Dex pretended to think about it. “It better be really unhealthy. Like over five hundred calories in one sitting.”
“Deal.” When Sloane next spoke, his voice was gentle and laced with concern. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m good.” It was the truth. He was surprised he hadn’t had any nightmares, but he supposed there was still time. Actually, now that he thought about it, he hadn’t dreamed at all. “I’m gonna watch some TV, just veg out for a while.”
They talked a little more as Sloane finished his coffee break. It was a somewhat quiet day with no callouts for Destructive Delta as of yet. Somewhere behind Sloane, Ash said it was because Dex wasn’t there to attract all the crazies.
“Tell him to bite me.”
Sloane relayed the message before returning to the phone. “He made a little heart shape with his fingers. Isn’t that sweet? I think he loves you.”
“Fuck off. I didn’t do that,” Ash growled somewhere over Sloane’s shoulder, making Dex chuckle.
The two tussled, and Dex smiled at Sloane’s laughter. It was so good to hear. The sound always made Dex happy.
“Your boyfriend is a dork, and so are you,” Ash called out before the office went quiet.
Sloane chuckled.
“I better go. Sparks wants us in Sparta for training. Rest up, okay? Love you.”
“I love you too. Stay safe.”
“I will. Talk soon.”
Dex said his good-byes and hung up. He tossed his phone on the cushion and flopped onto his side, his head hitting the pillow. He stared at the blank TV screen. Why did his body hurt so much? He frowned. His head was fuzzy too, and his stomach felt empty. How could he be hungry? He’d eaten just a few hours ago. Wait, now he remembered. He’d felt sick this morning after Sloane left. He’d even thrown up. He must’ve lain down after he was sick and fallen asleep. No wonder he felt weird. Maybe he was pushing himself too hard. He kept telling Sloane he was okay, but maybe he was trying to convince himself as much as Sloane. Rest would be good.
He was about to close his eyes when he caught movement reflected in one of the framed photos on his mantle. It was one Tony had taken of him with his parents at a park. Swallowing hard, Dex stared at the photo but didn’t move. The shape was so dark it was almost black. It stalked like a Felid. It almost looked like one. That wasn’t possible. It got closer, and an icy chill went up Dex’s spine. Fuck. His gun was locked in its case upstairs in the drawer.
Slowly, he stretched his legs out on the couch and readied himself. He sprang to his feet and spun around, only to find the house empty.
Chapter 4
DEX WAS ready for a fight.
He listened intently. Nothing. The house was quiet. His eyes had to be playing tricks on him. Dex ran a hand through his hair. Was he going crazy? He could have sworn he’d seen something. Not taking any chances, he slowly retreated to the entryway and grabbed the baseball bat resting in the corner against the wall. Thanks to his dad and Old Betsy, Dex had taken up the tradition and kept his own baseball bat. Never knew when it would come in handy.
Cautiously, he searched his house, leaving no space unchecked. He inspected every cabinet, every closet, even the pantry. Nothing. Could it have been TIN? Why would they be in his house? The doorbell rang, and Dex almost jumped out of his skin. Enough of this bullshit. He was not going to start jumping at shadows. Checking through the peephole, he smiled, pleasantly surprised. He returned the bat to its corner, then opened the door wide, greeting the English wolf Therian on the other side with a big grin.
Hudson looked him over, his eyes wide. “Bloody hell.”
“Hey, we’re like the Bruise Brothers,” Dex teased, stepping aside so Hudson could get by. “Come in.”
Hudson stepped inside and removed his jacket. “Is that a picture reference?”
“Blues Brothers. Please tell me you’ve seen the movie.”
Hudson wrinkled his nose. “Of course I have. Just never know with you.”
Dex took Hudson’s jacket from him and hung it up. “Dude, you didn’t have to come all the way down here. You were shot.”
“All the resting was growing tiresome. I heard Sloane returned to work today. I figured you might like some company. And you….”
Hudson studied him, and Dex tried his best not to squirm under the inspection. The last person he needed examining him was Hudson. A gasp escaped Hudson, and he took hold of Dex’s wrist, making him flinch. The bruises from the zip ties hadn’t quite faded yet. Neither had the bruising on his fingers.
“Hudson, I—”
“Ambush, my bloody arse! What really happened?”