“We’ll get to that, but first, I need you to understand the severity of the situation and what you’re signing up for. Despite several attempts to appoint Dex with one of the very best doctors TIN has to offer, he refuses. The only doctor Dex trusts is Dr. Colbourn. As the first surviving Human-Therian hybrid, Dex is invaluable to TIN.”

  “So because Dex is invaluable and only trusts Hudson, that makes Hudson invaluable.” As messed-up as that was, Seb had been a THIRDS agent long enough not to be surprised. Organizations like TIN were all about intel and how valuable an asset was. He didn’t have to be a covert operative to know how it worked. Maybe he didn’t know the ins and outs, and it was probably better that way, but the implications of her words weren’t lost on him.

  “There’s still so much we don’t know about Dex and his mutation, other than the fact he shares Sloane’s DNA and is exhibiting Therian traits. We’ve been monitoring his activity, as has Dr. Colbourn. So far Dex has developed our strength, healing capability, speed, and metabolism. Only time will tell what jaguar Therian traits he may possess as well.”

  Seb nodded his understanding. “Do you think he’ll shift?”

  “We can’t say for certain, but it’s unlikely, as Dex was born Human.”

  “So were a lot of Pre-First Gens,” Seb reminded her. “My dad was Human before he became infected with the Melanoe virus. Now he’s a Therian.”

  “That’s true. I suppose all we can do is wait. We’re also monitoring the select number of First Gens who possess the same anomalies in their blood that Sloane does. Let’s get to the reason I called you in here, shall we? Admiral Moros was a member of a cabal known as the Makhai—Therians intent on keeping Therians the dominant species. For decades they’ve been killing off Humans like Dex, who were infected by their First Gen partners. Dex is the only one of his kind that we know of. His quick thinking in seeking out Dr. Colbourn for medical attention rather than going to the hospital has kept him off their radar.”

  So it was possible there were more Humans like Dex. “And this organization is still out there?” Great, just what they needed. Another, scarier, more secretive group of nutcases.

  “Although Moros was one of its founders, we have reason to believe the Makhai is still in operation. They’ve retreated into the shadows, most likely to regroup. However, we believe the two gang members killed by Wolf six months ago, Juarez and Turner, were working for the Makhai. It’s possible they’re gathering intelligence and will soon resurface.” She tapped away at her desk, and the screen on the wall behind and above her head flickered to life. Surveillance images of Dowling, Juarez, and Turner popped up on the screen. “Dowling was paid by Wolf to warn Sloane and Dex that they needed to protect Dr. Colbourn. Juarez and Turner killed Dowling so he couldn’t deliver the message. Wolf then killed them. As Juarez and Turner were working for the Makhai, we believe the Makhai not only arranged Dowling’s murder but sent Juarez and Turner to Greenpoint.”

  “Why?”

  “Intel. Moros’s death is classified. According to those documents, he died by my claws.”

  Seb stared at her. “Does Dex know?”

  Sparks nodded. “He wasn’t happy about it but agreed that we need to keep what he is a secret as long as possible. Unfortunately, I believe the Makhai have their suspicions.”

  “How do you know?”

  “As I said, Juarez and Turner were sent to Greenpoint. After debriefing Destructive Delta, it became clear that the two had targeted Cael. No matter who they were up against, they kept trying to get to Cael. I believe they were trying to get Dex to out himself.”

  “Shit.” Seb shook his head. If there was a surefire way to make Dexter J. Daley lose his shit, it was to fuck with his family. “Let me guess, he went all Human-Therian hybrid on their asses.”

  “So to speak. Juarez and Turner may have been killed before they could relay the information to their superiors, but there’s no telling if any of the other Therians in Greenpoint were plants. It’s been six months, and we haven’t picked up any chatter regarding Dex or his abilities. However, if Wolf felt the need to warn us, then the Makhai must know something. None of this is a coincidence. Even if they discover what Dex is, between him, his newfound traits, and Sloane, I’m confident they’ll manage. Dr. Colbourn is a different matter. In the very near future, Dex and Sloane may not be available to offer their protection. Steps are being taken to assure the utmost discretion. Dr. Colbourn has no association with TIN, but at this time, we can’t confirm the Makhai hasn’t taken an interest in him.”

  Shit. “It’s his association with Dex, isn’t it?”

  “Yes. Dr. Colbourn is Dex’s personal physician. If they can’t get to Dex…”

  “Hudson’s the next best thing.” Seb ran a hand over his face. Fuck, this was worse than he thought. He knew it. The moment Dex walked into Hudson’s house, he’d made Hudson a target. As pissed off as Seb was with Dex, he had to respect Hudson’s decision, no matter how much he hated it.

  “This is where you come in,” Sparks informed him.

  “Or where Hudson steps out.”

  She didn’t so much as blink. “Dex and Dr. Colbourn have formed a bond due to the marks they carry from their mates.”

  Seb couldn’t help but flinch at the word mates. She was fully aware of their situation. Seb might be Hudson’s mate, but unless Hudson took him back, they remained two halves of a whole. Incomplete.

  “Dr. Colbourn has taken Dex under his care. Do you really believe he’ll walk away now?”

  Seb clenched his jaw. They both knew the answer to that. Hudson would never turn down someone who needed him, much less a friend he cared for dearly. Seb wasn’t sure what to think about the two bonding over their marks. Was that why Dex was playing matchmaker? The guy wasn’t nearly as subtle as he thought he was. His heart was in the right place, but he had some real unorthodox methods. Not to mention unpredictable ones.

  “Okay. I get it. Hudson might be in danger if this cabal knows what Dex is or Hudson’s association with him and TIN. That just means you’re going to be seeing a whole lot more of me.”

  Sparks didn’t skip a beat. “How does Dr. Colbourn feel about seeing a whole lot more of you? How are you going to deal with seeing him?”

  “I’ve made it clear to him that I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Easier said than done.”

  Tell me about it. “His safety is my priority.” As much as it might crush him being around Hudson, knowing Hudson was safe was all that mattered.

  “I have plenty of good operatives I can assign—”

  Seb held up a hand to stop her. “If you want to have operatives keep an eye on him from a distance, that’s fine. I would appreciate someone looking out for him when I can’t be around, but I’m not walking away. It’ll be a cold day in hell before I leave him out there on his own to face God knows what. I’m in this, whether he likes it or not. Whether I like it or not.” He wasn’t unreasonable. He couldn’t very well shadow Hudson every moment of the day. They had jobs to do, cases to work, callouts. Seb could hardly follow him home.

  “Very well. Dom will assume the role of team leader on Theta Destructive if you’re called away. I’ll arrange your cover.” She tapped away at her desk’s interface. An icon appeared on the screen. It was a pair of silver shoes. Okay. That was… weird.

  “When you see that symbol appear on any of your communications devices, you tap it. It means you have a secure, incoming message from TIN.” Her grin sent a chill through him. “Congratulations. Sebastian Hobbs, you are now part of the TIN Associate Program. Your training commences next week. Austen is your liaison.”

  Seb blinked at her. “I’m sorry, what?” What just happened? TIN Associate? Training? What? “Wait. Are you telling me Austen is TIN?”

  “Yes. You want to protect Dr. Colbourn? You need training. He does too, for that matter.”

  “I have training.” Training he continued every day, even when his knee was giving him hell. Sparks gave him a nod, and he frowned. What the hell was going on?

  “Hey, Sebby.”

  “Shit!” Seb sprang from his chair so fast he almost fell face-first onto the carpet. He spun around, his heart in his throat as he stared at Austen. “Where the hell did you come from?” He looked from Austen to Sparks and back. “The room’s still in privacy mode.” Seb hadn’t heard him, smelled him, or even felt Austen approach.

  Austen waggled his eyebrows and dropped into the chair Seb had just vacated. “Training. And my general awesomeness.”

  “You’ll be a stronger agent for it,” Sparks assured Seb. “It’s done wonders for Destructive Delta.”

  Seb peered at her. “Are you telling me Destructive Delta are TIN Associates?”

  “They’ve been put through the TIN Associate Training Program.” Some kind of unspoken exchange happened between her and Austen. Seb wanted nothing to do with it.

  “So you want to make Destructive Delta TIN?”

  Sparks shook her head. “Only Therians can be TIN operatives, or in Dex’s case a Human-Therian hybrid. As good as Ash, Cael, and Hobbs are, they’re better suited for the THIRDS, but with their skill set and TIN Associate training, they make valuable assets.”

  It took a second for her words to sink in, and he gaped at her. “Dex is a TIN operative?”

  “He and Sloane will be sworn in after they return from their honeymoon. As TIN operatives, it’s imperative they have a trustworthy network of assets.”

  Seb couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Dex and Sloane, TIN? He was having trouble processing this. “Does Destructive Delta know?”

  “Yes. Dex and Sloane will continue to work at the THIRDS under new roles. It’s important they still have access to their team, which is why there will be some structural changes to Destructive Delta.

  “TIN operatives are required to bring on their own assets and contacts upon swearing in. No operatives are recruited without a team already in place. Dex and Sloane will work undercover, with Destructive Delta on hand to provide support if and when necessary. As TIN associates, you and Dr. Colbourn will become part of Dex and Sloane’s assets.”

  If Destructive Delta was ready to become an asset, it meant they’d been training for some time. Sparks cocked her head as she studied him.

  “You look thoughtful.”

  “You’ve been preparing them for this.” He still couldn’t figure out why, though. She couldn’t have predicted what Sloane’s blood would do to Dex. “What if Dex hadn’t become what he is? He couldn’t be TIN, right? What then? Why train Destructive Delta?”

  “I would have taken them on as my personal assets.”

  Seb was willing to bet his tiger Therian stripes that Destructive Delta wouldn’t have accepted were it not for Dex and Sloane. Regardless. Whatever his friends’ decisions, it had nothing to do with him. He didn’t know TIN, and quite frankly, he didn’t trust Sparks.

  “I’m not getting into bed with TIN.”

  “You’re an exceptional agent, Seb. Think of what you could accomplish as a TIN associate with the right training and the right… medical enhancements.”

  “Medical enhancements?” Seb stared at her. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  Sparks dropped her gaze to Seb’s knee before lifting her eyes back to his. “TIN could help you.”

  “But only if I join you?” He shook his head in disgust. “You people are unbelievable.” He wasn’t sure what he found more astounding, that TIN had the medical capabilities to help him or the fact they would only do so if it benefited them. The thought infuriated him. “I’d rather live with the pain than work for TIN.”

  “Seb—”

  “Keep your training, your associate program, your goddamn enhancements,” he ground out through his teeth. “I want nothing to do with it. Protecting Hudson is my priority, and I’ll do that my way. Now if you don’t mind, I have a job to do.”

  Sparks took the room off security mode. By the time the door opened behind him, Austen was gone. Seb hadn’t even seen him leave.

  “Am I interrupting?” A handsome leopard Therian in a THIRDS uniform stood in the doorway.

  “Ah, Agent Carson. Perfect timing. Seb, this is Team Leader Trent Carson on loan from Unit Alpha over at Philadelphia HQ. Agent Carson, this is Agent Sebastian Hobbs, team leader for Theta Destructive.”

  Seb held out his hand. “Hey, welcome.”

  “Thanks. It’s great to meet you.”

  “Agent Carson is interested in transferring to our office. Seeing as how Agent Taylor is on leave for an unknown period of time, it would be a good opportunity for Agent Carson to show us what he’s made of. He’ll be in charge of Beta Ambush until further notice.”

  Agent Carson gave her a curt nod. “I really appreciate this opportunity, ma’am. I won’t let you down.”

  “I expect not. Seb, please give Agent Carson a quick tour of Unit Alpha, then take him to Briefing Room A. Sergeant Maddock will join him there with the rest of Beta Ambush.”

  Seb nodded. He left the office with Carson at his side. Taylor hadn’t been the easiest to get along with, and he could be a major pain in the ass, but he was a good guy and a hell of a team leader. Seb hoped he returned soon. Beta Ambush and Theta Destructive had a long history together. When either team was called out, they were usually backed up by the other, and they were the first on call to provide backup to Destructive Delta. Not having Taylor around was strange.

  “I’m going to assume you’ve been briefed, Agent Carson?” Seb asked, making his way through Unit Alpha.

  “Call me Trent. And yes, I have. Whatever you need, Agent Hobbs, just let me know.”

  “Call me Seb or everyone will think you’re talking about my brother Ethan. Everyone calls him Hobbs. It’s more of a nickname.”

  “His surname is his nickname?” Trent looked confused.

  Seb couldn’t help his chuckle. “His partner’s name is Calvin. He’s short and blond.”

  Understanding crossed Trent’s face, and he laughed. “That’s hilarious.”

  “If you value your life, you won’t tell Cal that. He’s small, but he will bust your shit up. He’s also a sniper.”

  “Right. Don’t piss off the sniper. Got it. So you’ve got a brother working in the same unit? That’s great.”

  “I’ve got two, actually. My older brother, Rafe, is team leader for Alpha Ambush, and Ethan’s a public safety bomb technician for Destructive Delta.”

  “Destructive Delta?” Trent let out a whistle. “I heard they’ve got a track record for kicking ass and taking names.”

  “Yeah, just don’t get too close, or you’ll get your ass kicked. Those guys don’t mess around. Well, one of them does, but that’s a whole other story.” They walked through the bullpen, and Seb pointed to the office behind his. “That’s Taylor’s office, so you’ll be working with your partner from there.”

  “Is that Sloane Brodie?”

  Seb followed Trent’s gaze to the end of the hall where Sloane leaned against the wall next to his office talking to Dex. Seb nodded. “That’s him.”

  “I can’t believe the guy got blown up and lived.”

  “Sloane’s a survivor.” Seb admired that. Sloane had been dealt a shitty hand from the start, and over the years, it seemed like bad luck had a hard-on for him, yet Sloane kept fighting. He put one foot in front of the other and kept wading through the shit, grief, and darkness determined to bury him until he made it through to the other side. “Want me to introduce you?”

  “Yeah, wow, thanks, man. So, uh, what does it take to lead a team like Destructive Delta?”

  “Besides a nifty little piece of paper confirming you’re certifiably insane? Retirement.” It took a special kind of crazy to lead Destructive Delta. Seb loved his job, loved being a team leader, but lead Destructive Delta? Hell no. Being their driver had been a tough gig, and that was before Dex, before all the relationship drama or the nutjobs crawling out of the woodwork. Seb missed his teammates, working with his baby brother, and his BearCat, but they were all where they were supposed to be now. Plus, Ethan had quickly stepped in, taking over the BearCat’s care. He loved that damn truck as much as Seb had.

  Trent looked confused. “I don’t get it.”

  “Destructive Delta has only ever had one team leader.” Seb motioned to Sloane, who laughed at something Dex said. “They’re also his family, so anyone looking for an in not only has to earn his trust and approval but prove they’d be a good fit for his family.”

  Trent shrugged. “All teams are tight.”

  “No, I mean they’re actually his family.” Seb stopped walking and nodded over to Dex. If Trent was going to survive backing up Destructive Delta, he needed to know. “See that guy he’s talking to?”

  Trent nodded. “He looks kind of familiar. I think he’s been on the news. Shit, he’s pretty.”

  “Yeah, keep that to yourself. That’s Dexter J. Daley. Remember that name because if you fuck with him, you’re finished. He’s Sloane’s partner, fiancé, and mate.”

  Trent’s eyes went wide as saucers. “Fuck.”

  “Yeah. Dex’s little brother is Cael Maddock.”

  “Wait. Maddock? As in Sergeant Maddock?”

  Seb chuckled at the horrified look that crossed Trent’s face. “Yep. He’s their dad. And Cael’s boyfriend is Ash Keeler, Sloane’s best friend. They’re more like brothers, actually. Grew up together. Letty is Ash’s partner. Rosa is Letty’s best friend and Cael’s partner. Then there’s my brother Ethan, who Dex is a little protective over. Even if he wasn’t my brother, you’d have Ethan’s boyfriend, Calvin, to deal with.”

  Trent braced a hand against the wall. “Shit. They told me I’d be providing backup, but… Shit.”

  Clearly no one had told Trent what he was getting into with Destructive Delta. Seb clapped him on the shoulder.