Darkest Hour Before Dawn (THIRDS 9)

If Destructive Delta was ready to become an asset, it meant they'd been training for some time. Sparks cocked her head as she studied him.

"You look thoughtful."

"You've been preparing them for this." He still couldn't figure out why, though. She couldn't have predicted what Sloane's blood would do to Dex. "What if Dex hadn't become what he is? He couldn't be TIN, right? What then? Why train Destructive Delta?"

"I would have taken them on as my personal assets."

Seb was willing to bet his tiger Therian stripes that Destructive Delta wouldn't have accepted were it not for Dex and Sloane. Regardless. Whatever his friends' decisions, it had nothing to do with him. He didn't know TIN, and quite frankly, he didn't trust Sparks.

"I'm not getting into bed with TIN."

"You're an exceptional agent, Seb. Think of what you could accomplish as a TIN associate with the right training and the right... medical enhancements."

"Medical enhancements?" Seb stared at her. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Sparks dropped her gaze to Seb's knee before lifting her eyes back to his. "TIN could help you."

"But only if I join you?" He shook his head in disgust. "You people are unbelievable." He wasn't sure what he found more astounding, that TIN had the medical capabilities to help him or the fact they would only do so if it benefited them. The thought infuriated him. "I'd rather live with the pain than work for TIN."

"Seb--"

"Keep your training, your associates program, your goddamn enhancements," he ground out through his teeth. "I want nothing to do with it. Protecting Hudson is my priority, and I'll do that my way. Now if you don't mind, I have a job to do."

Sparks took the room off security mode. By the time the door opened behind him, Austen was gone. Seb hadn't even seen him leave.

"Am I interrupting?" A handsome leopard Therian in a THIRDS uniform stood in the doorway.

"Ah, Agent Carson. Perfect timing. Seb, this is Team Leader Trent Carson on loan from Unit Alpha over at Philadelphia HQ. Agent Carson, this is Agent Sebastian Hobbs, Team Leader for Theta Destructive."

Seb held out his hand. "Hey, welcome."

"Thanks. It's great to meet you."

"Agent Carson is interested in transferring to our office. Seeing as how Agent Taylor is on leave for an unknown period of time, it would be a good opportunity for Agent Carson to show us what he's made of. He'll be in charge of Beta Ambush until further notice."

Agent Carson gave her a curt nod. "I really appreciate this opportunity, ma'am. I won't let you down."

"I expect not. Seb, please give Agent Carson a quick tour of Unit Alpha, then take him to Conference Room A. Sergeant Maddock will join him there with the rest of Beta Ambush."

Seb nodded. He left the office with Carson at his side. Taylor hadn't been the easiest to get along with, and he could be a major pain in the ass, but he was a good guy and a hell of a Team Leader. Seb hoped he returned soon. Beta Ambush and Theta Destructive had a long history together. When either team was called out, they were usually backed up by the other, and they were the first on call to provide backup to Destructive Delta. Not having Taylor around was strange.

"I'm going to assume you've been briefed, Agent Carson?" Seb asked, making his way through Unit Alpha.

"Call me Trent. And yes, I have. Whatever you need, Agent Hobbs, just let me know."

"Call me Seb or everyone will think you're talking about my brother Ethan. Everyone calls him Hobbs. It's more of a nickname."

"His surname is his nickname?" Trent looked confused.

Seb couldn't help his chuckle. "His partner's name is Calvin. He's short and blond."

Understanding crossed Trent's face, and he laughed. "That's hilarious."

"If you value your life, you won't tell Cal that. He's small, but he will bust your shit up. He's also a sniper."

"Right. Don't piss off the sniper. Got it. So you've got a brother working in the same unit? That's great."

"I've got two, actually. My older brother, Rafe, is Team Leader for Alpha Ambush, and Ethan's a Public Safety Bomb Technician for Destructive Delta."