“Can’t say I’m sorry.”

  “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m kinda glad he’s on our side. Sort of.”

  Sloane frowned at Ash. “Wolf’s not on anyone’s side but his own. The guy will smile at you, tell you how much he likes you, and then put a bullet in your head.”

  “You’re both right,” Dex said, causing everyone to turn their focus on him. “Hudson’s one of us, and unfortunately, the Makhai have set their sights on him, which means Wolf’s going to stick around until he knows his brother’s safe from them. We can’t afford to turn down his help, no matter how fucked-up that may be. Whether we like it or not, he has connections and skills none of us have. Yet.”

  Dex had told Sloane his plan of making sure someday soon he could hold his own against Wolf and even surpass him, but he still had a long way to go and a hell of a lot of training to do. As much as Sloane hated to admit it, because of Wolf, the Makhai hadn’t gotten their hands on Hudson. The guy might be a psychopath, but it was obvious he cared about his brother and would do whatever it took to protect him. It almost made Sloane not completely hate him. Almost.

  A few minutes later, they were being dropped off in HQ’s parking garage. Sloane followed Dex straight to the armory. There would be no going home. No shower. No fucking around. Not until they had some answers. The TIN medical team had cleaned Dex up as best they could while they tended to his wounds without removing his clothes, but according to Austen, Dex had wanted everyone gone from the room as soon as possible, most likely to keep strangers from witnessing his inevitable meltdown.

  When they arrived at the Destructive Delta armory, Sloane couldn’t help his pride. Their team was there, suited up in full tactical gear sans helmets. They had no idea why they’d been gathered, but it didn’t matter. Sloane had made the call, and there they were, ready to move out. Rosa, Letty, Calvin, and Hobbs lined up, waiting, concern etched on their faces as they took in Dex’s state. Dex glanced over at Sloane, who nodded and stepped forward. Right now, Dex needed him to deal with anything that had the potential to become too emotional. All his focus and energy were reserved for finding Tony.

  “Okay, team. I know you’re all wondering what the hell is going on. What’s happening is we’re preparing for war. Earlier today the Makhai tried to kidnap Hudson. What we didn’t know was that at the same time, they were kidnapping Maddock.”

  Gasps and curses were heard all around. The team stood stunned before they all turned their gazes to Dex, who shook his head at them, his lips pressed together in a thin line. From the state of him, it didn’t take much to leap to the conclusion he’d somehow been involved. Sloane was certain Dex appreciated their love and support, but right now he didn’t need a shoulder to cry on. He needed someone willing to march into battle with him.

  Hobbs squared his shoulders and took a step forward, head held high as he put his right fist to his heart. Calvin nodded in agreement and did the same, followed by Rosa and Letty.

  “Whatever you need,” Rosa said. “You know we’ll be right there with you.”

  Letty nodded. “We’re going to find those assholes, and we’re going to bring the sarge home.” She walked over to Dex’s locker, and he put his thumb to the security pad. It unlocked, and she opened the door. She grabbed his tac vest and handed it to him. “Time to suit up, Daley. One last hurrah.”

  Dex took the vest from her with a soft laugh. “Yeah.”

  While everyone turned to discuss tactics, Sloane and Dex quickly changed into their uniforms. As Sloane buttoned up his shirt, it hit home. This was the last time he’d be putting on his uniform, and it would be to save his sergeant. He absently laid a hand over the Destructive Delta patch on his arm. This team had been his from its inception. He’d never led any other team, and no other team leader had led Destructive Delta but him. Together he and Ash had handpicked every member of this team until Dex. They’d all been through so much together and had had so many firsts. When this was done, he’d be hanging up his uniform for the last time.

  Pushing back the emotions that threatened to bubble up, he straightened, grabbed his thigh rig, and continued to layer on pieces of his kit. There was no time for him to reflect on the swirling thunderstorm of sentiment coursing through him.

  Once every weapon was secured, every piece of equipment strapped, tucked, and clicked into place, he was ready. He grabbed his helmet, now scuffed and dirty, the Destructive Delta sticker faded and distressed. Dex joined him, looking handsome as ever in his full uniform. It had been a while since they’d been sent out on a call, what with all the changes happening around them. He wished they were heading out under different circumstances.

  “Ready?”

  Sloane nodded. He turned to Dex, who stepped in front of him and straightened the strap of his MP5. They put their heads together, and Sloane placed his gloved hand to Dex’s cheek.

  “I’m right here with you, okay?”

  “Thank you.”

  Sloane straightened and motioned for the door. “Destructive Delta, move out.”

  They all waited for Sloane to walk ahead, and Dex fell in behind him. They took formation, following him like they always had to the elevator and then rode it up to Unit Alpha. They headed down the hall and then walked through the doors leading to their unit. When they reached the bullpen, everyone stood. Agents and officers came out from their offices, all to watch them walk through the bullpen, most likely wondering if the apocalypse was upon them since Destructive Delta was ready to head out in full tactical gear. Sloane had no intention of keeping his sergeant’s abduction a secret. It would be unfair to the agents who worked with him, respected him, and looked up to him. They had a right to know. They had a right to join in the fight. And he knew Dex would agree with him. Tony was Dex and Cael’s father, but he was also a founding member of the THIRDS. He had watched this place grow. He had celebrated and suffered along with every agent in this bullpen. Tony was more than a THIRDS officer. He was family.

  Bringing down the Makhai might have been TIN’s problem, but that changed when Sloane and Dex discovered they’d had Dex’s parents murdered, when they paid to have Dex tortured and killed, and now they had the fucking balls to take Tony away from his family. Sloane didn’t care if he had to hunt down every one of those bastards and put them in the ground. He was going to help Dex get Tony back and end this.

  SEVEN

  “Is this room secure?” Dex stood to one side as Sparks placed her hand on the security panel by the door. After the initial handprint scan, she entered a code, then walked to the front of the room.

  Dex pretended not to notice how red her eyes were. She hadn’t been at the facility, which was unusual for her. Had she even left her office at HQ until now? How long after his dad was taken had she found out? Despite her reddened eyes, there was no mistaking the promise of unholy retribution in them. She looked very much like how Dex felt.

  “The room is secure,” Sparks replied, taking a seat at the end of the large conference table. Everyone took a seat except for Dex and Cael, who remained standing near Sparks. “Austen has updated me on everything that’s happened today. Hudson is resting in one of the sleeper bays. Seb is looking after him. While the Makhai is out there looking for Hudson, it’s best we keep him close. He’s being rather stubborn and refuses to allow us to place him in a safe house.” Sparks’s expression turned grave. “We were wrong about why the Makhai want Hudson.”

  Dex took a seat in the chair closest to her. “What are you talking about?”

  “We thought their doggedness to get their hands on Hudson was due to them actually wanting to get their hands on you.” Sparks shook her head. “They want Hudson to get to Wolf.”

  The silence in the room intensified as Sparks’s words sank in.

  “They know who Wolf is,” Dex said.

  “More importantly, they know who Hudson is and what he means to Wolf. When Wolf was recruited, he was given a whole new identity, a new life with no family. Alfie Colbourn is, technically, still dead. He’s buried in the family plot in England. That helped ensure Hudson’s safety. It’s one of the many reasons our operatives lead double lives. Not only to protect the operations but the operatives and their families.”

  Dex let out a heavy sigh. “They plan on using Hudson to control Wolf or kill him.” Wolf had been right about getting Hudson into TIN to keep him safe. With Hudson and Seb training, they’d be better prepared.

  “I don’t get it.”

  Dex turned to Cael, who moved closer. “Don’t get what? Why Hudson?”

  “No, I get that,” Cael said, his brows drawn together in concern. “What I don’t get is why would they take Dad? They tried to take Hudson because of his connection to Wolf and not you. So if they don’t want you, then why take Dad? Who else do they plan to use him against?”

  Dex swallowed hard as realization set in. He turned to Sparks just as the screen on the wall behind them flickered to life. A figure shrouded in darkness appeared.

  “Hello, Sonya.”

  Sparks stood to face the screen. “Who am I speaking to?”

  “You can call me the Chairman.”

  Dex slowly stood. This had to be it. The voice was distorted, and the shadow appeared pitch-black so as to not reveal any distinguishable features. The fact whoever this was managed to breach a room secured by TIN was frightening.

  “Where’s Agent Maddock?” Sparks demanded. “What do you want with him?”

  “You’re a clever girl. Why don’t you tell me? Why on earth would I take your lover?”

  A gasp caught Dex’s ear, and he turned, his heart squeezing at Cael’s shocked expression. Damn it, this wasn’t how he’d wanted his brother to find out. As much as he wanted to go to Cael, they needed to hear what this asshole had to say. Thankfully, his brother seemed to agree because his expression went from stunned to silently fuming.

  “Oh dear. It looks like the cougar’s out of the bag,” the Chairman said with a chuckle. “As much as I would love to hear all the family drama, let’s cut to the chase. You have two options here, Sonya. You can do as I ask or have history repeat itself with poor Anthony.”

  Have history repeat itself? What the hell did that mean? Dex studied Sparks. She didn’t so much as blink.

  “And what exactly is it you want me to do?” Sparks asked.

  “What several operatives in your organization have done. Join the Makhai from the inside. Let’s face it, Sonya. You and I both know there’s more than one mole inside TIN. How do you think we’ve managed to stay out of your grasp for so long? Unfortunately, you and your dear friend Wolf refuse to die, so if you won’t die, then I’ll have to use your weaknesses against you. It’s Spy 101, really. I know you think Dr. Colbourn is safe there with you at THIRDS headquarters, but come now. We’re everywhere.”

  “You expect me to betray my organization and become a double agent?”

  “I expect you to make the right decision.”

  Dex swallowed hard, his jaw clenched.

  “If not, not only do you lose Anthony, but you lose your new golden boy as well. Oh, but he has so much potential. For a half-breed abomination.”

  Dex gritted his teeth and clenched his fists at his sides to keep from telling the Chairman what he could do with his backhanded compliments.

  “Think about it, Sonya. Do you really think that boy is going to follow you anywhere if you let dear old Dad die a horrible death? Hello, Dexter.”

  Dex flipped him off, and the Chairman chuckled. “Spitfire, that one. So you see, Sonya. Dad dies, and your precious new weapon becomes an inconsolable mess before he becomes too much of a liability even for TIN. He’ll make Wolf look like a Boy Scout. Kiss the rest of the team goodbye, and that includes Dr. Colbourn. No doctor, no rogue assassin. You’re alone again, Sonya. You’re not very good at this whole family thing, are you?”

  Sparks let out a fierce cry and swiped her Glock from her holster before emptying her magazine into the screen right where the Chairman’s head was.

  Holy shit! Dex took a quick step back, wondering what the hell had triggered Sparks. Nothing ever fazed her. The Chairman had mentioned something about history repeating itself and then mentioned family. Was it possible Sonya had a family not long ago? Had something happened to them? She never discussed anything personal with any of them. She always kept herself at a distance. You’re alone again. What the hell had happened? His questions would have to wait. Lucky for them, the Chairman was still there.

  “Yes!” The Chairman laughed through the speakers. “That’s the fire I want to see. Now you use that, and you get me the information I want from TIN. I’ll be in touch.”

  “Wait,” Dex cried out. “How do we know you haven’t already killed my father?”

  There was a long pause, and for a second, Dex thought the guy had disappeared.

  “Boys?”

  “Dad.” Dex swallowed past the lump in his throat. “Dad, how are you holding up?”

  Sloane stepped up beside Dex, his hand coming to rest on his lower back. Dex took comfort in his mate’s touch, feeling himself calm.

  “I’m okay. When this is over, the three of us are going to Vegas. I love you, boys. Be good, and don’t give these sons of bitches—”

  There was scuffling before the room went silent.

  “Dad?” Cael stepped forward, but there was no reply. He was gone. The quiet didn’t last long. Cael headed for Sparks, and Dex caught hold of him.

  “You have some fucking nerve,” Cael spat out, thrusting a finger at Sparks. “After the hell you’ve put us through, you hook up with our dad? After what you did to my brother? How could you look him in the eye, knowing what you’ve done, who you are?”

  “Cael. Now is not the time,” Dex said gently.

  Cael turned his blazing gray eyes on Dex. “Did you know about this?”

  For fuck’s sake. This wasn’t the time. He knew his brother was hurt and angry, but their father’s life was on the line. When Dex didn’t reply, Cael’s expression went from angry to hurt, and Dex flinched.

  “You knew.” Cael shook his head in disbelief. “You knew, and you kept it from me?”

  “It wasn’t my place to tell,” Dex said softly, hoping Cael would understand.

  “Not your place?” Cael pushed Dex away from him. “You’re my brother.” Cael rounded on Sparks again. “You put my dad’s life on the line. He had a right to know what you are.”

  “He knows.”

  “What?”

  Sparks let out a sigh. “Your father knows I’m TIN.”

  Dex stared at her. “You actually told him?”

  Sparks shook her head. “I was going to, but he beat me to it. Told me I didn’t have to say anything, that he’s not as oblivious or naïve as we believe him to be.”

  “We?” Cael folded his arms over his chest. “What the hell do we have to do with it?”

  “You can be angry at me all you want, but I had my reasons for not telling him who I really work for. What’s your excuse?”

  “Excuse me?” Cael was indignant.

  “While you two went on your secret missions, getting kidnapped, tortured, putting yourselves in all kinds of danger, keeping him in the dark, thinking you were protecting him, he sat there waiting. And before you tell me I was the one sending you on those assignments, you better rethink that, because I sure as hell never sent you after Hogan. In fact, I took your team off that case, but you went behind my back and set off to settle your own score. That wasn’t the first time you went off on your own little missions, and it wasn’t the last either. Meanwhile, Tony waited for his boys to tell him the truth. When you didn’t, he went in search of answers.” Sparks stepped in front of them, her voice low and laced with hurt and anger. She pointed to both of them. “Your father has been playing this game longer than you, and he is far better at it than you know. I could have told him what you two were getting yourselves into, but I didn’t because that’s your job. You’re his sons.”

  Dex dropped his gaze, feeling like a shit for not having the balls to tell his dad the truth. They should have confided in Tony from the beginning. They’d convinced themselves they were protecting him, but all they’d managed to do was make him feel like he wasn’t good enough, as an agent or a father.

  “You’re right,” Dex said.

  Cael frowned at him. “What?”

  “We fucked up. I fucked up.” Dex turned to his brother. “I should have told Dad everything from the beginning. I mean, he’s our sergeant, for crying out loud. Instead, I did what I always do, let my insecurities get the better of me.” Dex forced himself to meet Sparks’s gaze. “You’re absolutely right about everything. I got scared, and I thought if he didn’t know what was going on, that he’d be safe, and look where that got us?”

  Cael’s expression softened, and he let out a sigh. “Dex, you can’t blame yourself for this. This is on the three of us. We should have told him.”

  Dex nodded. He needed to learn to turn to his family for help if he needed it, rather than trying to carry the world on his shoulders. What they did was dangerous, and that wasn’t about to change, so he needed to change. He’d told himself as much before, but it turned out that changing was harder than expected. It always was when it concerned his family.

  “We all have a lot to talk about, but right now, we need to worry about getting Tony back,” Dex said. He turned to Sparks. “What are you going to do when the Chairman calls for his answer?”

  Sparks placed a finger to her lips and pointed up. Right, the room wasn’t secure. “What can I do? I’m going to give him what he wants. Come on. We need to secure Hudson.” She headed for the door and motioned for them to follow. They left the conference room and followed her to her office. When the door closed, she took a seat behind her desk. Tapping at the interface, she brought up the security connections to her office and the rest of Unit Alpha. To Dex’s astonishment, she shut everything down.