“As much as I would love to take all the credit, there was a fair bit of luck involved. Not to mention a good deal of trial and error. Brodie had to learn that he wasn’t going to get what he wanted without giving something in return. He had to learn I was in charge. Not him.”

  “What did you do when he didn’t comply?”

  Dex took another sip of his wine. “I kicked him out into the street.”

  Vaughan seemed perplexed by this. “You didn’t have him beaten?”

  Five little words and Dex was ready to shank the guy. It would be so easy. Break the wineglass, use the stem as a weapon. Boom. One very dead Vaughan. Instead, Dex waved a hand in dismissal.

  “God no. I knew the moment Brodie found himself outside with only the clothes on his back, he’d be pounding on my door within minutes. He needed to cool down and know I meant business. Brodie wanted to be a kept Therian. For him, the worst thing I could do was toss him out with nothing. Once he realized I could take it all away, he gave in.”

  Vaughan stared at him. “Incredible.” He popped another grape into his mouth. Maybe Dex would get lucky and the bastard would choke on it. No such luck. “I wish we could all be so fortunate,” Vaughan added. “Some of us have had to resort to far less pleasant methods. In the end, I’ve had to put a few down.”

  Put a few down. He said it so casually. Like he wasn’t talking about murder. Was it really that easy for him?

  “Shame,” Dex said, grabbing a couple of almonds and crunching them to a pulp in lieu of putting Vaughan down. “I’m curious. I’ve noticed you have several Therians under your employment. Considering your reputation, I’m surprised by this.”

  Vaughan grinned knowingly. “You’re not the first to wonder about this. The answer is simple. Money. It can be difficult for larger Therians in many countries to get employment, or even escape getting killed, so I offer them what few others can. As for the younger ones…” He cocked his head to one side, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Without me, they have nothing. I make myself indispensable to them.”

  “Ah.” Dex chuckled. “So you were paying attention.” And he’d been right. The young Therians on offer were victims as well. Where was Vaughan keeping them? Dex hadn’t seen them since that night.

  “Of course.” Vaughan leaned forward in his seat, his gray eyes intense. “Now it’s my turn to voice my curiosity. Are you in love with your Therian?”

  Dex almost choked on his sip of wine. “Excuse me?” He covered up his surprise with a loud laugh, then quickly held a hand up at Vaughan’s deep frown. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean any disrespect. I’ve just never been accused of loving anyone, much less a Therian.” Steadying his pulse, Dex met Vaughan’s gaze. “Make no mistake. Regardless of how I treat Brodie, he’s nothing but an expensive fuck that satisfies my needs.” He leaned forward. “Few Humans know what it’s like to wield that kind of sexual power over a Therian.”

  Vaughan shifted in his seat, his pupils blown, and Dex was under no illusion what the sick fuck was thinking about, but he held back his disgust. This was exactly what Vaughan expected from a man like Dash. The man licked his lips.

  “It must be thrilling, taking your pleasure from such a specimen. Therians may be abominations, but they are so wonderfully satisfying sexually. Making them submit, hearing them beg. Forcing yourself on all that raw power.”

  Dex schooled his expression at Vaughan’s choice of words, tilting his head in agreement instead of flinching. His stomach rolled over and his muscles tightened, something inside him swirling and moving, something he couldn’t name. Whatever it was, it threatened to rise to the surface, and Dex couldn’t afford to give himself away. Vaughan had to pay for all the pain he’d caused. “It’s refreshing to talk to someone who understands.” He needed to move Vaughan’s attention away from this topic of conversation before he threw up.

  Before Dex could change the subject, Vaughan spoke. He looked too excited for his own good. “A man such as yourself has surely had various Therians. Have you had any other felid Therians? A lion perhaps?”

  An image of a grumpy Ash popped into Dex’s head, and he wished he could bleach his brain out. Sweet baby Jesus, no. No, no, no. This was not the direction he wanted this conversation to go. Dex wanted to laugh, but he didn’t. “Of course. There’s just something rousing about felid Therians.”

  “Especially the bigger ones.”

  “Yes. Making them submit is certainly a challenge.”

  Vaughan grinned wickedly. “A challenge it seems you’ve never shied away from.”

  “What can I say? Nothing but the best for me.”

  “Now that sounds like something to toast to.” Vaughan lifted his wineglass. “Here’s to having the very best.”

  Dex toasted Vaughan. He couldn’t agree more. Here’s to the very best outcome. You, in prison for the remainder of your life. Or better yet, six feet under. He took a sip of his wine. “I have to ask. Why aren’t you giving Therian traits to yourself? Why not be the first Human to make history?”

  Something flashed behind Vaughan’s eyes. “Oh, I will inherit Therian traits. But I don’t have to be the first. That’s what this auction is for—to offer that gift. I can wait a little longer.”

  Wait for a First Generation jaguar Therian?

  “Makes sense,” Dex replied, taking a grape and popping it into his mouth. “You must be incredibly excited, knowing how close you are to a breakthrough. I’ll be honest. So many have tried and failed. I never thought it was possible.”

  “And without the Melanoe virus, it isn’t.” Vaughan leaned forward again, his grin almost feral. “I searched the globe for decades, knowing that the virus was still out there somewhere, waiting for me to right the wrongs perpetrated against our species. Therians should never have existed. To think, the very thing that created those animals, stealing what was rightfully ours, will be what pushes us into the next step of Human evolution. Once those government fools see the error of their ways—and they will, one way or another—they’ll be begging me to share my secrets, and I will.” He sat back and shrugged. “At a cost of course.”

  “Of course. But until then, men like us will have to simply take what’s rightfully ours. As the true dominant species, it’s our right.”

  “Exactly,” Vaughan said excitedly. “I’m so glad you see things as I do. I knew inviting you to my retreat was a sound decision.”

  A decision Dex planned to make Vaughan regret very soon. As they toasted and Vaughan shared more of his disgusting views and experience with Therians, it became exceptionally clear the threat Vaughan posed. This monster had been lurking in the shadows for far too long, hurting and killing. Dex had known he’d face monsters out there, but never would he have imagined someone like Vaughan. Whatever happened, Dex was going to make sure his mission ended with one less monster in the world.

  Sloane had his eyes closed when he heard someone approaching. Scrambling to his paws, he pressed himself against the wall beside the door. Sniffing the air, he relaxed when he caught the scent of his mate.

  As soon as the front door closed, he hurried out, rubbing himself against Dex’s legs and making him laugh softly.

  “Hey, babe.” Dex scratched Sloane behind his ears, and Sloane couldn’t help his purr. He loved when his mate gave him ear scratches. Sloane rubbed himself some more against Dex, replacing the other scents with his own. When he was done, Dex went to the mini-fridge and removed a sports drink. He grabbed one of the protein bars from the basket on the desk, then put in a call for room service. Sloane would be done shifting back before the food arrived.

  Dex closed the balcony door and drew the curtains, just in case. He did a quick scan of the room with his phone to make sure no bugs were placed while they were gone. As soon as it was clear, he sat on the end of the bed. Sloane jumped up, joining him on the mattress to start his shift. He had to be quiet, so he did his best to suppress his growls and managed not to roar at the pain as his body mass reconfigured itself.

  When Sloane was done, he sat in his Human form on the edge of the bed. Dex helped get the energy drink down him until Sloane could hold the bottle himself. He ate the protein bar, then kissed Dex on the cheek. He’d finished getting dressed in a pair of black pajama bottoms and gray henley when someone knocked on the door.

  “Room service.”

  Sloane dropped down onto one of the armchairs, exhausted. He nodded at Dex, who opened the door for the waitstaff. Once the food had been arranged on the coffee table and the cart placed to one side, Dex tipped the man, then closed the door behind him. As soon as the guy was out of earshot, he nodded to Sloane, who grabbed the plate piled high with meat and potatoes.

  “How did it go with Vaughan?”

  “I should get a damned plaque for not putting a bullet in that asshole,” Dex grumbled.

  “That good?” Sloane sliced off a big chunk of steak, then popped it into his mouth. He moaned at how amazing it was.

  Dex shook his head and sighed. “We knew Humans like Vaughan existed. Hell, we went up against plenty of them while at the THIRDS. But this guy? Holy fuck, Sloane. He truly believes Humans were wronged. That Therians stole what was rightfully theirs. As far as he’s concerned, Therians shouldn’t exist, so he feels absolutely no empathy or remorse. He called Therians abominations. Neither Human nor animal. It’s disgusting. I also picked up a cheetah Therian scent.”

  “He’s been around Cory recently.”

  Dex nodded, his jaw muscles working.

  Sloane could imagine how angry Dex must have felt, sitting there listening to Vaughan, wanting to punch the guy with every vile word that came out of his mouth, having to pretend he agreed.

  “How’d the recon go?” Dex asked, taking a seat across from Sloane and picking up his Therian-sized burger. He let out a low moan. “I might want to throw the asshole into a field of cacti surrounded by an army of awaiting vultures, but fuck this food is good,” Dex said through a mouthful.

  “We think we might have found the location of the lab.” Sloane filled his husband in on the armed Therian guards they came across and the influx of electricity Rowan discovered.

  “You’re right. They’re guarding something. Let’s see what surveillance picks up.” They’d finished eating when a piece of paper was slipped under their door. Sloane picked it up, his blood running cold. They’d known this was coming. He just hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.

  “What is it?” Dex asked, his voice laced with concern.

  “Tomorrow’s event.” Sloane lifted his gaze to meet his husband’s. “Looks like we’re going to be transported off the property. All guests are to make sure their Therians are well-fed and any previous or current injuries communicated to Vaughan prior to the event.”

  Dex cursed under his breath. “Therian fighting?”

  “Yep. The fight is happening tomorrow.”

  With a heavy sigh, Dex nodded. He lifted his gaze to Sloane’s. “You sure you want to do this?”

  “What choice do we have?”

  “There’s always a choice,” Dex replied.

  Sloane shook his head. He stopped in front of Dex and brought him into his arms. “There isn’t,” Sloane said softly. He kissed Dex’s cheek. “I’ll be okay. Vaughan wants me alive.” His husband clearly wasn’t happy, but he nodded. Needing to lighten the mood, Sloane shrugged. “Besides, I’m a badass, remember?” He flexed his arm and pointed to his bicep. “See this? Solid badassery. Touch it. Touch the badassness.”

  Dex snorted. A wicked gleam came into his eyes. “You know, if Keane would just create my super-secret weapon, we’d be able to make a quick getaway if we needed to.”

  “Ah yes.” Sloane nodded, schooling his expression to look very serious. “I mean, think of all the bad guys we could get away from.”

  “Right? Picture this. We’re running from a horde—”

  “A horde.”

  Dex put a finger to Sloane’s lips. “Shhh, picture it. Are you picturing it?”

  Sloane nodded. “I’m picturing it,” he said against Dex’s finger.

  “We’re running from a horde of evildoers. Felid Therian evildoers.”

  “Naturally,” Sloane added.

  “I reach into my pocket.” Dex reaches into his pocket and with dramatic flourish pretends to fling something out at their imaginary horde. “And bam! Super-secret weapon activate!”

  “Is it voice-activated?”

  “Shhh, yes. Maybe. I don’t know yet. Anyway, my super-secret weapon activates, and bam! Enemies vanquished.” He pulls a piece of paper from his pocket and unfolds it. “I even drew him a schematic.”

  “Wait. That’s the same drawing you gave him three months ago. Have you been carrying that with you in your pocket this whole time?”

  Dex gazed down lovingly at his drawing. “It’s so beautiful.”

  “It’s a box.”

  Dex lifted his gaze to Sloane. “Well, yeah, obviously. I mean, felid Therians. But it’s not just any box, Sloane. It’s a portable box.”

  “You mean like, a box?”

  Dex looked unimpressed. “You and Keane have no vision.”

  “Because you basically want him to make you a box.”

  “A portable box. Like, one I can fit in my pocket and then boom, expands when I throw it.”

  “I suppose it could be dangerous. One of those corners might hit someone in the eye.”

  Dex neatly folded his schematic back up and put it in his pocket. “You know, I don’t appreciate your skepticism.” He turned and headed for the bathroom. “I’m going to take a shower.”

  “I’ll join you.”

  “Nope. Shared showers are reserved for husbands who don’t make fun of my super-secret weapon.”

  “Wait, how many husbands do you have?” Sloane teased, getting smacked in the face with Dex’s suit jacket. He laughed. “What if instead of a box, it’s an exploding bag of catnip?”

  Dex poked his head out of the bathroom. “You know, that’s not a bad—”

  Sloane doubled over laughing.

  “No vision,” Dex accused, then disappeared back inside the bathroom.

  “What if it’s a horde of wolf Therians?”

  “Zip it!”

  God, he loved that man. Sloane had almost forgotten about the Therian fight tomorrow. Almost.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  The last thing Dex wanted was to mingle, knowing his husband was going to be forced into a no-holds-barred fight with another Therian. But for appearance’s sake, Dex and Sloane joined the rest of the guests at breakfast and then by the pool for cocktails and lunch.

  According to the itinerary, guests and their Therians were to be at the resort entrance at 2:00 p.m., where transport would take them to the “venue.” Considering Therian fighting in feral form was illegal, whatever Vaughan had planned was nothing good.

  Dex and Sloane were at the front of the resort at the requested time. Two small white busses pulled up outside the gate. The drivers opened the doors for them and had the guests climb aboard with their Therians. The drive was a bumpy one, and Dex remained vigilant as they drove down dirt roads away from the resort.

  They headed south, where supposedly there was nothing but trees and farmland. A little over twenty minutes later, the busses pulled into what looked like some kind of farm, but with a redbrick structure that resembled a vacation villa more than a building you’d find on a farm.

  Dex had expected something rundown, hidden away somewhere, but other than the surrounding trees and greenery, the property gave off a luxury-home kind of vibe. The only indication there was more beyond the immaculate gardens and the pristine property was the dozens of armed Therian guards patrolling the area. A guard stopped their bus and spoke with the driver, who opened the doors. The huge lion Therian stepped onto the bus and scanned the guests. With a nod, he motioned toward the door.

  “Everyone, follow me.”

  They followed along, leaving the cramped bus, the guests conversing excitedly about the upcoming event. The sun was blazing in the sky, the heat harsh as they headed for the building. Vaughan waited for them at the door, dressed in his usual white linen suit and a pair of dark sunglasses, an umbrella to shield him from the sun held for him by a young man. Dex ached to punch Vaughan. There was pretentious, and then there was this asshole.

  “Welcome! I hope you all had an invigorating morning. We’ve come to one of my favorite events of the retreat. Today we’ll get to test the very Therian traits you may one day soon be gifted with. What better way to help you make a decision than to see a demonstration? Before we go in, I’ll remind you of the liability waiver you signed as part of your contract for this retreat. Please, follow me.”

  Vaughan turned, and Dex hung out at the back of the group with Sloane, letting everyone else go in ahead of him. Sloane’s fingers brushed against Dex’s, no doubt feeling the tension running through Dex. Where Vaughan was concerned, they had no idea what to expect.

  The interior of the building was as ornately decorated as the resort, giving the impression the place was someone’s beautiful home. Colorful rugs, furniture, and intricate tiles decorated the place, a gold chandelier hanging from the entryway ceiling. The walls sported gold-framed art and delicate vases filled with an assortment of flowers. It was opulent and didn’t give the slightest hint of what actually went on within these walls.

  They followed Vaughan to a solid wood door that he opened for them. On the other side were a set of stairs that disappeared into the darkness below. The faint glow of lit wall sconces flickered, and the hairs on the back of Dex’s neck stood on end. Wonderful. Nothing like descending into some underground deathtrap with a bunch of psychopaths.

  Sloane stood at Dex’s back, protecting him and reassuring him. They headed down mudbrick stairs, the only lighting coming from the wall sconces every few feet. When they reached the bottom, they turned, and Dex stilled, stunned by the huge open space, but it was the large oval fighting ring that punched him in the gut.