“It wasn’t your fault.”
“Sparks said I was gone two days.”
Sloane nodded, but he couldn’t bring himself to elaborate. They’d been the longest two days of his life. Fear was as familiar to Sloane as heartache, but with Dex, it was a whole other level of fear. He’d fought to keep his thoughts from being consumed with what-ifs and worst-case scenarios. What would he do without Dex’s smile? Without his rich laughter and boyish antics? Sloane had almost gone feral back at the house. Sparks’s operatives had been right to subdue him.
“I’m just so happy to see you,” Sloane whispered, his voice faltering. He cleared his throat, telling himself it was okay now. Dex was safe, back in his arms. It could have been worse. So much worse.
“He killed them, Sloane. That son of a bitch Shultzon had them killed.”
Tears pooled in Dex’s eyes, and the moment his face crumpled, Sloane was sitting on the edge of the bed pulling Dex into his arms. He held him close, rocking him gently and running a hand soothingly over his back as Dex buried his face against Sloane’s neck. Even if Dex had considered his parents’ death as being more than an accident, it was different having it confirmed. Wolf wasn’t to be trusted, but he had no reason to lie. He’d simply validated what Dex believed all along. It was as if Dex were grieving all over again. All Sloane could do was hold him and comfort him, offer him whatever he needed.
When the sniffling ebbed, Dex pulled back, a small smile on his face. “Sorry, I’m just exhausted.”
“Don’t apologize. You have no idea how happy I am to see you. When I woke up and found you gone….” Sloane brought Dex against him, his fingers slipping into Dex’s hair as he held the man he loved, assuring himself this was real, Dex was real and back in his arms where he belonged. Sloane inhaled deeply, hating that Dex’s scent was mixed with a hint of blood and someone else. Most likely Wolf. They’d cleaned him up as best they could, but the blood especially…. Sloane could still smell it. He instinctively rubbed his cheek against Dex’s hair.
“Hey, it’s okay. I’m here.” Dex pulled back and edged over before patting the mattress beside him.
Sloane very carefully lay down on the Therian-sized bed with him. He gently snuggled close, careful not to press against Dex too hard. Who knew how much bruising he had underneath the disposable scrubs? Dex let his head rest against Sloane’s shoulder, and a deep sense of calm washed over Sloane.
“How pretty do I look?”
Sloane swallowed hard. “Beautiful.”
“It could have been worse.”
“I try not to think about that.” Sloane closed his eyes, a quiet rage flooding through him, one so fierce it was almost calming. “We’ll find whoever’s responsible for all this. I promise you.” And when they did, Sloane would make them bleed. He’d show them pain, show them a hell they’d never experienced.
Dex snuggled up as close as he could with a heart-wrenching sigh, one Sloane felt down to his bones.
“I can’t feel anything,” Dex said softly. “I don’t think it’s hit me yet.”
“When it does,” Sloane murmured, kissing the top of Dex’s head, “I’ll be right beside you to help you through it.” Shock affected people differently. There was no telling when it would hit Dex. Being THIRDS agents meant they were more prepared than the average citizen, but it didn’t mean they were any less affected by trauma. All Sloane could do was be ready for when it hit Dex and make sure he offered Dex all the love and support he needed to get through it.
“How’s Cael? Is he okay?”
“He’s better, now that you’re safe. He wants to talk to you when you’re back home and settled.”
Dex let out another heart-wrenching sigh. “He must have been so scared.”
“He had a panic attack.”
“Shit, I need to make sure he’s okay.”
Dex tried to get up, only to have Sloane hold him firmly but gently in place.
“He is. Ash was there. He got him through it and hasn’t left his side since. He’s taking Cael home to his place.”
Dex nodded, the tension falling from his shoulders. “I never thought I’d see the day I’d be grateful for Ash Keeler. Must be a leap year or something.”
Sloane chuckled. “You two are adorable.”
Dex let out a snort. “I’m going to tell him you said that.”
“This whole ‘we hate each other’ thing you two got going on. It’s cute.”
“I do hate him,” Dex grumbled.
“Uh-huh. Sure you do.”