Winters chuckled. “He’s a strong one, that one.”

  Hudson nodded his agreement. “Resilient little bugger.”

  Sloane stiffened. Those were words he never wanted to hear from Hudson, not after he’d heard them come from Hudson’s brother the day Dex had died.

  “Here you go.” Dex returned with a drink for Winters, who thanked him with a wink and laughed softly at something Hudson said.

  “That he is, Dr. Colbourn. You know, you remind me of an old colleague I worked with a long time ago.”

  “Oh?” Hudson asked.

  “Yes. I should probably get in touch with him soon. It’s been far too long.”

  Dex had no idea who they were talking about, but before he could ask, Tony called Winters over, and the doctor excused himself.

  The lights dimmed before blue-and-purple club-style lighting turned on as the music kicked into high gear. The tables were moved to one side, exposing the dance floor, and it was open bar. Lou had arranged for cars to pick up their colleagues after the party and take them wherever they needed to go, so Dex had a feeling they were all going to be celebrating late into the night. The parental folk all said their goodnights as it got later in the evening, and everyone kicked up their heels, shots in hand.

  Dex had been in the middle of impressing his husband-to-be with his Running Man skills when Seb rushed over. He stopped in front of Dex. “I think you might want to see this.” The look on his face sent a chill through Dex, and he took off after Seb. Now what? If someone else tried to mess with his wedding, he was gonna cut a bitch.

  Outside in the foyer, Seb came to a halt. “Everyone be quiet for a second.” The foyer fell silent. “You hear that noise?”

  “What?” Sloane asked.

  “Listen?”

  The rumbling, whirring sound got louder. Ash ran to the window and looked around. “Seb’s right. There’s something in the sky… What the hell is that?”

  Letty joined him, her eyes going wide. “That’s a helicopter.”

  “Shit, someone order a chopper?”

  “Ash, Seb, come with us,” Dex said. “Everyone else stay here. We’ll be right back.”

  Dex dashed off with Sloane right beside him. They hurried down the grand staircase that led out to the entrance courtyard, where a black helicopter landed, its bright white and red lights a sharp contrast to the warm atmospheric lighting of the courtyard.

  Dex couldn’t believe it. “It can’t be.”

  “Tell me I’m not seeing what I think I’m seeing,” Sloane said.

  Dex wished he could, but they were all seeing the same thing.

  “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” Ash growled, his hands balling into fists at his sides.

  The chopper’s propellers slowed as the beast of a bird powered down. The door opened and out hopped Wolf in a pristine, expensive, designer three-piece suit. He removed the pilot’s helmet and tossed it onto the pilot’s seat before buttoning his suit jacket and sauntering over to them. He stopped in front of Dex, flashing a wide grin filled with perfect white teeth that Dex wanted to punch him in.

  “Hello, Dexter.”

  “You’ve got some fucking nerve showing up here,” Sloane growled, and Dex readied himself in case he had to keep Sloane and Wolf apart. One of these days Sloane was going to decide enough was enough, and Dex was not looking forward to that day. It didn’t help that Wolf gave no fucks what Sloane thought and continued to pop up in places where Dex was, flirting like he always did.

  “What are you doing here?” Dex asked.

  “I’ve brought you a wedding present.” Wolf leaned in with a wink. “Though it’s not too late to change your mind. You can still ditch that stick-in-the-mud and travel the world with me. Oh, the mischief we could cause together.”

  “I’m going to fucking kill you,” Sloane growled, and Wolf held up a hand to stop him.

  “Easy there, mate. You have some uninvited guests heading your way.”

  Dex groaned. “Are you kidding me? What now?”

  “There’s an army heading this way.”

  Dex froze. “What?”

  “The Makhai,” Wolf said, motioning around them. “It would seem the Chairman is making one last go of it rather than retreating. I imagine he’s grown quite tired of losing. His army will be surrounding the estate at any moment. Which is why I brought you a little present.”

  Wolf tipped his head toward the helicopter, and Dex followed him, Sloane not leaving his side. Ash and Seb weren’t far behind, and Dex was grateful for their support. Wolf was still too unpredictable. There was no telling what he had in store for them or why he was here. Not that Dex didn’t appreciate the warnings. Wolf was far more connected than the rest of them, but that didn’t mean his intel was reliable or that he was even telling the truth.

  Wolf motioned to a huge black crate inside the chopper before looking at Ash and Seb. “Hop to it, fellas. You’re going to need all those muscles to get that out of there.”

  Ash let out a low growl but joined Seb and Sloane in grabbing the crate and pulling it out.

  “I can’t believe we’re taking orders from this asshole,” Ash grumbled.

  “Said arsehole can hear you, Agent Keeler. I’ve killed men for far less.”

  Dex frowned at Wolf. “You killed someone for calling you an asshole?”

  “Sounds awful, doesn’t it?” Wolf shook his head in amusement. “Of course not. Don’t worry that pretty little head of yours. Merely entertaining myself with your delightful friends.”

  Dex rolled his eyes, and Wolf chuckled.

  The guys grunted as they lowered the crate, and as soon as it was on the ground, Sloane punched Wolf across the face.

  Holy shit.

  Wolf stumbled back, and Sloane glared at him as he shook his hand out. “You’ve had that coming for months,” Sloane snarled.

  A low growl escaped Wolf, and he narrowed his eyes as he took a step toward Sloane. Dex quickly moved in front of Sloane, putting himself between the two. With his hands up in front of him, Dex met Wolf’s gaze and quirked a smile.

  “You can’t say you didn’t deserve that.”

  Wolf arched an eyebrow at Dex before letting out a chuckle. “Fair enough.” His eyes turned hard as he moved them to Sloane. “You get one shot. Try that again, and not even your sweetheart will be able to save you from me.”

  Ash and Seb moved behind Sloane, and Dex quickly spoke up. “Okay, everyone. Let’s just chill before the testosterone chokes us all to death.” He motioned to the crate. “You want to tell us what’s in that thing?”

  Wolf pressed his hand to the digital display. The locks clicked, and he opened the lid. They all stood around the crate, staring at it.

  “Oh my God.” Dex looked up at Wolf. “You brought an entire arsenal.” He gasped and threw up an arm. “I call dibs on the rocket launcher!”

  Wolf laughed. “A man after my own heart. That should even the odds a bit, don’t you think?”

  “Why are you helping us?” Sloane asked, peering at Wolf.

  “For one, I’m not helping you. I’m helping your delectable fiancé. Two, the Makhai tried to kill me, then tried to kidnap my little brother in order to use me to kill for them. Consider me offended.”

  “The enemy of my enemy is my friend,” Dex said.

  “Something like that,” Wolf replied, grinning wide. “Though I have tried to convince you to venture beyond acquaintance, but you’re frustratingly loyal.”

  “So you’re just giving this to us?” Dex asked eyeing him.

  “I will take a thank-you kiss.” Wolf tapped his lips.

  Dex narrowed his eyes. “Yeah, that’s not going to happen.”

  “It was worth a try.” Wolf winked at him, then gave him a one-fingered salute before turning on his heels and heading for the pilot’s seat.

  Dex turned to Seb. “I need you to round up anyone who isn’t a civilian.” With Seb running off to do as asked, Dex quickly turned back to Wolf. “Wait, you’re just going to leave?”

  Wolf’s smile was sinful. “Why? Do you need me, Dexter?”

  “If we don’t stop these guys, they’re going to keep coming after us.”

  “Yes, they will, but they won’t catch me.” He made to climb in, but Dex’s words stopped him in his tracks.

  “And what about Hudson?”

  Wolf slowly turned to meet his gaze. “Careful, Dexter.” His voice was clipped and almost as terrifying as the coldness in his eyes.

  “I’m not trying to manipulate you. It’s the truth, and you know it. While the Chairman is out there, knowing who Hudson is to you, he won’t stop.”

  The fear that flashed through Wolf’s gaze was so quick Dex questioned whether it had been there at all. As if on cue, Hudson came running. Seb and the rest of their THIRDS friends and colleagues weren’t far behind. Hudson’s smile broke Dex’s heart.

  “Alfie,” Hudson greeted cheerfully, as if his brother had just dropped by for a chat.

  Wolf pressed his lips together. He faced Sloane and the others. “Arm yourselves, secure your civilians, and do what you do best. There’s no room for hesitation or a conscience. It’s you, and everyone you hold dear, or them.” Wolf grabbed an MP5 submachine gun and a tactical vest.

  “Are you ignoring me?” Hudson asked, scowling at his brother.

  Wolf turned to Hudson. “Go inside.”

  “With the civilians,” Hudson said before looking around at everyone putting on tactical vests and arming themselves with all manner of firearms. He moved his gaze back to Wolf, and Dex stifled a groan. He knew that look. “No.”

  Wolf peered at him. “What do you mean no?”

  “I’m not going to hide. I’m going to fight alongside you and Seb.” He took the machine gun from Wolf, who snatched it back with a snarl.

  “Don’t be so bloody pigheaded! Go inside!”

  “No.” Hudson squared his shoulders. “I’m a THIRDS agent, and… you know.”

  “You’re a medical examiner.”

  Hudson narrowed his eyes. “I have training, Alfie.”

  “Stop calling me that,” Wolf ground out through his teeth. “Go inside, or I swear on our grandmother’s grave, I will pick you up and carry your arse in.”

  Hudson folded his arms over his chest. “I’d like to see you try.”

  Wolf opened his mouth to reply, then seemed to think better of it. “How about this. If you agree to go inside and stay there, I’ll allow you to ask me one question.”

  Hudson worried his bottom lip, and Dex knew his friend was warring with himself. It was clear Hudson wanted to fight alongside them, with his husband, and although Hudson was right that he was a trained THIRDS agent, Wolf was equally right. Hudson’s training wasn’t the same as everyone else’s. As far as TIN training, he’d only just started recently and had even further to go than Dex and Sloane. Were Dex in Wolf’s shoes, he would have done what he could to keep his brother safe. Hudson glanced at Dex, and Dex nodded. Thankfully, Hudson gave in.

  “Very well. How did you become… this?” Hudson asked, motioning to Wolf in general.

  “That’s a very complicated question that would require far longer than the few minutes we have, so I’ll give you the abridged version. I was never dead. Only made to look as if I were.” Wolf thrust his machine gun and tactical vest at Dex so he could remove his suit jacket, which he draped over Hudson’s shoulders. Then he took the vest from Dex and strapped himself into it.

  “TIN arranged it. They had been watching the both of us for some time, but decided to approach me first, knowing if I joined, you were sure to follow. My falling to certain doom was the perfect opportunity. Fate decided I wasn’t going to die at the bottom of those cliffs that day. It had a far more sinister design in mind.”

  “TIN forced your hand?” Hudson asked, his eyes filling with anger.

  Wolf frowned at him. “Don’t be ridiculous. They made me an offer. I could return home, back to living under my father’s thumb, fall into line like our siblings and be miserable, watch you be miserable, or I could change our lives, starting with me as a TIN operative. I could be whoever I wanted to be, do what I wanted to do. The sky was the limit. I’d have a freedom I never knew was possible. I wasn’t as brave as you. I never would have left for the States, not if it meant leaving you behind, but you weren’t ready. You needed a push, and my death gave you that push. I accepted the offer on one condition—that Sparks would look after you and get you away from that bastard father of ours. She made sure when you applied to the THIRDS, a position at THIRDS HQ in Manhattan was open for you.”

  Hudson’s brows drew together. “You’re the reason I was hired to the THIRDS?”

  “No. You’re the reason you were hired. I just made sure you were close to where she was.”

  “Why?”

  “So she could keep you safe. It was part of the deal.”

  “What deal?” Hudson asked.

  “Why don’t you tell him, Sonya?”

  Everyone turned to stare at Sparks, who stood several feet away, Tony and Cael behind her. Dex was stunned by the tears in her eyes. When she spoke, her voice was almost a whisper.

  “I would keep Hudson safe, away from anyone who might try to use him against Wolf, and Wolf would keep my daughter safe.”

  Wait, what? Dex walked around Wolf to stand in front of Sparks. “You have a daughter?”

  Sparks nodded.

  “That’s why she’s been trying so hard to track me down.” Wolf turned to Dex, and Dex was taken aback by the sympathy in his blue eyes. “It’s why she allowed me to take you, knowing you would be tortured. She was desperate to get her hands on me.”

  “Why?”

  “While TIN was working to close in on the Makhai,” Sparks explained, “the Makhai was getting to us. I needed to make sure my daughter was safe. Wolf was the only one who knew where she was, and if he was working for the Makhai…”

  “Then you had no way of knowing he wouldn’t betray you and give them your daughter.”

  Sparks turned to Wolf. “I never believed you would betray me. I was afraid they’d leave you no choice.”

  “Because they’d discovered who Hudson was.” Wolf cursed under his breath. His jaw muscles clenched, and he met Sparks’s gaze. “You were right to have worried.”

  Hudson drew closer to Wolf, his expression pained. “You would have turned over a young girl to those heartless monsters?”

  “And what would you have me do?”

  “Not sacrifice a child to save me,” Hudson replied, indignant. “You should know better!”

  This was insane. Dex didn’t even know where to begin with all these truth bombs that were being let loose. My God, did he know anyone who led a normal, uneventful life?

  “Wolf,” Sparks pleaded. “Just tell me…”

  “She’s a perfectly healthy, well-adjusted teenager, leading a very happy life,” Wolf said softly. “She was accepted into the college she’d set her heart on, with a full scholarship, all of her own accord with no help from me. Her boyfriend is a lovely young Human who worships the ground she walks on.” Wolf walked up to Sparks and put a hand to her cheek. “She’s happy, Sonya, and safe.” He smiled warmly, and for a moment, Dex saw Alfie, the man he’d been before betrayal had twisted his heart and turned him into a killer. “She has your eyes and that fiery red hair of yours. A force to be reckoned with, that one.”

  Sparks covered her mouth with her hand, a tear rolling down her cheek. “Thank you.” It was then that Dex glanced over at his dad and saw the crushed expression on his face. Dex cursed under his breath. Tony had heard. As if coming to the same realization, Sparks whirled to face Tony.

  “You let that psychopath kidnap and torture Dex?”

  Sparks opened her mouth to reply, but Tony held up a hand to stop her.

  “Did you see him?” Tony asked, pointing at Dex as he took a step closer to Sparks, the quiet fury burning in his brown eyes. “Did you see what he looked like? And I’m not talking about the blood or bruises. I’m talking about underneath.” He shook his head in disbelief. “I understand going to the lengths you did for your child, but you did it knowing that was my child you were doing it to. Jesus Christ, Sonya, he put needles underneath my boy’s fingernails!” As if remembering Wolf, Tony turned to face him.

  “You coldhearted son of a bitch,” Tony growled before lunging at Wolf. Dex moved quickly, and it took Sloane, Dex, and Ash to hold Tony back. He spat in Wolf’s direction. “You listen to me, asshole. This isn’t over. I don’t care how long it takes me, I’m going to make sure you end up locked up in a hole somewhere, do you hear me? You’re going to pay for what you did to him.”

  “Dad, please.”

  Tony shook his head. “How can you even be talking to this guy, Dex?” Tony looked hurt and confused. Dex pulled him to one side, talking quietly.

  “I know. Sometimes I don’t believe it myself, but it’s complicated, and no way am I excusing what he did, but if it wasn’t for him, Seb and Hudson might not be alive now. He, um, he’s Hudson’s brother.”

  Tony stared at him. “What now?”

  “It’s a long story. Basically, Wolf is Alfie, who supposedly died several years ago, but as you can see, he’s alive. He was hired by the Makhai to torture me and then kill me after finding Mom’s file, but when I got away, he voided the contract and pissed them off. We’ve kind of got a weird arrangement of sorts. He has a habit of popping up and helping me out. He helped us find you, and, uh”—Dex cleared his throat—“he kind of has a thing for me, I think.”

  Tony’s eyebrows shot up near his hairline. “I’m sorry, but are you saying the psychopath who tortured you and was going to kill you, shows up to help you out because he likes you?”

  “Yeah, and to protect Hudson.”

  Tony narrowed his eyes. “Son, you hang out with some fucked-up individuals.”

  Despite the current circumstances, Dex couldn’t help his bark of laughter. “Yeah, my world is pretty interesting. Would you mind if we talked some more about this later? There’s an army of trained mercenaries on their way to kill everyone, so I could really use your help.”