Rise & Fall (THIRDS 4)

It was easy to forget Hobbs had older brothers since Dex rarely ever saw Hobbs in their company. Then again, the last time the three brothers had been in the same room, it had been a complete clusterfuck, and Hobbs had been unconscious. There was a lot of bad blood between Rafe—the eldest of the brothers—and Seb. It didn’t help that Rafe was an even bigger asshole than Ash. Was it even possible?

The resemblance between Seb and Ethan Hobbs was clear, from their bright green eyes with smile lines at the corners to their jet black hair—though Seb’s was interspersed with some silver here and there—and their chiseled jaws. Both were rugged, friendly, and huge, with Seb somehow being even bigger than his little brother. Tiger Therians were the biggest of the Felid Therians. They weighed a goddamn ton in both Human and Therian forms thanks to all the muscle mass. Dex had learned a hell of a lot about the larger Felid Therians since joining the THIRDS, and from being partnered with one. Enough to know it was in his best interest to remain alert around them. They could go from sweet and cuddly to tear-your-throat-out pissed off in seconds. Like they had two personalities. One loved you, and the other would make a meal out of you. And not in a good way. Cheetah Therians were different. They reminded Dex more of Canid Therians. They had plenty of Felid qualities, but they were more affectionate, less confrontational, and more laid back.

“I’m really sorry, Dex. You know I wouldn’t have asked for this.”

Seb’s apology took Dex aback. This was a big opportunity for the guy. “I know, man. It’s okay. Congrats on the promotion.”

“Thank you. I swear we’ll get Hogan.” Seb’s expression turned determined, and Dex appreciated his conviction, but it didn’t make him feel any better.

“I know.” With a reassuring smile, Dex went on his way.

It wasn’t Seb’s fault he’d been assigned the Hogan case. Years of obscurity after his fall from grace and a transfer from Destructive Delta, Seb was finally putting that part of his past behind him. He’d been handed his own team and a high-profile case. Good for him. Dex just wished it hadn’t been this case. Seb was a good agent, and Dex trusted him, but Destructive Delta should be the one bringing Hogan in.

There were few agents in the locker room at this time of morning. Everyone was either out in the field or behind their desk. Dex hung his uniform shirt in his locker and stilled when it finally sank in. His team was off the case. Someone else was going after Beck Hogan. There was no telling what would happen. What if the guy decided to make a run for it? What if Hogan changed his mind and decided to cut his losses and disappear?

Anger and frustration boiled up inside him until he couldn’t keep it in anymore. It tore through him with a fierce cry, and he slammed his locker door so hard it rattled the whole wall. It wasn’t enough. That son of a bitch was out there. First the THIRDS kept vital information to themselves, nearly killing Sloane, and now this? What if it had been Cael or one of their Human teammates? What if they’d been on leave to attend another funeral?

With an enraged shout, Dex kicked at his locker before repeatedly jerking the door open and slamming it shut, each time with more force in an attempt to smash it to shit. He was vaguely aware of fellow agents hovering around him, but he didn’t care. His pulse was through the roof, and his face felt like it was on fire as he continued to beat the ever-living crap out of the inanimate object before him. An iron grip clamped down over his arm, and he spun on his heel, bringing his fist with him. He missed. A pair of tree-trunk arms wrapped around him, crushing him up against a hard body. What the fuck? Dex tried to struggle, his face pressed against someone’s chest when he heard soft words whispered by his ear.

“It’s okay.”

Dex stilled. He knew that voice, yet he was certain he’d never actually heard it so clearly before now. How was that possible? Shifting his head back slightly, he spotted the agent’s name embroidered on his uniform.

E. Hobbs.

“Hobbs?” The arms around him gave a squeeze, and something inside Dex burst. He clung on to Hobbs and buried his face against his chest. A large hand came to rest on the back of Dex’s head as he was held tight. Dex completely deflated. He allowed himself to be held onto, to be supported by his much larger teammate. He didn’t know how long he stood in Hobbs’s embrace, but when he pulled back, his face was hot and flushed, both from his little outburst and embarrassment. He took a seat on the bench in front of his locker, his gaze on his boots. Hobbs sat down beside him. Around them, the locker room was eerily silent with everyone having vacated the premises. If they didn’t think he was crazy before, they probably did now.

“Sorry. I don’t know what came over me,” Dex muttered.

Hobbs wrapped his arm around Dex’s shoulder. “S’Okay.”

Damn. Two sentences—sort of—in a span of five minutes. Dex cast Hobbs a wary

glance. “I’m not losing my mind, am I? You spoke to me.”

Hobbs nodded, a shy smile coming onto his face. He shrugged his shoulders. “We’re friends. I like you.”

Dex stared at him. His mouth hung open, and he quickly closed it. The last thing he wanted was to make Hobbs feel even more self-conscious. Instead, he returned Hobbs’s smile. “You’re right. We are friends. And I like you too, big guy. Thanks for stepping in. Security probably would have come to cart my ass away at any moment.”

Hobbs frowned and shook his head. “I wouldn’t have let them.”

“Thanks.” It was amazing how simply sitting next to Hobbs made him feel more at ease. Considering how much silence usually surrounded the guy, Dex was surprised he never felt the need to fill it. Hobbs gave off a strange peaceful vibe. In no time, Dex felt his pulse steady and his anger subside. He looked around the now empty locker room. “Where’s your best bud?” The two were usually inseparable. Calvin never went anywhere without his pal. Man, it was like everyone he knew was having relationship drama. Except for his dad, come to think of it. He couldn’t even remember the last time Tony went out on a date. He wasn’t one to meddle in his dad’s love life, or lack thereof, but he wanted to see Tony happy. If anyone deserved it, it was his dad. Hobbs let out a heavy sigh, drawing Dex’s attention.

“He went home.”

“What’s going on with you two?” Dex made sure the locker room was empty before bringing it up. “Come on. It’s just you and me in here.” He’d been concerned about his teammates since they met. From the beginning they’d seemed off their game; even Rosa had made a comment to Dex in regards to it. Months later, and they were still tiptoeing around each other.

Hobbs gave him a shrug. “Nothing.”

“Don’t give me that. I was there in your hospital room, remember? Playing tonsil hockey with your best bud isn’t nothing. Pining and pouting and looking absolutely miserable isn’t nothing.”

Hobbs removed his arm from around Dex to clasp his hands together, his green eyes filled with worry. For such a big scary Therian, Hobbs was terribly sweet at times. These two really needed to get their shit together. “I’m scared.”

“Of what?”

A long-suffering sigh escaped Hobbs, and Dex felt for him. “Losing him.”

“Have you guys ever fought before? Like really fought?”