Tried & True (THIRDS 10)

“Sloane,” Dex snapped.

Sloane flinched. He attempted to pull the trigger but was too late. Austen hopped on the bed and jumped on Dex, who stumbled but didn’t fall.

“Fuck, he’s like a spider monkey!” Dex threw himself back into the dresser, and Sloane ran to help, but when Dex moved away, Austen brought a drawer with him, swinging it at Sloane. Not having time to avoid the blow, Sloane turned to his side, the drawer breaking against his shoulder.

“Motherfuck!” Sloane made a grab for Austen, but Austen released Dex, dropped to the floor, and kicked at Dex’s leg, sending Dex into Sloane. Before they could even get their balance, Austen grabbed another drawer, pulled, and swung it, hitting Dex in the back.

“Dex!”

The momentum propelled Dex forward, and he slammed into the wooden closet door, sending the whole thing crashing along with him.

“Come on, Sloane,” Austen snarled. “Your partner and fiancé is down. Get fucking mad.”

Sloane shook his head. “Austen, please.”

Austen shook his head. “You’re not getting this, are you?” He pulled out a gun and aimed it at Dex. Sloane didn’t hesitate. His inner Felid woke up with a roar, and Sloane lunged at Austen, smacking the hand holding the gun away from Dex before shoving his elbow into Austen’s face. The blood from Austen’s nose splattered over Sloane. Austen cursed up a storm, but Sloane didn’t give him time to react before he swiped Austen’s feet out from under him, bringing him hard onto his stomach. A knee to Austen’s back, and Sloane pulled his arms up behind him. He grabbed a couple of Therian-strength zip ties from his pocket and slipped them around Austen’s wrists. He took another one and slipped it around Austen’s ankles. With a hand wrapped around Austen’s neck, he brought Austen to his feet.

Blood trickled down Austen’s nose and over his mouth. He spit out saliva with blood, his teeth red when he grinned at Sloane.

“I knew you had it in you,” Austen said.

Dex groaned and pushed to his feet. “Fuck.” He held on to his side.

“You okay?” Sloane asked, worried.

“Yeah, I just got the wind knocked out of me.” Dex looked Austen over with a frown before moving his gaze to Sloane. “You okay?”

Sloane nodded, not trusting himself to say anything right now. At least he hadn’t had to tranq Austen, but what if they hadn’t been so lucky?

“Aren’t you two sweet. Sloane, you may want to kiss your bride later. My extraction team is going to be here any minute. You still have to turn me in without blowing your cover, so let’s get moving.”

“First you try to kick our asses, now you’re giving us advice?”

Austen laughed at Dex. “Dude, there was no try. I totally kicked your ass.”

Dex rolled his eyes. “We should have brought a gag.”

“Ooh, kinky.” Austen waggled his eyebrows.

“That’s enough.” Sloane looked around the bedroom, then out into the living room. “Dex, the rug.”

Dex followed his gaze and grinned.

“Oh my God,” Austen groaned. “Please tell me you guys aren’t about to do what I think you are.”

Sloane hoisted Austen over his shoulder and carried him into the living room.

“Can’t complain about the view, though.”

“Stop staring at Sloane’s ass,” Dex demanded, shoving away furniture until the rug was clear. “Definitely big enough for short stuff.”

“Screw you, Daley.” Austen wriggled, and Sloane dropped him none too gently onto the accent rug.

“Ouch, man. Why you gotta be so rough?” He winked at Sloane. “I like it.”

“Sweet Jesus.” Dex shook his head. “Let’s just get this over with. Hold him down.”

Sloane laid Austen at the end of the rug, and then he and Dex rolled him up into it. Dex helped Sloane get the rug onto his shoulder, then started to move the furniture back into place.