Sparks rolled her eyes. “It’s just a nickname. We make people believe what they want to, but I’ll be the first to say that if anyone doubts our conviction, we will demonstrate what we’re capable of. However, our operatives are encouraged to work according to their skill sets. We don’t force you to fit a mold, Dex. You and Sloane could use whatever methods work for you, as long as we see results, and that they are of course carried out within certain parameters. We are still enforcers of the law.” A wicked gleam came into her eye, and she cocked her head to one side, studying him. “We’re known to bend the rules on occasion. Sound like anyone you know?”
Dex coughed into his hand. “Nope. Have no idea.”
“Think about it. You wouldn’t have to leave the THIRDS entirely. I didn’t. We could make it work.” She turned back to watch Tony sleeping. “He doesn’t know.”
Dex let out a sigh. “The longer you leave it, the more you’ll break his heart. You should tell him.”
She nodded, a tear rolling down her cheek. Dex had no idea she cared about Tony that much. He had no idea how long it had been going on, and Dex had to give his dad props. He was way better at keeping his relationship a secret than he and Sloane. Dex put his arm around Sparks’s shoulders. Usually she was in her heels and taller than him, dressed in her pantsuit, exuding power and unfaltering control. Now in jeans and sneakers, she was a couple of inches shorter than him. She was soft, tucked against his side. He’d always seen her as this powerhouse. This unbreakable woman. Fierce. And she was still all those things, but she was also the kind of woman who looked at his dad with adoration.
Tony slowly opened his eyes. When he seemed able to focus, he turned his head and saw them. Dex smiled and waved. The smile on his dad’s face was amazing, his expression one of relief and then love.
“Why don’t you go in. Cael sleeps like the dead. Family trait. He won’t be awake for some time. I’m going to meet Sloane in the canteen for some coffee. I promised my dad we’d sit and talk about what happened after I saw Shultzon. He needs to know what’s happened to me.” He tucked the IDs she’d given him in the pocket inside his leather jacket. “Tell Dad I’ll be back.”
She nodded quickly and went in, closing the door behind her before rushing over to his bed. Dex couldn’t hear what they were saying, but whatever it was made his dad really happy. He looked over at Dex and mouthed the words “Thank you.” Dex gave him a wink, his heart swelling when Tony brought Sonya in for a kiss, her big red waves falling over her shoulder. They looked good together.
Dex shoved his hands into his pockets and went down to the Garden Café, where Sloane was waiting for him with coffee. Sloane had needed a few minutes to himself to wrap his head around everything, and Dex had kissed his cheek and told him to text him. The text had come through five minutes ago.
Have coffee. Will trade for kiss.
In the café, Dex found Sloane sitting serenely by himself at a table by a big tropical plant. Dex tiptoed as he got closer and planted a kiss on his cheek.
“You got your kiss. Now where’s my coffee?”
Sloane chuckled. “Hey, Trouble. How’s your dad?”
“Making out with Sparks.”
Sloane almost spit out his coffee. He wiped his mouth with his napkin and stared at Dex.
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah, apparently they’ve been seeing each other for some time.” Dex took a sip of his bucket-sized cappuccino. So good.
“Wow, they’re good.” Sloane tipped his head in approval. “We could have taken lessons from them.”
“Yeah, we were pretty shit at hiding the fact we were totally boning each other,” Dex teased.
“Aw, you’re so romantic.”
Sloane kissed him, and Dex all but melted against him. He tasted of his two favorite things, Sloane and coffee. When he pulled back, he looked puzzled.
“I’m surprised your dad didn’t say anything. Sparks, I’m not surprised, despite all the shit she gave us about our relationship.”
Dex told Sloane how Sparks had told Tony not to, using the excuse that Dex had a lot on his plate but was really worried he wouldn’t approve, and she’d been right about Cael. His little brother might be all grown up with a mind of his own, and there were times when he and Dex argued, but for the most part, if Dex went along with something, Cael often followed. An old habit from when they were kids.
“I wonder if that’s why she was so open to changing the no-fraternizing rule,” Dex mused. “Guess we’ll never know. Have you heard from Ash?”
“Yeah. THIRDS HQ is business as usual, but the higher-ups are shitting themselves. The Department of Therian Defense is coming under fire, and TIN’s taken control of everything until the investigation is over. The Human Branch of Defense will be under scrutiny now too. If what Moros says is true, and there are more of them, they’ll be lying low for a while. Too much heat, and TIN’s operatives are everywhere. I have to give them credit. When they clean up, they really clean up.”
“Hm.”
Dex nodded and took another sip of his coffee. Sloane eyed him.
“What?”
“Sparks gave us something.” He reached into his pocket and handed the wallets to Sloane, who opened one first, then the other before laughing.
“You’re shitting me.” When Sloane realized he wasn’t kidding, he sobered up quickly. “You’re not shitting me. She wants us to work for TIN?”