They washed each other and kissed languidly in the warm water. Whatever happened over the next few days, they would be okay, because they had each other.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  [Location: Redacted, Morocco]

  Dex had never been great at self-control. He’d gotten better at it over the years with Sloane’s steady influence, but at times it was a challenge. Like tonight, when he’d have to stand among dozens of Humans he wanted to seriously punch in the face. Actually, putting them behind bars for the foreseeable future would be satisfying.

  After their shower, he and Sloane dressed and unpacked, leaving their cases empty, or so it seemed. Hidden beneath the lining, a secret compartment housed a small arsenal of weapons, undetected by Vaughan’s men. The firepower they brought with them would serve in an emergency.

  Dex and Sloane would rely solely on their skills and the gadgets Keane supplied him unless things went to shit, but Dex wasn’t about to let Cory down. The young Therian was somewhere close, and they were going to find him and get him the hell away from here.

  They had a couple of hours before it was time to dress for the party. Time to gather some intel.

  “I’ll be right back,” Dex told Sloane as he headed for the door. “I’m going to the front desk.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Dex left the room and headed back toward the main resort area. It was a great opportunity to activate the scanner in his watch and map out this side of the resort and surrounding area. As soon as he had more, he could send it to Keane to piece together until they could access Vaughan’s system. Thankfully, he didn’t run into any of the other guests on his walk. Taking his room key, he discreetly placed it against his phone and pressed a button.

  Reaching the front desk, he spotted the computer terminal right away. Karim, the young man he’d seen earlier, greeted him with a big smile.

  “Mr. Delacruz. I hope your accommodation is to your liking?”

  “Yes, thank you.” Dex waved his keycard. “I’m not sure what happened, but my room key isn’t working.”

  “Oh goodness! Well, I’ll get that fixed for you right away.”

  “Thank you, Karim.” Dex smiled as Karim slipped the now compromised keycard into the reader attached to the computer. While Karim reactivated the card, the Trojan horse Dex’s phone had installed did its thing, infiltrating the resort’s system.

  “All done,” Karim said cheerfully as he handed the card back to Dex. “Is there anything else I can help you with?”

  “Nope. You’ve been extremely helpful, Karim. Thank you.” With a wink, Dex left and headed for his room. As soon as he was inside with the door locked behind him, he hurried over to the desk where Sloane had set up their laptop.

  “How’d it go?” Sloane asked.

  Dex tapped the top furthermost key on the laptop’s keyboard with a picture of a white-and-red bull’s-eye. A red dot appeared in the center of the black screen, and Dex leaned in, allowing the dot to scan his retina. The dot turned green, prompting Dex to place his thumb on the trackpad. Once the system recognized his thumbprint, he entered his access code, giving him clearance to TIN’s Intelligence network.

  “We should have access to the resort’s system. Let’s see what we’ve got,” Dex said, studying the information that scrolled up one side of his screen.

  Sloane came to stand beside him, a hand on Dex’s shoulder, both reassuring and comforting, and something inside Dex settled. Between the scan performed by Dex’s watch and the access they’d just gained, they should have something to work with. Dex tapped his earpiece. “Keane, the package has been delivered.”

  “Un momento, por favor,” Keane said. “Yes, we’re in! It looks like the resort’s security surveillance system is on the same network, so I can get you a detailed 3D image of the entire complex. We also have access to the booking system.”

  All the usual information required for a resort booking scrolled up the screen. Guest names, credit card information, guest info, billing address. He noticed each booking had a guest with no name or information. “I’m thinking the entries that say ‘Guest’ are the Therian companions.” When he clicked on one, he got a security clearance pop-up window. “The Therian information is protected,” Dex said with a frown. He got a bad feeling about this. “Considering who these Humans are and how wealthy they are, why all the secrecy around the Therians and not the Human guests?”

  Sloane huffed. “Something’s definitely up.”

  “I’ll take care of it. For now, familiarize yourselves with the Human guests. Keane out.”

  Vaughan’s security, along with a shit ton of firepower, were in luxury “tents” just behind the property. Returning his attention to the guest rooms, Dex clicked on one of the suites, bringing up its occupants and their profiles, at least the Human ones. Sloane pointed to the largest of the suites.

  “That’s Vaughan’s. We’ll need to do a search. There’s no sign of the lab being on the property. Where do you suppose he’s hiding it?”

  Dex leaned back in his chair. “Vaughan hasn’t remained in business this long without being extremely careful. His client list alone can put a lot of people away for a very long time. As soon as I clone his phone, we’ll have access to his calls and texts. Maybe we can get him or his security to lead us to the lab. We’ll need to do some recon.”

  “When do you want to search his room?”

  “I’ll have to wait for the opportunity to present itself. He’s going to be watching us like a hawk.” Dex pointed to the different resort areas. The place was huge with the main house having a courtyard and several lounge areas. It extended out with an infinity pool surrounded by lounge chairs, tents on the grass nearby, and shaded cabanas. Beyond that were the tennis courts. Luckily the resort was roughly laid out in a rectangular shape. “He’s got surveillance equipment everywhere, especially where the retreat events are taking place.” They’d have to be incredibly careful not to let their covers slip. “I’ll get a tracker on Vaughan tonight, but we have to be extremely cautious. Too many unknown variables.”

  For the next hour, they familiarized themselves with all the Human guests and their plus-ones. They still didn’t have intel on the Therian companions, which was worrying.

  “I’ve got something for you,” Keane said. “The encryption on the Therians is extensive. Right now, I’ve only managed to get information on the type of Therian each Human has brought with them. I’ll keep working on the rest and let you know when I have more intel.”

  “Thanks, K.” Dex accessed the new intel that came through from Keane. “No wonder Vaughan’s got such a hard-on for you. You’re the only jaguar Therian on the list. Hughes brought a tiger Therian with him, but the rest are wolf and leopard Therians.”

  Dex stood in front of the mirror, fastening the sterling silver cuff links of his ridiculously expensive dress shirt in preparation for the evening’s reception. Not that he was complaining. When he slipped into his tux jacket, he looked damned good, the tailored suit accentuating his shoulders, chest, waist, and ass.

  “Fuck, I never get tired of seeing you in those suits.” Sloane pressed himself up against Dex from behind and slid his arms around him. He nibbled on Dex’s earlobe and brushed his lips against Dex’s temple, making him purr.

  “Mm, I love it when you stroke my ego.”

  “Your ego’s not the only thing I love stroking,” Sloane said with a groan.

  Dex huffed out a breath and adjusted himself before straightening. “How about you not give me a hard-on when we’re about to go to a party hosted by a psychopath?”

  “But it’s so much fun,” Sloane teased, earning himself a playful tug on the ear from his husband.

  “Of course, my favorite part is when you get me out of the suits,” Dex said.

  Sloane shook his head and swatted Dex’s wandering hand. “What happened to no hard-ons before the party?”

  “Turnabout and all that, Brodie.” Dex pulled away and headed for the door. Sloane joined him, pausing as he reached for the handle.

  “You ready to do this?”

  Dex rolled his shoulders and smoothed down his tux jacket. He stood tall, chin lifted slightly, his posture flawless before he made his way over to Sloane and nipped at his sexy jawline. “You bet that sweet ass.”

  With a soft laugh, Sloane opened the door for Dex. One of the staff waited outside.

  “Good evening, Mr. Delacruz. I’m here to escort you to the lounge.”

  Dex nodded a greeting before motioning for the young Human to get going. Sloane stepped up beside Dex, and the young man’s eyes widened. Sloane had that effect on people, always had. Dex cleared his throat, and the guy quickly got moving. They silently walked through the gardens and into the main building, where they turned down a lavishly decorated corridor filled with Moroccan art. At the end of the hall stood a set of carved doors.

  “Enjoy your evening, Mr. Delacruz,” the young man said nervously, his gaze moving to Sloane again. Sloane snapped his teeth, and the kid jumped with a start and took off like someone had lit his ass on fire.

  “I think he was a little intimidated by you,” Dex said with a chuckle as they headed toward the end of the hall. Everything they said and did since leaving their suite was most likely being recorded. If the number of hidden cameras along the path had been anything to go by, Vaughan had more surveillance around the complex than most small countries.

  Sloane laughed. “A little? The kid practically shit himself.”

  “Language,” Dex said with a sigh. “We’ve discussed this.”

  “Yeah, yeah. I won’t curse around your fancy friends.” He grabbed Dex’s arm and jerked him around to face him before thrusting his hips suggestively. “I’ll leave the fucks for when you’re in my ass.”

  Dex hummed as he traced a finger along Sloane’s jaw. “I know that look. How much is it going to cost me this time?”

  “I’ve got my eye on this sweet little Fat Boy 114. About twenty-two grand, plus gear.” Sloane grabbed Dex’s ass and pressed his lips to Dex’s neck. “You want me to get down on my knees right here? I’ll let you fuck my mouth. You know how much I love your cock.”

  Dex hummed. “I do know, and you can show me how much you want that motorcycle later. I hate arriving late.”

  With a sigh, Sloane stepped back. “Fine.”

  They reached the welcome reception, and Dex had to give it to Vaughan, the setup was impressive. The massive room was beautifully decorated in rich brown leather and dark carved wood with red and gold accents. Three sets of double glass doors led out onto a deck with more seating. The lighting was intimate, the bar to the right of the room already filled with guests. Traditional Moroccan music played through the speakers, lively but soft enough to allow guests to have conversations.

  The Human guests were decked out in expensive summer suits and gowns, their Therian companions dressed in either sleek dresses that revealed plenty of skin, or formfitting shirts and dress slacks. It was obvious the Therians were on display, but it was the collars and leashes on a couple of them that caught Dex’s attention. They were too far away for Dex to get a good look at the Therians, but he intended to rectify that situation quickly. They needed intel on the Therians and what kind of threat they posed.

  The moment he and Sloane entered the room, all eyes were on them. He couldn’t blame them for gawking at Sloane. Dressed in black slacks that hugged his trim waist, a white shirt with the top two buttons undone and his sleeves rolled up his muscular forearms, coupled with his height, broad shoulders, chiseled features, and handsome face, he was stunning.

  The Therians in attendance were all beautiful, and although much of their attire was suggestive, none of them exuded the kind of sexual prowess that Sloane possessed. He moved like his felid half, sleek and silent, as if he were on the hunt, his amber eyes all but glowing.

  Several of the Human guests came to greet Dex, their eyes darting to Sloane, who stood beside him, hands shoved in his pockets like he didn’t give a shit. As far as Brodie was concerned, tonight’s festivities were a minor inconvenience, one in the way of what mattered—him getting a new motorcycle out of his employer.

  A tall, slender dark-haired woman held out a hand to Dex. “Mr. Delacruz, Eliza Ramos. How wonderful to meet you.”

  “The pleasure is all mine,” Dex said, taking her hand and kissing the back of it.

  Some of the others introduced themselves. Mr. Blair, whose wife was at their table with a female leopard Therian. Mrs. Mullins, whose husband had just passed a drink to a female leopard Therian across the room, and Mr. Lynch, whose girlfriend stood intimately close to a male wolf Therian. Ramos, Dex already knew, unfortunately.

  “Delacruz, how lovely to finally meet you. Otis Hughes,” Hughes said, his eyes darting to Sloane and back. The man seemed incapable of keeping his eyes off Sloane. The young male tiger Therian hanging off his arm curled his lip as he looked Sloane over. It was then that Dex was struck by how young he actually was.

  “I don’t see what the big deal is. He’d old.”

  Hughes threw his head back and laughed. Heat filled his gaze when his eyes landed on Sloane, his grin almost feral. “Now, now, Dawson. There’s something to be said for experience. Isn’t that right, Mr. Delacruz?”

  Dex kicked himself to respond as Delacruz and not focus on how Dawson was barely legal. He tilted his head in agreement and smiled at Dawson, the warning in his tone unmistakable. “Brodie might be older than you, but make no mistake, he can fuck circles around you.” Everyone around them broke off into surprised laughter.

  “Oh!” Mrs. Ramos playfully smacked Dex’s arm. “Scandalous.”

  She had no idea.

  With a chuckle, Dex politely excused himself, pretending to keep an air of mystery about him. A waiter extended a silver tray holding several glasses of champagne, and Dex waved a hand at Sloane, who took one for each of them. He handed a glass to Dex and leaned in, his grin wicked.

  “Language, huh?”

  “Little shit. As if he could compare to you.” Despite Dex’s growl, he actually found the whole thing disturbing. He needed to get a better look at the other Therians. Sloane had clearly noticed as well, judging by the anger hidden behind his amber eyes.

  “Careful,” Sloane teased, “or someone might get the impression you care.”

  “I don’t like anyone fucking with what’s mine. And you”—Dex cupped Sloane through his slacks—“are mine.”

  Sloane moaned. “I love it when you get all handsy.”

  With a sly smile, Dex released Sloane and took a sip of his champagne. He scanned the crowd, pretending to people-watch rather than the intel gathering he was doing. When they’d first arrived, he’d made note of all their potential escape routes as well as what security was positioned where.

  Every guest and Therian companion was in attendance. Dex made note of the staff working the event, from the waitstaff to the caterers refilling the hors d’oeuvres. Vaughan, surprisingly, was nowhere to be seen.

  After keeping his distance for a good hour, Dex had the room’s interest, so he spent the next hour making small talk with the other guests, most of whom followed Sloane around with their eyes. It gave Dex the perfect opportunity to clone their phones. He schmoozed, made idle chitchat, charmed them. A hand to the shoulder here, a squeeze on the arm there. By the end of the night, he’d have every phone cloned and his watch would have captured a 3D scan of everyone and everything surrounding him.

  Just when Dex started to wonder if Vaughan was going to make an appearance at his own party, the guy emerged with a flourish, wearing what looked like… Was he wearing a smoking jacket? Yep. A red-and-black velvet smoking jacket. In the middle of the dessert. Wow.

  Dex turned to Sloane and lifted his champagne flute to his lips, murmuring quietly so only Sloane could hear. “Did you know Hugh Hefner was hosting this party?”

  “Didn’t you get your dad a robe like that last Christmas?”

  Holy shit! Dex almost choked on his drink. He’d totally gotten Tony a black-and-red robe last Christmas. “Same colors, more sophisticated. Less seventies porn mogul.”

  “Thanks for that mental image,” Sloane muttered. “I’ll never be able to have sex again.”

  It was Dex’s turn to laugh. He handed his empty glass to a passing server just as Vaughan threw his hands out like some eighties game show host.

  “Welcome, esteemed guests!”

  Dex joined the rest of the guests in clapping as Vaughan bowed and soaked up the attention. Vaughan placed a hand over his heart—or where his heart would have been if he had one.

  “Thank you. And thank you so much for humoring me with my little retreat. When I put the itinerary together, I did so with the hopes of providing you with a little escape from the harshness of the world out there, a safe and accepting environment where you could, for at least a few days, enjoy yourselves and your companions without judgment.”

  The crowd applauded and cheerfully shouted their approval. It took a hell of a lot for Dex not to roll his eyes. Did these Humans really believe themselves oppressed? That they deserved sympathy because a good portion of the world didn’t agree with their views on Therians?

  “Now that you’ve had time to mingle and get a few drinks in you, I think you’re ready for tonight’s festivities. Please, if you’ll be so kind as to follow me to the roof terrace.”

  The crowd began moving, following Vaughan out into the hall toward another corridor and a set of stairs that led up to the highest roof terrace. Dex and Sloane kept to the end of the crowd as they headed outdoors. At first glance, it looked like any other opulent terrace, with atmospheric lighting in the form of candles and lanterns.