Sloane nodded. He glanced over at the ring and grinned. “Okay. How about a few rounds?”

  Ash eyed him. “If I bruise you, your annoying fiancé is going to bitch at me.”

  Sloane shrugged before he started to remove his boots. “Guess I’ll have to make sure you don’t bruise me.”

  Ash laughed. “Oh shit. So now that you’re TIN, you think you can kick my ass?”

  “I still have a few days before it’s official. What’s the matter? Afraid your CQC isn’t up to snuff? What have you been doing during all those TIN training sessions?”

  “Fuck you. I can kick your ass no matter what title you got.”

  “Come on, then.”

  “When your man comes whining, just remember you asked for it.” Ash grabbed a pair of gloves and began slipping them on.

  “Gloves? What happened to ‘you asked for it’?”

  “Are you kidding? Sarge will kick my ass if I bruise that pretty face of yours just before your wedding.” He wrinkled his nose, and Sloane got it. None of them wanted to think otherwise. Tony had to be okay. They had to get him back.

  Ash hit his gloves together and winked at Sloane. “I’ll make sure they’re small bruises that’ll heal quickly.”

  Sloane pulled on his own gloves. “Or you could just not hit me in the face.”

  “Where’s the fun in that?”

  “Right. Okay, then.” Sloane climbed into the ring as Ash did the same. He hit his gloves together, hopping on his toes and squaring his shoulders as Ash prepped himself. When Ash was ready, he hit his gloves together.

  “Okay, hotshot. Show me what you got.”

  Sloane shook his head, amused. Ash had no idea.

  “No? Okay. Me first, then.” Ash approached, and Sloane readied himself. He waited patiently as he’d been taught to do.

  Over the course of the last few months he’d been trained in all kinds of different martial arts and combat techniques along with Dex, until they each found a fighting style that worked best for them. For Dex it had been easier. He was fast, adaptable, and far more flexible than Sloane. Sloane was bulkier, heavier, and although he could be quick, his movements were better suited to techniques that required less fancy moves and more focus on precision and force. Moves that aimed to get the job done as quickly as possible and fewer of them. So when Ash threw a fierce left hook, Sloane dodged it, slapping his arm away and retaliating with a right hook to the ribs.

  Ash cursed under his breath, quickly pulling back.

  “Come on, Ash. You left yourself wide-open,” Sloane teased.

  Ash came at him again, keeping close to Sloane, who worked to anticipate Ash’s moves. He’d watched Ash train and fight for years. He was familiar with Ash’s strengths and weaknesses. Ash liked to mix things up, and although his left was almost as strong as his right, he tended to favor his right. Out in the field, they didn’t come across a lot of perps trained in CQC, at least not until lately. For someone as big as Ash, he moved fast, but most importantly, he hit hard. Sloane was quick to block Ash’s fists, making sure to stay away from Ash’s elbows and knees. They moved around the ring, and Sloane could see Ash getting frustrated with Sloane not only constantly blocking him but not hitting back.

  Ash struck with a fierce combination of left and right hooks, the last of which Sloane ducked under, rolled, then popped up behind Ash and kicked at the back of his knee, sending Ash down onto one knee. With a growl, Ash got to his feet and turned.

  Sloane held his arms out to his sides and shrugged, his grin smug.

  Ash laughed. “Okay. So that’s how it is. I was gonna go easy on you, but now”—he hit his gloves together—“it’s on.”

  Sloane grinned. “I hear a lot of trash talk, and yet I’m still looking pretty.”

  Ash threw his head back and laughed, and it was a good sound to hear. With a nod, he pulled off his gloves and tossed them out of the ring. Sloane smirked and followed his lead. This was the Ash he knew and loved. Confident, cocky, and ready to take on the world.

  Ash charged, relentless in his attack, and Sloane put his training to the test, blocking Ash’s punches, anticipating the blows by what he knew of Ash and his fighting technique. Sweat dripped down Sloane’s face as he protected himself from an elbow to the head, uppercuts, punches to his ribs and kidneys. The more Sloane blocked, the fiercer Ash became. Lion Therians had incredible stamina. They would fight until their dying breath, and Ash was no exception. He was fueled by his inability to land a hit. Sloane knew if he kept this up, he’d eventually tire Ash out, but what would be the fun in that?

  Sloane brought his hands down on Ash’s fists, smacking them away from his body before kicking out, sending Ash reeling. Sloane moved in close, striking Ash in the chest, hearing his sharp intake of breath. He threw his arms around Ash’s waist, lifted him off his feet, turned, and brought them both hard against the canvas with Sloane landing on top of him. He tried to roll off, but Ash was quick.

  “Fuck!” Ash threw his arm around Sloane’s neck and wrapped his leg around Sloane’s waist.

  “Are you… seriously… trying to fucking knock me out?” Sloane asked, feeling his airway constrict. He grabbed Ash’s wrist and pulled down with all his strength, bringing his chin toward his chest as far as he could go, giving himself more breathing room.

  “That’s right, fucker. You’re not the only one who’s learned a few new tricks.”

  Sloane laughed. He managed to roll onto his side, bringing Ash with him, and got to his knees.

  “What the fuck are you doing?” Ash growled.

  “This.” Sloane lifted them both just enough to make it hurt when he dropped down.

  “Fucker!” Ash ground out, but he didn’t let go of his death grip on Sloane.

  Sloane punched Ash in the ribs, receiving a smack to the head. “Ouch! What the fuck?”

  “That’s what you get for leaving me, asshole.”

  “I’m not… leaving,” Sloane grunted, punching Ash again on his side.

  “Fuck! Stop doing that.”

  “Then let go.”

  “Fuck you!”

  Sloane rolled over, pushed up again, and dropped them, landing on Ash again.

  “Motherfucker,” Ash laughed.

  “Remember when we were kids, and we’d push our beds together so we could pretend we were wrestlers?” Sloane pushed at Ash’s arm, but Ash was having none of it.

  “I recall kicking your ass,” Ash replied, panting. His grip loosened, and Sloane smiled.

  “Only because you were bigger.”

  “And stronger,” Ash added.

  “But you always made the same mistake.”

  “Oh yeah? And what’s that?”

  “Thinking you’d won before the fight was over.” Sloane grabbed Ash’s right foot, pulled it toward him, and jammed his elbow into the side of Ash’s knee.

  “Son of a bitch!” Ash let go of Sloane’s neck, and Sloane rolled off him, landing next to Ash. They both lay on their backs, panting.

  “I know you’re not leaving, but you’re not going to be with us. We’ve done everything together since we were kids. We’ve been on the same team since we joined the THIRDS, before you were a team leader.”

  “Yeah, and you remember how weird that was at first? Me giving orders, and you following them?”

  It had been a big transition for them. Ash had always been the one to look after Sloane, to advise him and lay some hard truths on him. Sloane had happily followed Ash in everything when they were kids, and suddenly, Sloane was the one leading, and Ash was the one following.

  “I remember,” Ash muttered.

  “But no matter what, you always had my back.”

  “I still do.” Ash sat up, and Sloane followed suit. “Don’t get me wrong. I know why you’re doing what you’re doing, and I support that.” He averted his gaze, his lips pulled into a frown. “I’m proud of you. Not a lot of people would have the balls to do what you’re about to do. I just hate that everything has to change.” He motioned around them. “Look at this place. There’s going to be teams of agents in here looking to me for help. These guys are already at their lowest point, and Sparks thinks I can bring them back from that? I mean, Jesus, Sloane. Most people are offended just by my presence alone.”

  Sloane stood with a chuckle. He held a hand out to Ash and helped him up. They climbed out of the ring and grabbed a couple of towels from the shelf. Sloane looked around at the new equipment, unused and pristine. Everything was stocked. Soon it would be full of life. It would also be full of pain, loss, and desperation. Taking a seat on the bench, Sloane looked up at Ash.

  “Do you think Sparks made you team leader just because you said so? She made you team leader because she knows you’re ready, Ash. You’ve been ready for some time. You’re also not alone in this. You have Cael, me, Dex, the rest of our family to back you up. I know Dex and I won’t always be here, but that’s okay. I’m marrying your boyfriend’s brother, for crying out loud. There are still going to be date nights and movie nights and dinners at Tony’s. Plus, you’ll be plenty busy now that Cael’s moving in.”

  Ash nodded and shoved his hands into his pockets before deciding to take a seat next to Sloane. The mix of concern, uncertainty, and fear in his best friend’s amber eyes squeezed at Sloane’s heart. Something was really bothering Ash, and it wasn’t just Sloane working for TIN.

  “What is it?”

  “I received my new security clearance last week, giving me access to the list of teams who are being considered for our training program. I started looking through them, and it scared the shit out of me.” Ash shook his head, and he let out a heavy sigh. “You have no idea, Sloane. Some of the fucked-up shit that’s happened to these guys… No wonder their teams are broken. I’m not just talking about a loss within their team, a difficult case, or any of the messed-up stuff that we encounter out there. There are things that have happened to some of these agents that no one should have to go through.” Ash ran a hand over his face. “How am I supposed to get through to a team leader who watched his entire team get blown up right in front of him?” Tears welled in Ash’s eyes. “How do I help the agent whose partner was kidnapped, raped, and shot in the head, right in front of her?” Ash shook his head as he tried to keep it together. “We’ve dealt with a lot of shit, but nothing compared to what some of these agents have been through. Why would Sparks think I’m the right guy for this job? And what if we lose the sarge? Jesus, Sloane, we’re going to end up on the same list, just as broken as the rest of these teams.”

  Sloane stood and took hold of Ash’s face, forcing him to meet his gaze. “First of all, we’re not going to lose the sarge. Second, we sure as hell are not going to end up broken. We’re a family, Ash. Whatever happens, we’re going to be there for one another and get through it together. As for the other agents, no one says you have to hold anyone’s hand. Sparks knows you, knows how you handle things. Maybe your in-your-face, no-nonsense approach is what some of these agents need. If a softer touch is needed, you have Cael. If you need a gentle hand, you have Hobbs. Or if an ass-kicking is what someone needs, you have Letty. Rosa can patch them up afterwards and feed them.”

  “If I want someone sniped, I have Cal,” Ash said, blinking back his tears. His wobbly smile and the mischief in his eyes made Sloane laugh.

  “Exactly.” Sloane released him. “My point is, you’re not alone. You’re going to do great. I’m proud of you too. This is your chance to do for these agents what you did for me. You taught me that no matter how bad things get, that if I kept fighting, if I trusted in you, that we would make it through, and things would get better. You never lied or gave me false hope. You taught me there are no easy answers in life, no shortcuts. Because of you, I learned the real meaning of strength, loyalty, and family.”

  Ash wrinkled his nose, tears welling in his eyes again. “Asshole.”

  With a dopey grin, Sloane brought Ash into a hug, and Ash returned his embrace. Sloane was going to miss having Ash at his side like nothing else. As if reading his thoughts, Ash spoke up, his voice rough with emotion.

  “Remember your promise. If you need backup, you fucking call me.”

  Sloane squeezed Ash tight. “I promise.”

  A round of applause startled them, and Sloane turned to find their family.

  “Yeah, yeah,” Ash growled, wiping a tear from his eye. “Nothing to see here. Drop and give me twenty burpees.”

  Calvin laughed, and when Ash joined in the laughter, the rest of the crew weren’t far behind. Sloane knew better. Ash’s humor vanished, and his expression turned hard.

  “I’m not fucking kidding.”

  “What?” Letty groaned.

  They all dropped and got started, with only Cael standing there.

  “You too, sweetheart. No favoritism.”

  Cael narrowed his eyes. “Are you saying Sloane never showed Dex favoritism?”

  Sloane shook his head. “Not where training was concerned. In fact, you know better than anyone that I was harder on him than the rest of you.”

  Cael huffed. “Fine.” He joined everyone else, grumbling as they followed orders.

  “When you’re done here, I’ll see you guys in the conference room,” Sloane said, waving at them as Ash walked with him out of the training bay. Ash grinned wide and threw an arm around Sloane’s shoulders.

  “You know, I think I’m gonna enjoy this whole team leader thing.”

  Heaven help them.

  Sloane’s phone went off. It was a text from Sparks. Dr. Winters was ready for him. “I gotta go see the doc.”

  “Good luck.” Ash gave his shoulder a pat. “I’ll let you know if we hear anything from Austen.”

  “Thanks.”

  Sloane left Ash and headed back upstairs to Dr. Winters’s office. As soon as he’d walked into the waiting room, the door to Dr. Winters’s office opened, and Dex walked out. Butterflies fluttered in Sloane’s stomach at the sight of Dex’s beautiful smile. He loved that Dex still caused that reaction in him. Sloane returned Dex’s smile and waited as Dex made his way over. He laid a hand on Sloane’s upper arm, squeezing subtly.

  “Try not to give away too many of my secrets,” Dex teased, winking at Sloane before he walked off. Sloane shook his head in amusement. He joined Dr. Winters, greeting him as he walked through the door.

  Winters closed the door with a smile. “Sloane. Thank you for seeing me. As I told Dex, I know this is a most inopportune time, but circumstances dictate we make sure you and your team have the support you need.”

  “Thank you, Doctor.” Sloane took a seat on the couch, picking up Dex’s scent on the throw pillow beside him. He took it and placed it on his lap.

  Winters smiled warmly at him. “I’m happy to see he brings you comfort.”

  Sloane tilted his head in question, and Winters motioned to the pillow. “His scent is on that pillow. I imagine it’s why you picked it up.”

  “Oh, um, yeah,” Sloane replied with a sheepish grin.

  “You’ve both brought a sense of calm to each other. Well, I would say you bring him calmness, and he lifts your spirits. There’s a lightheartedness to your soul you didn’t have when he first joined.”

  Sloane nodded his agreement. “I wasn’t in a good place, but you know that.”

  Winters’s gaze was sympathetic. “I do. It was a very difficult road for you, but you’ve come such a long way, opening yourself up to the healing process. You stopped believing you were incapable of finding happiness again. I’m very proud of the progress you’ve made, Sloane.”

  “Thank you.” Sloane swallowed hard. It had been a difficult road, and there had been times when he’d stumbled. When everything looked bleak, and he was surrounded by pain. Dex had been his guiding light, helping him steer through the darkness to safe shores.

  “How are you handling the current situation? Sergeant Maddock has been a father figure to you since you joined the THIRDS, and he’s your fiancé’s father.”

  Sloane let out a heavy sigh. “It’s difficult, but I’m doing the best I can for my team and for Dex.” Just like Ash was doing his best for Cael. Between Dex and Ash, they didn’t allow Cael to get swept up in his anxiety, and Ash had managed to prevent Cael from having a bad panic attack like he’d had when Tony had been shot. “It’s been stressful for all of us, with all the changes, the wedding, and trying to bring Tony back home safe.”

  “And how are you juggling your roles as team leader, future training officer, and soon-to-be husband?”

  “Right now, my focus is on doing everything I can to support my team and find our sergeant. Dex and I have had some time to get used to our dual roles over the years. Sure, this time it’s more of a challenge because I want to be there for him emotionally, but we both have a job to do, and we acknowledge that.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. You seem to be handling the situation well.”

  Sloane shrugged. “I have to. That’s my job as team leader. To be the touchstone for everyone on my team.”

  “Lead by example,” Winters said, nodding.

  “Yes. My team looks to me to keep it together. To keep them going no matter what. I have to be confident in what I say and what I do.”

  “And if the worst comes to pass?” Winters asked gently. “If you’re wrong. What do you think will happen to your team? To Dex? You’ve assured them they can bring Sergeant Maddock home. Should you be making those kinds of promises? What if you can’t deliver?”

  Sloane thought about that. It would tear them apart, but… Sloane wouldn’t let them fall. He’d been in this position before. He knew grief intimately. Suffering was an old friend. One Sloane had turned his back on some time ago. He knew the path to darkness like the back of his hand. There was no way in hell he would let Dex or the rest of his family end up there. Sloane met Winters’s eyes.

  “They’re strong. Whatever happens, we’ll get through it. Together.”

  Winters opened his mouth to reply, but Sloane’s phone went off. “I’m so sorry, Doctor. I need to take this.”