As Dex watched the brothers being brothers, he was struck by a sense of sadness for Hudson. This couldn’t be easy for him. It was bad enough having lost Alfie and mourning his death, only to have him back, yet not. Alfie was no longer the beloved brother Hudson had grown up with. There were times, like now, where Dex could see Alfie, and it was hard to believe he was who Wolf had once been.
Realizing Dex was watching him, Alfie was gone in the blink of an eye, and Wolf was back. There was an unspoken challenge in his gaze. As if he were waiting for Dex to try and use the knowledge against him, just like the Makhai had done. Dex couldn’t imagine living such a solitary life with no one to trust.
Wolf stood, dusted himself off, and joined Dex. He looked down at Cael, his voice oddly… kind when he spoke. “Go join your friends. I need a word with your brother.”
Cael glanced over at Dex, who nodded. “I’ll be fine.”
“Okay.” Cael went off to join Rosa and the others, and Dex waited for Wolf to say whatever it was he needed to say.
“I can’t afford to get close to him.”
Dex shrugged. “I didn’t say anything.”
“You didn’t have to,” Wolf grumbled. “It’s in those big blue eyes of yours. Whatever you may think of me, I’m not trying to hurt him. I just want him to be safe.”
“And you think if you stop being an asshole to him, he’ll be less safe?”
Wolf’s expression hardened. “If I let my guard down, he will be.”
“So the Makhai found out who he is to you because you let your guard down?”
“I believe whoever the Chairman has inside TIN unearthed that tidbit of information.” Wolf narrowed his eyes at Dex. “You know, you’re a bit of a smartarse.”
Dex chuckled, and Sloane’s voice came through on his earpiece.
“Ready.”
“Copy that.” Dex turned his attention to his brother and the others. “You guys stay here and keep an eye out. If anyone shows up, make sure you send them on their way, and if they don’t want to go, take care of it. We’re the only ones with clearance to be down here. Hudson, you come with us. I want you to stick close to Seb.”
Hudson nodded and followed them, though he remained lost in thought. Dex and Wolf headed toward the wing where Sloane and the others waited. Wolf was quiet for a moment, his sharp eyes missing nothing.
“Just so you know, you’ll be able to do this yourself someday very soon.”
The change in conversation threw Dex off. “What are you talking about?”
“Who do you think trained me to do what I did to you?”
TIN had trained Wolf to torture, and they’d soon be training Dex and Sloane. Before his dad had been taken, Dex would have been horrified, most likely believing there was another way, but now…. A thought struck him. “Why couldn’t TIN break the Makhai guys they have in custody?” It was possible they just didn’t have any more information, but Dex couldn’t imagine members of the Makhai not being prepared for an interrogation. If they were willing to go as far as to kill themselves, why were the other two still alive? It didn’t make sense.
“We are no longer in the good old days of barbaric torture,” Wolf said with a heavy sigh. “Even TIN has set parameters they must work within or they’ll be getting a good old slap on the wrist from Uncle Sam. After all, even terrorists have rights.”
Wolf’s snide tone told Dex all he needed to know about how Wolf felt on the subject. That, however, was a debate for another day.
“But you don’t operate within those parameters,” Dex clarified.
Wolf’s smile was evil. “Correct.” He headed for the door. “Come along, Dexter. Let’s get you some intel and me some satisfaction. If you have the stomach for it.”
“Whatever it takes.”
They reached Sloane, who turned to Seb. “You and Hobbs stay with Hudson while Ash and I stand
guard here.” Sloane took hold of Dex’s arm and pulled him to one side, speaking quietly.
“Babe, are you sure this is a good idea? We haven’t even been sworn in, and you’re going to watch someone get tortured by the guy who tortured you.”
“I know. It’s fucked-up. But if this is the only way to get a lead on my dad, I’m going to take it. I lost my parents to these assholes, Sloane. I’m not going to lose Tony. I can’t.”
Sloane’s voice was gentle, his amber eyes filled with love and concern. “I know, sweetheart.”