“It’s probably no surprise that expressing emotion is not something that comes easy to me. In my position and experience, becoming emotionally involved with anyone, forming any kind of attachment, means putting myself and those I may come to care about at risk. Over the years, it’s been difficult to keep myself distanced from all of you, and although I still believe that there’s a great risk involved in letting people in, I will say that I’ve learned a great deal from Destructive Delta.” She swallowed hard and took a seat behind her desk. “I learned the true meaning of family. I also learned that your emotions don’t make you weaker but stronger. Thank you for all you’ve done.” She smiled warmly at them. “I am exceptionally proud of you. All of you.” She faltered, her eyes getting glassy before she quickly looked away, and the emotion was gone. “You should all get some rest before the celebrating begins.” She smiled at Dex. “You have a wedding rehearsal to prepare for.”

  “What about the Chairman?” Sloane asked. “Someone obviously put in the order for the Makhai to fall back.”

  “Intel informs me that the Chairman is in the wind. It’s possible he’s going to try and leave the country to regroup. We’re monitoring all aircrafts. I’ll let you know as soon as I know more. In the meantime, remain alert.”

  Everyone turned to go, but Tony spoke up. “Dex, Cael, could you stay?”

  Sloane put his arm to Dex’s elbow and leaned in. “I’m going to hit the showers. I’ll wait for you in the locker room.”

  Dex nodded. The door closed, and it was just the four of them. Cael crossed his arms over his chest, the stubborn set of his jaw telling Dex this was not going to be fun.

  “I’m not talking about this,” Cael said, eyes narrowed.

  “Cael,” Tony said with a soft sigh. “I’m sorry things came to light the way they did. That’s not how I wanted you to find out.”

  “That’s the problem, Dad. You kept this from me.” He frowned at Dex. “You both did.” He turned back to Tony. “Were you even going to tell me?”

  “Of course I was.” Tony took a seat on the edge of Sparks’s desk. “I was trying to find the right moment.”

  “There is no right moment,” Cael replied heatedly. “I mean, really, Dad? Her? Out of everyone you could have picked to get into bed with, you pick her?”

  Tony’s expression hardened. “Mind your manners, son. I taught you better than that.”

  Cael pressed his lips together in a thin line, his fists at his sides before he replied. “Yes, sir.”

  “My relationship is my business, just like your relationship with Ash is yours, and Dex’s relationship with Sloane is his. We’re all adults who know how to handle ourselves.”

  “Really? Because when you found out about Ash and Sloane, you showed up at Dekatria with Old Betsy.”

  Sparks’s eyes went comically wide, and Dex had to put a fist to his mouth to keep from laughing. Shit. Cael totally called their dad out on that one.

  Tony blinked at Cael before rubbing his chin. “I did, didn’t I?”

  “Yes,” Cael replied, crossing his arms over his chest again. “Because you thought they were messing with your boys.” Cael shot a look at Sparks. “So, tell me, Dad. How is this situation different?”

  “The difference is, no matter how worried I was, I love those boys. I watched them grow from uncertain youths to fierce grown men. I may not have trusted them with your hearts, but I trusted them with your lives. Whereas you two never failed to let me know how much you disliked and distrusted Sonya. Yes, I should have told you both sooner, and this is on me, but you didn’t exactly make it easy for me. I love you boys. The last thing I ever wanted to do was let you down, and I felt like somehow by developing feelings for Sonya, I had.”

  Dex glanced over at Sparks, who was looking off to the side at nothing, lost in her own thoughts. It was obvious she knew, and for the first time, Dex felt bad for her. She knew Tony felt like he was letting his sons down by being with her, and she still stuck by his side? Dex frowned at his dad. “That last part was, uh, kinda harsh, Dad.”

  Tony arched an eyebrow at him. “I know, but I was honest from the beginning.”

  Dex turned to Sparks. “And you just accepted that?”

  Sparks lifted her gaze, her expression unreadable again. She was hiding from him. “Why wouldn’t I? I never gave either of you a reason to feel any differently toward me. You and Cael are your father’s whole world. Of course he would feel that way. Whatever you may believe, I never intended for this to happen. We both fought it for a long time.”

  Dex turned his attention back to his dad. “You’ve never let us down.”

  “I must have at some point. I mean, why else would you two not confide in me? When did I start needing to be coddled and protected?”

  It struck Dex then just how bad they’d shaken their dad’s confidence. “You’re right. We should have confided in you from the beginning. We told Sparks as much when she called us out on our bullshit.”

  Tony’s brows shot up. “She did?” He turned to her. “You did?”

  She nodded but remained quiet.

  “She was right. How long have we been going behind your back, getting caught up in all kinds of shit, and keeping it from you? We thought we were protecting you, but this whole thing has proven that no matter what we do, we live in a world with no guarantees. We’re family. Of course we’re going to worry, but we need to trust in one another, and that means trusting in the decisions we all make.”

  Dex turned to Cael, who was scowling at him. “So, does that mean we’re telling the truth about everything?” Cael narrowed his eyes, and Dex knew exactly what his brother was talking about. Tony might know about Sparks being TIN, but there was no way he knew about Dex being tortured by Wolf, or they’d be having a completely different type of conversation. From the corner of his eye, Dex saw Sparks tense, a barely audible gasp escaping her. There was something there. Something Dex couldn’t quite put his finger on. Dex met his brother’s gaze. Cael’s big gray eyes waited expectantly.

  “It means we need to trust one another. It also means we need to trust that the decisions we’re making are the right ones for the right reasons.” With that, he walked over to his dad and hugged him. When he pulled back, he swallowed past the lump in his throat. “I’m glad you’re okay. You need anything?”

  Tony smiled warmly. “Got everything I need right here. You boys go on. Get some rest. The next few days are gonna be kind of intense.”

  Dex stared at Tony and let out a bark of laughter. Only his dad would call a wedding intense after what he’d just been through. Dex headed for the door, waiting for Cael, who’d stopped to give their dad a big hug. After some murmured words between them, Cael joined Dex. The door to the office closed behind them, and Cael frowned at Dex.

  “What happened to telling the truth? Let me guess, it’s not your place to tell.”

  When had his little brother become such a smartass? “There’s a reason she hasn’t told him,” Dex said, making his way to the locker room. He was looking forward to a nice hot shower and then going home and crawling into bed with his man.

  “Yeah, she’s saving her own ass. She knows if she tells him, he’s done.”

  “No, there’s something else. I’m sure of it.” Dex paused outside the locker room. “You think Dad’s really okay after everything that happened?”

  Cael sighed. “You know Dad. He doesn’t sit and think about things. They happen, it’s over, and he moves on. Either way, after he gets debriefed, he has to see Dr. Winters. Hopefully the doctor can get through to him.”

  Dex hoped so. Their dad wasn’t big on sharing his worries or insecurities. He wasn’t a big talker, especially when it came to his own well-being.

  Inside the locker room, Sloane sat on a bench talking to Ash, and Dex took a moment to admire his beautiful mate’s profile. Sloane was down to his black undershirt and charcoal gray boxer briefs. He had one ankle up on his opposite knee, his big hand and long fingers resting on his ankle. The V-neck T-shirt was snug, stretching across his broad shoulders and over his biceps, since he was slightly turned to face Ash. His stubble had grown in thick. Dex stalked over and straddled the bench beside Sloane, who was engrossed in whatever he and Ash were talking about. Dex slid his arm around Sloane’s waist and rested his chin on Sloane’s shoulder. They were pressed together from head to toe.

  “Mm, comfy,” Dex said. He inhaled deep and groaned. “You smell so good.”

  “And on that note,” Ash said, tugging at one of Cael’s belt loops playfully. “Hey, sweetheart. Want me to get you anything from the canteen while you shower?”

  Cael smiled brightly as he leaned in and kissed Ash. “A hot chocolate?”

  “You got it.” Ash stood and kissed Cael in return before Cael headed off to the showers.

  “I guess I should shower,” Dex mumbled, not wanting to move from where he was pressed up against Sloane. Sloane turned his head and patted Dex’s thigh.

  “Make it a quick one. I just want to get you home.”

  Somehow Dex found the energy to spring up and off the bench. He cupped Sloane’s face and kissed him long and deep until he heard Ash grumble beside him.

  “Do you mind? No one needs to see you two sucking face.”

  Sloane laughed against Dex’s lips, and Dex reluctantly pulled back. He smiled knowingly at Ash. “You’re just jealous because that’s what you wish you were doing right now with Cael.”

  Ash’s face flushed, and he muttered something under his breath before walking off. With a laugh, Dex stripped down to his boxers. He grabbed his toiletry bag from his locker as Sloane stepped up behind him, nuzzling his hair, his voice low and husky when he spoke.

  “You really need to hurry up.” Sloane trailed a finger down Dex’s spine, making his body shiver. “I want to get you in bed and see what it takes to make you purr.”

  Dex shut his locker and turned to Sloane, his toiletry bag covering the erection he now sported. Sloane licked his bottom lip, and Dex followed his sinful tongue. He lifted his gaze, a moan escaping him at Sloane’s blown pupils.

  “I, uh, guess I better go shower.”

  “Quick.”

  “Quick,” Dex agreed before walking around Sloane and jogging toward the showers, a wide grin spreading across his face. So, Sloane wanted to see what it would take to make Dex purr? Challenge accepted.

  TWELVE

  “Dex, this place is stunning.”

  Dex chuckled at his aunt’s huge eyes as they walked through the estate gardens where the wedding ceremony would take place. Months ago, Lou had presented him with a slideshow of possible venues, but when the photographs of this place came up, Dex knew immediately this was it. The historic French chateau-style castle and estate on Long Island was exactly what he’d wanted. They were surrounded by miles and miles of greenery, or rather a host of fall colors. The lush trees that stretched as far as the eye could see were beginning to burst with yellows, oranges, and reds. It was blissfully peaceful. No traffic and no city noise. They were in their own little bubble of serenity.

  The estate was dazzling with its elegance, and for the next three nights, its thirty-two guestrooms would be occupied by Dex and Sloane’s family, friends, and their friends’ loved ones. Those attending the rehearsal dinner had arrived and were all currently touring the impressive and prestigious estate. Tony and Danelle had been the first ones to arrive, followed by the entire Hobbs clan, along with Darla and her beau, Armel. Julia and Darla wasted no time in bringing Vivian Keeler into their circle of awesome momness. Then Lucia Huerta arrived with her husband, Thiago, and the parental monarchy was complete.

  Having them all under the same roof was terrifying. Dex had never witnessed Ash so well-behaved. It had scared the ever-living crap out of Dex, and Sloane couldn’t stop from snickering every time Vivian was near Ash. If she wasn’t fixing the collar of his shirt, she was brushing something off his shoulder or picking a stray hair off his sleeve. She’d gushed over him, about how proud she was, and what a good boy he was. Dex and Sloane were all but ready to grab some popcorn and just follow the two around, it was so entertaining. Taylor, and especially Angel, thought it was the most hilarious thing ever.

  “I wish you could visit more often,” Dex said, saddened that he didn’t get to see his aunt as often as he used to when he and Cael were kids, but she had moved to Philly several years ago to take care of her and Tony’s mom, who needed looking after. Dex had met his adoptive grandmother once, but it had been brief. Tony had tried to include her in their lives, but the woman could hold a grudge something fierce. She’d never forgiven Tony for joining the THIRDS or for adopting a Therian son. Not after her husband had been killed on the job by a Therian.

  “I know, baby. I miss my boys.” She let her head rest against his arm as they walked in companionable silence. His aunt had been a constant in his life when he’d been little. She would babysit him and Cael, and she took care of them when they were sick and Tony had to work. She’d fed them, bathed them, read them stories, and taught them how to be kind and compassionate yet stand their ground. At fifty-two years old, Danelle Maddock was a tall, slender, stunning woman with flawless dark skin and striking hazel eyes. She was the sweetest, gentlest woman Dex had ever known, but if someone made the mistake of messing with her boys, well, hell hath no fury like a pissed-off Danelle.

  After walking through the gardens with his aunt, it was time for dinner inside the beautifully decorated formal dining room with its soft yellow walls and ornate white crown molding. Music played softly in the background while they ate and chatted.

  “Okay, everyone, settle down,” Ash said as he stood, tapping the side of his glass. “When I was asked to make a best man speech, I knew exactly what I was going to say. And then I remembered my mom was going to be in the room.”

  Everyone laughed, and Vivian waved cheerfully.

  “So I had to rethink things, especially when it came to my initial thoughts on Dex after his grand entrance his first day on the job.”

  Dex pointed to himself and blinked innocently. Ash shook his head at him.

  “Yeah, nice try. No one here is fooled by that face.” Ash turned back to address the room. “Let’s just say that when I first met Dex, I wasn’t a fan. At the time, the team wasn’t in a good place. I was angry and mean.”

  Dex put up a finger and opened his mouth, only to have Sloane clamp a hand over it.

  “Thanks.” Ash smiled brightly and winked at Sloane. “See, that’s what I’m talking about. Sloane has always had my back. He’s like a brother to me. Before I got my mom back, he was the only family I had. No one knew me like Sloane. Back when Dex joined our team, we had this missing piece, one we not only couldn’t find a fit for, but didn’t want to. Dex didn’t leave us a choice. He did what he does best, and he got under everyone’s skin. Whether you liked him, loved him, or wanted to push him off the Brooklyn Bridge, he was there with that dopey smile of his, ready to go to war for you. We might not have always gotten along, but I learned pretty quickly that if you needed someone in your corner, Dex was your guy. He’s fearless, relentless, and I’ve never seen anyone with a greater sense of justice than the guy with the same middle name.”

  Ash swallowed hard and turned to meet Sloane’s gaze. “Sloane, I didn’t understand what you saw in Dex, but as I watched your relationship with him grow, I started to see it. He was everything you needed and everything you deserved. He didn’t just bring you back to us, he helped you heal and proved to you that you weren’t broken but instead, worthy of every bit of love he offered. Seeing you two gave me hope.” He reached down and Cael took his hand. “Because of you both, I found the courage to give my heart away, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Thank you.”

  Sloane rose and stepped up to Ash. They hugged tight, and Dex blinked back his tears. Everyone stood and clapped. Dex joined them, and when Sloane stepped away from Ash, Dex held his arms out.

  “Bring it here, big guy.”

  Ash shook his head at him, but his amber eyes were filled with amusement. As he hugged Ash, Dex murmured quietly, “Thank you for taking such good care of him. I promise I won’t let you down.”

  Ash squeezed him before releasing him and sitting. As everyone enjoyed their meal, Dex and Sloane visited each table, spending time with their friends and family, knowing the next couple of days would be a whirlwind of activity. With two hundred guests attending the wedding, they wouldn’t be able to spend as much time at each table as they would like, which was why this evening was for family and close friends before the other guests arrived.

  After dinner, Lou grabbed Dex, Sloane, Tony, and the rest of their wedding party to begin the rehearsal, showing them what rooms they’d be waiting in. They ran through the music and Dex’s cue for joining Sloane in the sitting room. From there everyone would exit out to the gardens, where the ceremony would take place. Lou lined everyone up in the order they’d be walking down the aisle, made sure everyone remembered how much space to leave, and how they should walk at a normal pace.

  Dex stood in the doorway next to Sloane, staring out at the garden, which on Saturday would be decorated, filled with two hundred guests, and at the end have an altar where they’d be married.

  “Oh my God,” Dex said. He turned to Sloane, eyes wide. “We’re getting married the day after tomorrow.”

  Sloane smiled warmly, his eyes filled with love. He cupped Dex’s cheek and brushed his lips over Dex’s. “And I couldn’t be happier.”

  Dex leaned into Sloane and hummed. “I think getting married must be an aphrodisiac because all I can think about is jumping your bones.”

  Sloane opened his mouth to reply, but whatever he’d wanted to say had to wait because Lou showed up. They ran through the whole thing a couple of times to give Lou peace of mind. By the time they were done, they were all desperate to get to the dining room for a few drinks.