Blood & Thunder (THIRDS 2)

Ash delivered a punch to Sloane’s arm. “What the fuck, man? You couldn’t have said something sooner?”

“Damn it, Ash.” Sloane rubbed his arm, glaring at his best friend. “I didn’t see the equipment until it was too late.” He returned Ash’s punch to the arm. “You’re the one who wanted to come here.”

“I didn’t know they’d started doing that shit. Now what?”

“Now we get drunk. He’s already checking out the playlist. It’s too late.”

Ash thought about it for a moment. “We could knock him out.”

“That’s your answer to everything isn’t it?” Sloane lowered his voice to mimic Ash’s growl. “Dex is singing in the shower, you want me to knock him out? Dex is eating gummy bears during the briefing, you want me to knock him out? Dex is napping during the assembly, you want me to knock him out?” Sloane shook his head. “How can you knock him out if he’s already out!”

“Chill, man. Don’t get your fucking panties in a bunch. I suggest you skip the beer and go straight to the vodka.” Ash strolled over to the bar and held a finger out to signal one of the barmen. “Also I could have woken him up and then knocked him out. Just saying.”

Sloane chose to ignore his friend, offering a noncommittal grunt when Bradley, the handsome Therian bartender with an armful of tattoos and tight black T-shirt, greeted him with his

cheerful smile. Bar Dekatria was a Therian and Human friendly bar that had quickly become a team favorite, especially for Dex. It was less than a fifteen-minute drive from THIRDS HQ. The place was tastefully decorated in a classy retro-style with rich dark woods, dark accents, a black, tufted leather bar, and leather seating, and had a spacious dance floor opposite the bar that Dex always managed to hijack along with his male and female groupies once he’d had a few drinks in him. The guy was a total lightweight when it came to booze.

“What’ll it be, Sloane? Beer? Or my ‘It’s Going to be One of Those Nights’ special?” Bradley leaned on the bar, his eyes sparkling with mischief. By now, Bradley had come to know Sloane and his team pretty well, and he had a bad habit of finding Dex amusing, among other things. The bartender had no sympathy for Sloane whatsoever. Bastard.

Sloane shook his head pitifully. “Karaoke night? Really? How could you do this to me?”

Bradley let out a pleasant laugh. “I’m sorry.”

“No you’re not,” Sloane muttered. “You just want to see him shake his ass.”

“He’s actually a good singer. At least this time he’ll have lyrics to follow when he’s too drunk to remember them. Besides, who doesn’t want to see your boy shake his ass?” Bradley gave him a wink and called out over his shoulder as he walked away. “I’ll get you that special.”

Bradley seemed to have gotten it in his head a few months ago that Sloane and Dex were meant to be together. Little did he know, they already were. Sort of. Sloane tried not to put a name to whatever it was he and Dex shared. All he knew was that for all his griping and grumbling, he liked being with Dex. He liked who he was around him, liked how Dex made him feel, and the sex was damn hot. Things were good between them. That was enough for him.

“Here you go.”

Sloane lifted the tall shot glass with the foggy concoction, a mix Bradley had put together just for him. “Should I be worried you refuse to tell me what’s in this?”

The speakers came on, along with the small stage’s spotlights. Crap. It was starting. He threw back the shot and shook off the sweet, tangy taste before placing it on the bar’s sleek black surface. “Better give me one more,” he wheezed. “And a beer.” A minute later, Bradley returned with his order, and Sloane made quick work of the shot. He thanked Bradley before making his way over to the small cluster of tables his team occupied in front of the stage Dex was walking up to. His partner took the microphone, that cheeky thousand-watt smile aimed at the growing crowd.

“Hi there,” he said, his voice throaty. The regulars who were already familiar with his antics cheered and applauded. Wherever his team went, Dex seemed to pick up a fan following. Something about the guy fascinated Humans and Therians alike. Sloane was still trying to work out what it was. Especially since the guy was… well, kinda weird. Then again, crazy had a way of attracting crazy.

“For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Agent Dexter J. Daley, but you can call me Dex when I’m not on duty. I am literally, licensed to kill.” He held a hand up to stifle the cheering. “Don’t let that scare you. That’s just the day job. At night, I’m—” Dex grinned wide and wriggled his brows. “—licensed to thrill.”

Sloane covered his face with his hand and groaned. He should have had at least two more of Bradley’s “specials.” Maybe three. No, four. Oh, sweet Jesus, what had he gotten himself into?

“That’s my team. Say hello, team.”

Sloane peeked through his fingers, watching Letty, Rosa, Cael, and Calvin wave enthusiastically, receiving a round of applause and catcalls. Hobbs ducked his head in an attempt to hide behind Calvin, and Ash looked pissed. Nothing new there.

“Yeah, they’re pretty awesome,” Dex added. “Especially that guy there. Agent Keeler. He is the biggest, squishiest teddy bear you’ll ever know.”

Sloane burst out laughing, much to Ash’s annoyance. His friend let out a low growl, his murderous glare on Dex, who smiled wider. “Kidding. He’s an asshole. But, next to him is my partner and Team Leader, Agent Brodie. Say hello, Agent Brodie.”

Although it wasn’t said, it was in Sloane’s expression. I’m going to kill you.

“He’s shy,” Dex said, removing the microphone from its stand. “This one’s for you, partner.”

“Oh, dear God.” He wasn’t…. He wouldn’t…. Sloane sat mortified. The piano started on a power ballad. He would. Sloane groaned when he recognized the song. “Oh God. It’s Journey. He’s going to sing Journey.” Dex owned every Journey album imaginable and was always driving him nuts with those damn songs. He recognized this one. “Faithfully.”

Rosa and Letty swayed with the music, whooping, and waving their arms in time to the ballad. Ash’s glare was deadly. “Really?”

“Leave the guy alone. He’s a good singer, and unlike some grumpy jackasses, he knows how to have fun.” Rosa didn’t bother looking at Ash, whose frown deepened.