Dex shrugged. “She said we could do things our way, provided we get results and our covers don’t get blown. No one can know what I am or who we work for.”
“Wait, you’re actually considering this?”
Sloane tossed the wallets on the table, and Dex returned them to his pocket.
“I can’t believe this.” He met Dex’s gaze. “You want to leave the THIRDS?”
“No, I mean…. No. We wouldn’t be leaving. There would be changes, but….”
“Dex? Talk to me, babe. What’s on your mind?”
“I keep thinking about my parents, about everything they did, everything they risked for the greater good. A better world for Therians and Humans. It seems like every month there’s some new maniac trying to make it rain blood, bringing chaos to innocent people, to our friends and family. What if instead of dealing with the puppets, we try to bring down the puppet masters, the ones skulking in the shadows? We could make a real difference.”
“We are making a difference.”
“I know we are, but think about the bigger picture, Sloane. Think about all those assholes like Moros. We know they exist, they’re out there, and who the hell knows when they’ll come down on us, when they’ll strike and take someone we love from us. Do you really want to sit back and just wait for them to come to us? Not only could we keep our city safe, but our country, our world.”
Sloane let out a low whistle. “The world? Just two of us?”
“As part of a bigger organization. Think of the resources TIN must have. The freedom not to be entangled in all that red tape. You hate red tape.”
“But it’s necessary, Dex. Without rules, without law, we have chaos.”
“I know that, but let’s face it. It’s flawed. The law is black and white, but the world and the people in it run a vast spectrum of colors. What about Special Ops? The CIA? You’re telling me they’re sitting behind their desks waiting for a stamp that tells them it’s okay to take down that guy who plans to kill hundreds of people in one swoop? Or that billionaire douchebag who hands out payoffs and fudges results so he can make millions off an experimental drug that could kill thousands, because hey, what’s thousands versus billions of people and dollars?”
“What about everything they’ve put us through? The secrets? The lies? You want us to just look the other way?”
“That all happened with us being on the outside looking in, but surely that would change once we’re on the inside. Look at the training we’ve received, and that’s just from Sparks. Imagine what we could learn, what we’d be capable of as operatives. I’m not saying we should trust them. Not right off the bat. But think about everything we could accomplish.” He took Sloane’s hand in his. “Together. Me and you.”
“You feel strongly about this, don’t you?”
Dex let out a heavy sigh. “I’m just saying, think about the possibilities, with us doing things our way. Whatever you decide”—Dex smiled at him and squeezed Sloane’s hand—“I’ll back you up. I don’t go anywhere without you.”
Sloane nodded. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “What about our family, our friends, our team?”
Dex shrugged. “Maybe it’s time Ash took on a bigger role in the team.”
Sloane brought Dex’s fingers to his lips for a kiss. “I don’t know if I can take this step.”
Dex’s heart sank, but he understood. He couldn’t ask this of Sloane. This was something he felt strongly about, something he wanted, and it wasn’t just him anymore. It was them. This would change everything. Their lives. They’d be sent all over the world, doing God only knew what.
“Unless you take it with me as my husband.”
Dex’s hand stopped in midair. Very slowly, he lowered it to the table. “I’m sorry. For a moment there, I thought you said husband.”
Sloane’s amber eyes glowed as he smiled. He got up, moved his chair, and reached into his pocket. “This isn’t where I planned to do this, but I don’t think I can wait anymore.”
The café buzzed with chatter and gasps as Sloane got down on one knee. Dex’s eyes widened, his heart about to beat out of him. He couldn’t breathe. Oh my God, he couldn’t breathe.
“Dexter Justice Daley, will you do me the honor of starting a new adventure with me as my husband?”
Sloane opened the small black box, and Dex gasped.
“Is that…?”
“Your dad’s wedding ring. Tony was keeping it safe for you. When I told him I wanted to marry you, he brought it over for me. So… will you marry me?”
Dex nodded, tears in his eyes as Sloane slipped the ring onto his finger, the whole place erupting into applause. Sloane stood, and Dex threw himself into his embrace. Dex had never been happier. He squeezed Sloane’s neck so tight, Sloane groaned.