Cael’s chirps changed. They weren’t the usual chirps used when admonishing Dex or when Cael was happy. These were high-pitched and frequent, sounding the alarm and calling out for help. Sloane appeared at Dex’s side, hissing at Cael, who chirped angrily at him, his ears flattened, but Sloane wasn’t listening. He hissed and roared, forcing Cael to shrink away from Dex despite his reluctance.
“Don’t,” Dex pleaded with Sloane, who rubbed his head against Dex’s head, then his face, followed by his shoulder. “It’s Cael, okay? Don’t push him away.”
“Dex!”
Rosa came running with Letty on her heels. Managing to look behind him, Dex saw Seb, Ash, and Hobbs nipping at a limping Taylor, herding him toward the empty cage at the back of Beta Ambush’s BearCat. Sloane curled around Dex, his painful wails bringing a lump to Dex’s throat. He’d never heard Sloane make that sound before. As if his partner was in physical pain because he’d hurt Dex.
“I know you didn’t mean it, babe. I know.”
Rosa ran over with her medical kit when Sloane hissed and bared his fangs at her, and anyone else who tried to get close to Dex.
“Babe, it’s okay. I need Rosa to help me. Please.”
Sloane let out a soft mew, bumping his face against Dex’s before lying on his belly, his side pressed up against Dex. Tony’s concerned voice came over Dex’s earpiece.
“Dex? What the hell is going on? Why is Taylor bloodied and in the back of his own truck?”
“He, uh, was being a dick. We did it for his own good.”
“Explain.”
“It’s fine.”
The line went quiet, and Dex let out a sigh of relief. He’d explain everything to his dad, but now was not the time. Rosa got on her knees and quickly removed all the supplies she needed from her medical bag. Dex sat up so she could get to his arm better. Letty offered him support, and Sloane crawled over until he was once again pressed up against Dex’s side.
“What the hell happened?”
Shit. So much for hoping his dad had let it go.
Tony crouched down beside him, inspecting his arm. “Jesus, Dex. Did Taylor do that?”
He looked like he was about to pop a blood vessel. Sloane let out a low wail, and Tony turned his attention to Sloane, his eyes wide.
“You did that?”
Sloane flattened his ears back against his head and opened his mouth, but there was no hiss. Like he was trying his hardest to explain.
“It was an accident,” Dex assured his dad, sucking in a sharp breath as Rosa used the Therian-strength disinfectant wipes to clean his wounds. There was no point in trying to bullshit his dad. “Sloane and I were heading back to the truck when Taylor attacked Sloane.”
Tony’s brows furrowed. “What? That makes no sense. Why would Taylor—” Realization dawned on him, and he cursed under his breath. “He challenged Sloane. Damn it. I thought the talk we had back at HQ had gotten through to him.”
Dex nodded. Taylor challenging Sloane was better than the alternative theories. Like the one where Taylor may have been sent to kill them.
“Damn it, Dex. I warned you about this. You could have been fucking killed!”
“But I wasn’t. It was an accident. Sloane was going for Taylor, and I got in his way.”
Tony pressed his lips together before coming to some sort of conclusion. “We need to report it. Taylor needs to answer for this.”
“No. Please.”
“Boy, are you out of your damn mind?” Tony thrust a finger in the direction of Dex’s arm. “You almost lost a fucking arm.”
“Sarge—Dad, please. If Sparks finds out about this, it won’t just be Taylor who gets punished. You really think she won’t consider that I might be a liability? I’m the only agent at the THIRDS who’s marked. What if she tries to give me a fucking desk job, or worse? Please. We’ll deal with Taylor. This is all new for us. We’re still learning.” They needed time. Time to get to the truth.
“And if it happens again? Then what? What if next time skin glue won’t be enough?”
Cael rubbed his head against Tony’s arm, making him smile. He scratched Cael behind the ear, his attention going back to Dex.