Rise & Fall (THIRDS 4)

Damn it, Cael, say yes. Put him out of his misery. You know you want to.

Cael’s expression softened and he nodded. “Okay.” He met Ash’s gaze and spoke softly. “Please don’t hurt me anymore, Ash. I don’t think my heart can take it.”

Ash swallowed hard. He looked like he wanted to reach out but held himself back. “We’ll work it out somehow. I promise. Be careful tomorrow, okay?”

“Van sitting isn’t exactly dangerous work,” Cael teased. “You’ll be out there, so you take care. And wear a vest this time.”

Ash chuckled and gave Cael’s cheek a playful nudge like he’d always done. “Got it.” With a wink, he walked off, calling out a grumbled good-bye to the rest of them. Dex pretended to be inspecting the equipment when Cael came to stand beside him.

“You can stop acting like you weren’t eavesdropping.”

Dex blinked innocently. “Moi?”

Cael rolled his eyes at him. “Please. You are like the nosiest person ever.”

“Ridiculous lies.”

“I heard Rhonda from PR was hooking up with Josh in Accounting.”

Dex gasped. “I thought she had a thing for Mark over in Recruitment?”

“A-ha! I told you. I was totally making it up,” Cael replied smugly.

“Damn. All right, I was eavesdropping. You mad?”

“No.” Cael’s expression turned worried. “Do you think I made the right decision? What if we sit down and it all falls apart? What if things get worse between us?”

Dex bumped his brother playfully with his hip. “What if it works out and you get everything you want?”

Cael smiled shyly. “Thanks, Dex.”

“Any time.”

“You ready, Dex?”

“Yep.” Dex motioned for Cael to follow. “Come on. I’ll walk you to your car.”

As they left the dimly lit sidewalk outside the boarded-up house Austen had set up for them, Dex tried not to give too much thought to the next day. Finally, after months of frustration, dead bodies, and no leads, they were moving in on Hogan. They were going to get a location on the guy if they had to beat it out of Collins. This time tomorrow, Beck Hogan would either be behind bars or six feet under. Dex was fine with either one of those.

IT WAS almost time.

The day was bright with clear skies, the air crisp and cool. According to Seb, his agents were already undercover and in position around the area.

Dex helped Sloane out of the van, a tingle going up his spine at seeing his partner back in uniform, even if it wasn’t his official THIRDS uniform. Then there was the crutch under his right arm. Dex really wished his partner would reconsider and head home, but Sloane was in work mode, and nothing would deter him, injuries or not. Who the hell knew what was about to go down or what would happen at the end of this. What was the likelihood they’d catch Hogan without the THIRDS finding out about it?

“All right, let’s all get into position,” Sloane said. “Cael, get this van out of sight.”

Cael gave him a salute. “You got it. Good luck.” He closed the doors to the van, and they all waited for him to drive off before Dex helped Sloane over to Seb’s BearCat concealed in the bushes off Terrace Drive. The back doors opened, and Seb appeared with Calvin beside him. They helped Sloane inside.

“We’re ready when you are,” Seb stated.

“Okay.” Dex turned to the rest of his team. “Let’s do this.” He tapped his earpiece. “Cael, you in position?”

“Affirmative.”

“All right, then.” Dex signaled forward. The rest of the team followed him, and he disappeared into the bushes.

Time to get this party started.