Dex cleared his throat and politely tried to pull his hand out of Trent's grasp. Trent held on.
Let go. Now.
Trent continued to hold on to Dex's hand, and Sloane straightened to his full height, his pupils dilating.
Let. Go.
Sloane took a step forward, and Seb grabbed Trent's shoulder, jerking him back. "Hey, look at the time. Maddock's expecting Trent. Excuse us." Seb dragged Trent along with him, whispering hoarsely at him, "Are you out of your fucking mind? What did I say?"
"Oh God, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. He... he just smelled so damned good. His eyes, and, Jesus, that mouth. Did you see those lips? Fuck, he's hot."
Seb turned the corner and brought Trent up against the wall. "Listen and listen good. You are not off to a good start. You're talking about another guy's mate."
"It's not my fault," Trent huffed. "Come on, man." He smirked and playfully smacked Seb on the chest. "You understand that kind of pull, right? Besides, those guys know what they're in for. I think some of them secretly like the attention."
Seb straightened. "What?"
"Those guys that let themselves get marked. They know what they're in for, know other Therians are gonna want to, you know." He shrugged, his lips curling into a wicked grin. "They're practically begging for it. Am I right, buddy?"
Seb shoved Trent hard, slamming him into the wall. He ignored the man's pained grunt and fisted a handful of Trent's shirt, pinning the smaller Therian to the spot. When he spoke, there was no mistaking the threat in his low growl.
"Now you listen here. I'm not your friend or your buddy. I hear you say shit like that again, and not only will I make sure you're on the first flight back to Philly, I will personally drag your ass over to Sloane Brodie, and you can look him in the eye and tell him his mate is begging for it."
Trent threw up his arms. "All right, I'm sorry. Shit, man. I had no idea that was such a touchy subject for you."
"Touchy subject?" Seb thrust a finger at the end of the hall. "Conference room is that way. You better fucking impress me out in the field, because right now, I am not impressed." He released Trent and turned to leave but not before growling over his shoulder, "Nice to fucking meet you, Trent. Stay the fuck out of my way."
Seb shook his head as he stalked back to his office. If there was one thing he didn't tolerate, it was talk like that, and not just because of Hudson or Dex. That mentality that Humans and Therians invited trouble because they were marked pissed Seb off--though not as much as those who believed a marked mate getting sexually assaulted was the victim's fault, because it was "in their nature." It was disgusting.
"Whoa, who pissed in your Cheerios?" Dom asked, looking concerned.
"Just met Taylor's replacement. Agent Trent Carson."
"That good, huh?"
Seb didn't keep anything from Dom, and Dom didn't keep anything from him. They were partners and, more importantly, friends. His first instinct was to confide in Dom. However, Seb knew him well, and when something or someone pissed Dom off, there was no hiding it. Dom's passions ran hot, and his temper, if not controlled, was explosive.
Seb pressed his lips together and sat without saying a word.
Dom groaned. "It's going to piss me off, isn't it? What? Is he a douche?"
Seb sighed as he took a seat at his desk. "I'll tell you if you promise to be an adult about it."
"I'm always an adult," Dom protested, his frown deep. "But now that I know what you're gonna say is gonna piss me off, you expect me to be nice to this asshole?"
"No, just--"
"Fucking tell me already."
Seb did.
Dom's expression darkened, a silent fury washing over him. The only hints he was royally pissed off were the set of his jaw and the steel in his eyes.
"Yeah, definitely an asshole," he ground out.
Seb grunted. Even if he hadn't been keeping an eye on Hudson, he would be now. The last thing he wanted was to have Trent sniffing around him. The thought alone was enough to get his blood boiling. Again. Trent Carson better watch himself, because if Seb got even the smallest hint the guy was up to no good, Seb wouldn't hesitate to teach him some manners.
Chapter 3