Hell & High Water (THIRDS 1)

Rosa’s hand went to her hip, her other arm coming up as she flipped Ash off. Sloane didn’t even want to know what Ash was doing behind his back. The less he saw the better. “Why do I have to go help that puta?”

“Because you two drive me fucking batshit crazy,” Sloane ground out before motioning toward Dex, “and if you haven’t noticed, I have enough to deal with.” With nostrils flaring, Rosa went off after Ash. “Calvin, you and Hobbs continue your reps. Letty, go get Dex a locker assignment. Cael, take five.” Everyone dispersed and Sloane was left with his new partner who should have been accompanied by their sergeant, not left to wander around on his own, especially since he couldn’t seem to do so without creating chaos. “Where’s Maddock?”

“With Dr. Colbourn and Dr. Bishop. They needed to discuss something with him about the HumaniTherians’ case. You know, you didn’t introduce yourself.” Dex smiled and held a hand out to him.

With a pleasant smile, Sloane took his hand and shook it. “I apologize. Hi, I’m Agent Sloane Brodie, your Team Leader. I enjoy reading, cozy nights in, and the soothing sounds of classic rock. I also like to browse the Internet for funny cat videos, but deep down, I think I’m more of a dog person.”

Dex eyed him, uncertain. “You’re being sarcastic.”

“Yes, Rookie, I’m being sarcastic.” Sloane pulled his hand away. “All you have to know about me is that I expect you to do what I say. Got it?” He received a curt nod.

“Got it.”

“Good. Now we’re going to get on that mat, and you’re going to show me what I’ve got to work with.”

A startled look came onto Dex’s face. “You want me to fight you?”

“Judging from the bruise on your lip and the scratches on your face, I’d say it’s not exactly a foreign concept to you.” Dex opened his mouth and Sloane quickly held a hand up to stop him. “I don’t care. You’re at work now, and when you’re at work, your ass belongs to me. You got a problem with that?”

“No. I just wasn’t expecting to get my cherry popped on the first day.”

“I’m sure that sounded better in your head. Whatever expectations you had about the job and the THIRDS, I suggest you forget all of them. Now get your ass out there. Shoes and shirt off. You can hand your rig to Cael. Oh and Rookie?”

“Yeah?”

“Now!”

Dex quickly removed his boots, revealing bright orange socks and drawing a sneer from Sloane. Standard issue was black, but Dex clearly thought himself to be special. There was gel in his hair and from here, Sloane could smell some fruity, citrusy concoction. The uniform shirt was removed next, and Sloane did his best to dismiss the stir in his abdomen as he took in the rookie’s semiundressed state. Muscular arms and an equally muscular chest beneath a snug black T-shirt flexed attractively. He wasn’t as tall, bulky, or wide as Sloane, more sinewy and athletic, but he was well built.

Sloane wasn’t above admitting when he found someone physically attractive and the agent before him was. Now that he’d gotten that out of the way, he could focus on the job, a job that had suddenly become a lot more difficult. Dex removed his rig from around his leg and after whistling to his brother, tossed it over. Cael caught it and placed it on the floor beside him before going back to his tablet. Did that kid ever put that thing down?

Sloane observed Dex as he made his way to the center of the mat. The guy had a nice ass too. On that note, maybe it was time for Sloane to get laid. It had been way too long since he’d picked anyone up, but then, the only thing that seemed to interest him these days was the job. Why the hell was he thinking about sex now? He followed Dex onto the blue mat and stopped a few feet away from him, pushing any and all sexual thoughts out of his mind. He had work to do. A lot of work to do.

Dex readied himself, stretching his neck and back. Despite his disastrous introduction, the guy actually had excellent poise. He balanced perfectly on one leg while he pulled the opposite knee up to stretch then swapped and did the same with the other. He bent over and grabbed his ankles with ease then slowly rolled his back to stand upright again. Rotating his shoulders, he shook himself off and hopped on his toes for a few seconds to warm up. His movements revealed he was lithe and flexible, yet Sloane couldn’t understand how this was the same guy who had scored top of his class during the training run. It was true he didn’t know much about Dex, but he’d read the file the moment he’d been informed of the decision.

Both parents had been killed during the riots when he was five years old. He’d been adopted by his father’s friend and work partner, Anthony Maddock. A year later, his baby Therian brother was rescued and adopted. Went to Berkeley at eighteen for four years, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Justice Studies, and joined the HPF a year later. Four years after that, was promoted to homicide detective. Dexter J. Daley, thirty-three years old, unmarried, and recently testified against his Human partner in a murder trial. Sloane was still figuring out what to think about that last part.

Dex took his stance, bending his knees, his left leg a little farther up than the right, and his fists up near his face.

“Your stance is good,” Sloane murmured, ignoring Dex’s surprised look. Taking up his own fighting stance, Sloane motioned for Dex to advance. “Okay. Come at me.”

Dex shook his head. “No.”

Sloane paused. Was the rookie messing with him? “What do you mean ‘no’?”

“How about you come at me.”

“That’s not how this works.”

“I’ve seen what attacking you head on does. You want to see what I can do? You’ll have to work for it.”

Sloane arched an eyebrow. Well, if nothing else, the guy had balls. “Okay. Remember, you asked for it.” He advanced, faked with his right to land a left hook to Dex’s ribs. A swipe to his left foot brought Dex crashing down to the mat.

“Fuck,” Dex moaned, rolling out of the way. He jumped to his feet and rounded his shoulders. “Okay.” Bouncing on his toes, he circled Sloane. “Let’s try this again.”

This match was over. Rookie just didn’t know it yet. Sloane was good at exposing weaknesses, and he was already working on discovering his new partner’s.

They slowly circled each other, and Sloane go