his belly, his side pressed up against Dex. Tony’s concerned voice came over Dex’s earpiece.

  “Dex? What the hell is going on? Why is Taylor bloodied and in the back of his own truck?”

  “He, uh, was being a dick. We did it for his own good.”

  “Explain.”

  “It’s fine.”

  The line went quiet, and Dex let out a sigh of relief. He’d explain everything to his dad, but now was not the time. Rosa got on her knees and quickly removed all the supplies she needed from her medical bag. Dex sat up so she could get to his arm better. Letty offered him support, and Sloane crawled over until he was once again pressed up against Dex’s side.

  “What the hell happened?”

  Shit. So much for hoping his dad had let it go.

  Tony crouched down beside him, inspecting his arm. “Jesus, Dex. Did Taylor do that?”

  He looked like he was about to pop a blood vessel. Sloane let out a low wail, and Tony turned his attention to Sloane, his eyes wide.

  “You did that?”

  Sloane flattened his ears back against his head and opened his mouth, but there was no hiss. Like he was trying his hardest to explain.

  “It was an accident,” Dex assured his dad, sucking in a sharp breath as Rosa used the Therian-strength disinfectant wipes to clean his wounds. There was no point in trying to bullshit his dad. “Sloane and I were heading back to the truck when Taylor attacked Sloane.”

  Tony’s brows furrowed. “What? That makes no sense. Why would Taylor—” Realization dawned on him, and he cursed under his breath. “He challenged Sloane. Damn it. I thought the talk we had back at HQ had gotten through to him.”

  Dex nodded. Taylor challenging Sloane was better than the alternative theories. Like the one where Taylor may have been sent to kill them.

  “Damn it, Dex. I warned you about this. You could have been fucking killed!”

  “But I wasn’t. It was an accident. Sloane was going for Taylor, and I got in his way.”

  Tony pressed his lips together before coming to some sort of conclusion. “We need to report it. Taylor needs to answer for this.”

  “No. Please.”

  “Boy, are you out of your damn mind?” Tony thrust a finger in the direction of Dex’s arm. “You almost lost a fucking arm.”

  “Sarge—Dad, please. If Sparks finds out about this, it won’t just be Taylor who gets punished. You really think she won’t consider that I might be a liability? I’m the only agent at the THIRDS who’s marked. What if she tries to give me a fucking desk job, or worse? Please. We’ll deal with Taylor. This is all new for us. We’re still learning.” They needed time. Time to get to the truth.

  “And if it happens again? Then what? What if next time skin glue won’t be enough?”

  Cael rubbed his head against Tony’s arm, making him smile. He scratched Cael behind the ear, his attention going back to Dex.

  “Sloane and I…. We’ll work it out. Just give us a chance.” Dex held his father’s gaze. “Please, this one time. I’m asking you, not as an agent, but as your son.”

  Tony rubbed his hands over his face before giving him a nod. “Okay. This one time.” He turned his gaze to Sloane. “You gave me your word, Sloane. I expect you to keep it.”

  Dex had no idea what his dad was referring to, but he wasn’t about to ask. He’d asked enough of the man for one day. Inside their truck, everyone was quiet. Their sarge had explained the incident would be kept quiet this time. He’d handle Taylor, which didn’t bode well for Taylor. Since Calvin was administering PSTC to Hobbs, Tony drove the truck, letting Dex know he’d be dropping him off at the hospital. Dex wasn’t about to argue. Despite his injured arm, he helped Sloane behind the privacy screen. Sloane wouldn’t look him in the eye, and Dex could see the guilt eating away at him. They’d have time to discuss it later.

  Their sarge stopped for a drive-through, picking up Therian-sized meals for their teammates and one for Dex, because he was starving. Everyone else got regular Human sized.

  “Jesus, Dex. You polished off that whole fucking burger?” Ash shook his head in disbelief.

  “Guess I was hungry,” Dex replied through a mouthful of fries.

  Cael stared at him. “You’ve always eaten a lot, but you never finished a whole Therian-sized burger before. Usually you leave the second half for later.”

  Dex shrugged. “Must have worked up an appetite.”

  He was damned hungry, and he was only now starting to feel kind of full. As soon as they’d eaten, Tony dropped Dex and Sloane off at the hospital. Sloane was too quiet for Dex’s liking. He followed Dex inside, around the lobby, and back out.

  “What are you doing?” Sloane asked, looking confused.

  “I’m going to see a doctor.” Dex pulled his smartphone out and tapped the screen until a gruff voice answered.

  “Dex, you okay?”

  “Yeah, listen. I need a favor. I need you to pick me and Sloane up at New York Presbyterian Hospital. Main entrance.”

  “You heading back to HQ?”

  “No. I need you to drop us off somewhere.”

  There was a pause before Seb let out a sigh. “Why do I get the feeling you’re up to something?”

  “I really need you to do this for me, buddy.”

  “What about Taylor?”

  “Sarge is going to take care of it. I’ll explain later.”

  “Shit. Okay. I’m on my way.”

  “Thanks. I owe you.”

  “Don’t I know it. I have a list.”

  Dex chuckled, thanked him, and hung up. He turned to Sloane with a smile. “Hey, handsome.”

  Sloane frowned. “Dex, what’s going on? Why aren’t you going to see a doctor here? And who was that you just asked to pick us up?”

  “It was Seb. I am going to see a doctor, I promise. How are you holding up?” Dex walked to the marble bench farthest from the entrance, and when he sat, Sloane took a seat beside him, his expression somber as he stared at the ground. He sat with his hands shoved in his pockets. They got a few curious glances from people walking in and out of the hospital, but the presence of THIRDS agents around the building was hardly uncommon, so thankfully they didn’t draw too much attention, especially since Dex’s arm was bandaged up, giving the impression he’d just come from being tended to. It was likely most of the attention he was getting was due to the fact he looked like shit. His tac pant leg was shredded, his sleeve blood soaked and ripped. He was covered in dirt, scrapes, and his hair probably looked like something a bird would make its nest out of.

  After what seemed like forever, Sloane finally answered. “I could have killed you. How do you think I’m holding up?”
<
br />   Dex turned to face Sloane and cupped the back of his neck, his thumb stroking Sloane’s skin. “Hey, look at me.”

  Sloane swallowed hard and closed his eyes.

  “Sloane. Look at me.”

  After letting out a steady breath, Sloane turned, his amber eyes filled with heartache. Hadn’t Sloane carried enough guilt with him throughout his life? Dex wasn’t going to be the source of any more pain for his partner. Not if he could help it.

  “It wasn’t your fault. You were protecting me. If Taylor had been stronger, if he hadn’t given in so easily to his Therian side, none of this would have happened. His claws snagged on my pants. It was bad timing on my part.” Dex leaned into him, his voice soft. “Thank you.”

  Sloane stared at him. “For what? Almost ripping your arm off?”

  “For defending me so fiercely yet not hurting Taylor. We both know the damage you could have done.”

  Sloane scrunched his nose up. “I was tempted. My Felid half wanted blood, but I just wanted him to get that I wasn’t giving you up. I couldn’t let my Felid half maul Taylor. I’d hoped he’d get a hold of himself, but I don’t think he realized until the others showed up and scared the shit out of his Felid half. I don’t think he’ll be trying again.”

  A big black truck double parked across from them and honked.

  “There’s Seb. Ready for some awkward?”

  “Awkward? Why?”

  Sloane followed Dex to Seb’s truck. Dex grabbed the handle and wriggled his brows at Sloane, chuckling when Sloane gasped.

  “You’re not.” Sloane shook his head at him. “Dex, you can’t—”

  Dex opened the door, cutting Sloane’s protest short. Sloane gave him a pointed look before getting into the backseat. Dex climbed up into the passenger seat and buckled up, waiting for Seb to pull into traffic.

  “You both look like hell,” Seb offered. “Where are we going?”

  “I need to see a doctor,” Dex replied with a smile.

  Seb stopped at the red light and arched an eyebrow at him. “And what, they ran out at the hospital?”

  “I can’t go to the hospital. Too risky. And I only know one other doctor.”

  Seb’s brow furrowed. “You planning on telling me, or am I supposed to guess?”

  Wait for it.

  The light turned green the same time realization hit Seb. The shrilling honk of a car horn snapped Seb out of it, and he turned his attention back to the road, hitting the accelerator harder than necessary. “No.”

  “I need you to take us there. I don’t know where he lives.”

  “And you called me?” Seb growled. “That your idea of some kind of joke?”

  “You know the THIRDS doesn’t give out personal information, not even to other agents.”

  Seb made a sharp turn down a residential street before coming to a screeching halt. He put the truck in park and turned in his seat, his nostrils flaring and green eyes blazing.

  “Everyone on your fucking team knows where he lives, including your boyfriend, who’s in the backseat! Do you think this is funny? Do you have any idea how painful this is for me, and you’re playing fucking games?”

  “He wears your shirt under his. Did you know that?”

  Seb’s anger appeared to slip away as quickly as it had come. When he spoke, his voice was quiet.

  “How do you know?”

  “He showed me. He came to visit me a few weeks ago, when I got hurt, and we talked.”

  Dex motioned to the road, and after some hesitation, Seb got them moving again.

  “He told me about what happened at the hospital.”

  Seb gripped the steering wheel so hard his knuckles turned white. “Then you know I’m the last person he wants to see.”

  “You’re the only person he wants to see. Every day, you’re all he sees.”

  “And what am I supposed to do? I can’t risk him….” Seb looked exhausted, and not just from lack of sleep.

  “He’s not going back to England.”

  Seb shook his head. “You don’t know him like I do. He’ll do it.”

  “He can’t. It’s killing him being away from you now, and you both work in the same building. You think he’s going to move to another continent?”

  “He told me—”

  “He knows you, Seb. Why do you think he threatened you with that? He knew you’d never leave Ethan or your family behind to follow him to England, but he’s never going to do it, never intended to. He knew you’d never risk it. That you’d want to keep him close. You’d do what he asked without question. You can’t give up.”

  “I won’t lose him across a fucking ocean!”

  “Seb, he can’t. He physically can’t.”

  “What are you talking about?” Seb pulled up outside a brownstone with a beautiful garden in bloom. He stopped the car and turned off the engine before turning to Dex with a frown. “What do you mean he physically can’t?”

  “There was something else Hudson was counting on.”

  “What?”

  Dex thought about it. He didn’t want to betray Hudson’s confidence, but Hudson hadn’t asked him to not tell Seb. It could be he simply expected Dex not to say anything, but Hudson was smart, very smart. He also knew Dex really well. Sure, Dex was a gossip at work at times, but he knew when to keep his mouth shut about something important. Something in his gut told him this was the right thing to do.

  “The fact that he’s the one bearing your mark. No one knows what he feels but him. Every mate that’s marked shares certain experiences, but some experiences are unique to that marked mate. Hudson physically can’t be away from you. His feral half will tear itself apart from the inside out from the need to be near you. He can move across town, hell, he can move to Florida or Canada, but across an ocean?” Dex shook his head sadly. “His body would never survive.”

  Seb sat there in silence, staring ahead. He sat like that for so long, Dex was forced to interrupt whatever Seb was thinking about.

  “Is this it?” Dex motioned to the brownstone behind him.

  “Yeah. He’s home.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Curtains are open. He always has them open when he’s at home, closed when he goes out.” Seb didn’t bother looking at the house. The guy probably knew the place inside and out, along with the wolf Therian who lived there.

  “Right. Let’s go, then.” Dex went to get out when Seb put a hand to his shoulder.

  “Dex?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Thanks. I’m not exactly sure what to do with everything you just told me, but thank you.”

  He smiled, his green eyes reminding Dex of Hobbs’s. There was so much heartache and sadness in those eyes. Like his little brother did, Dex hoped Seb found happiness again. Dex nodded and got out of the truck. Sloane and Seb followed him up the stairs. The house was immaculately kept, the garden full of flowers in bloom. Dex rang the doorbell, and a stunned-looking Hudson quickly answered. The guy was adorable, standing there in a long open blue robe, wearing TARDIS-patterned boxer shorts, a Kiss T-shirt that was too big for him, and fuzzy slippers. His hair was sticking up at all angles.

  “I didn’t know you liked Doctor Who,” Dex said with a chuckle.

  Hudson looked down at himself before he swiftly tied his robe, his face flushed. “Of course I do. I’m British. It’s a crime not to.”

  “Who was your favorite?”

  “That’s like asking me who my favorite Bond was.”

  “You don’t have one? Everyone has a favorite Bond.”

  Hudson shook his head in amusement before he saw Dex’s arm. “Bloody hell, Dex. What on earth happened to you?”

  “I’m a little banged up. Could you help me out?”

  “Of course.” Hudson stepped aside, greeting Sloane when he came in. He was about to close the door when Seb appeared, startling Hudson. “Sebastian.”

  Seb held a hand up. “Hi.”

  “I called him,” Dex explained. “This is kind
of off-the-record, and I didn’t know where you lived.”

  Hudson narrowed his eyes at Dex. Yeah, he wasn’t buying it.

  “I’ll go,” Seb told Dex. “You can just call me when you’re done, and I’ll come pick you up.”

  Hudson sighed. “Don’t be silly. Come in.”

  Seb hesitated before Hudson smiled at him, even though his eyes were on his feet.

  “Please.”

  “Okay.” Seb walked in, and they all headed into the dining room. Hudson’s house was as immaculate on the outside as it was on the inside. Everything had its place. Dex wasn’t sure what he expected Hudson’s place to look like, but he certainly hadn’t expected all the vibrant-colored walls and accents. Dex was about to comment when Hudson hissed at him.

  “I don’t know what’s percolating in that caffeine-soaked brain of yours, but I have half a mind to kick your arse.”

  “You’re a doctor. You’re supposed to heal people.”

  Hudson smiled wickedly. “I examine dead bodies, if you will recall. Test me, and by the time I’m through with you you’ll fit right in with the rest of my patients.”

  Dex put a hand to his chest. “Ouch, man.”

  “Now let’s take a look at that arm. Seb, could you bring me my medical bag, please?”

  Seb nodded. He went to the large decorative trunk behind the flower-patterned love seat in the living room, which Dex could see from the chair he’d plopped himself down on. Seb opened the trunk and removed a large medical bag, which looked just like the one Sloane kept in their closet at home. Seb brought it back to the dining room and placed it on the table. He quickly began to remove supplies.

  “Now tell me. Why couldn’t you go to the hospital?” Hudson asked, and he pressed against the edges of Dex’s wounds with his thumbs. It didn’t hurt as much as it did when Rosa was applying the glue.