Hudson agreed Ash was a very perceptive man. He was far more intelligent than most believed him to be. Sadly, it was one of many ridiculous assumptions made about lion Therians. That they were lazy, thick-skulled hotheads. Ash might have quite the temper, but he possessed a greater range of emotions than simply anger. His relationship with Cael exhibited as much. The young cheetah Therian seemed to bring out Ash's gentler side, one few believed he possessed. Hudson's thoughts wandered off to his relationship with Seb, and how much Hudson had changed from the man he'd been when he first arrived in New York City. He'd been so closed off from the world, from everything around him.
Two TIN operatives appeared out of nowhere, startling Hudson from his thoughts. He let out a very--in his opinion--rugged squeak before glaring up at one of them, a sleek-looking jaguar Therian.
"Blooming hell! Honestly," Hudson huffed, "must you pop out of the shadows like some bleeding vampire? We're in your facility. There's no one else here!"
Sloane had some manners and put a fist to his mouth to keep from laughing. Dex on the other hand had been raised in a bloody barn and didn't bother, laughing without reserve.
"Oh, quiet, you." Hudson pointed a menacing finger at Dex. "If you ever sneak up on me like that, I will kick your arse."
"No, you won't," Dex said with a chuckle.
Hudson pursed his lips, his eyes narrowed. "Well, I'll be miffed at you, that's for certain."
"That, I don't doubt," Dex said, throwing an arm around Hudson's shoulders, his boyish grin wide.
Hudson grunted his displeasure at being so blasted predictable. Maybe he wouldn't kick Dex's arse, but he'd certainly want to.
They were escorted out into an empty garage, where an SUV like the one that brought them waited to transport them back to HQ. The doors had closed behind them when Dex surprised Hudson by taking a seat beside him instead of across from him where Sloane was sitting.
"Everything all right?" Hudson asked.
"Yeah. So, you know how TIN let you come along with us and take notes?"
"I was curious about that," Hudson admitted. "Why were they so... agreeable? Whatever you asked for, they jumped to it, as if you were--" Realization slammed into him, and he gasped. He moved his gaze from Dex's concerned expression to Sloane's somber one and back. "You...? Both of you...?"
Dex nodded, but Hudson couldn't seem to grasp the situation. Dex and Sloane... TIN?
"But... how? Why?"
Dex explained all the good he wanted to do with TIN, and the more Hudson listened, the more it made sense. Dex was a passionate man, with a strong sense of righteousness the likes of which he'd never seen. Family was as vital to Dex as breathing. After everything he had suffered with the loss of his parents at the hands of Moros and his cohorts, it was no surprise he wanted to do everything in his power to protect the family he had now. Hudson understood. For Sloane, his passion was akin to that of his future husband.
"I know I've put you in danger by bringing you into this, but it's not too late to back out," Dex said, placing his hand on Hudson's shoulder. "If anything happened to you because I pushed you--"
Hudson put his hand up to stop Dex. "You didn't push, Dex. You came to me in need, and I agreed to help. Since that day you walked into my home, you've made no secret of the dangers I could be facing. You've given me ample opportunities to walk away, and have continued to voice your concern since Wolf's warning. I appreciate it. I truly do, but I want to do this." He smiled warmly at Dex. "You're not the only one who wants to make a difference. I've spent a long time dealing with victims who've met their ends too soon. If I can do something to help prevent them from ending up on my examiner's table, then please, let me do that. Let me help you."
Dex nodded. "Okay. But if you ever want out, you tell me."
"You have my word."
Hudson loved his job, but sometimes he wished he could do more. This was his chance. It had been rather frightful knowing a lethal killer had been observing him closely enough to have photographic evidence of events in Hudson's life. Why Wolf decided Hudson needed protecting was beyond him. Then again, no one could explain why Wolf did anything. The man was an enigma. It could all be an elaborate setup. For now, Hudson would continue to exercise caution.
With Hudson's assurances, Dex changed the subject to a more jovial topic, including the party taking place this evening at Dekatria. Dex and Sloane would be announcing their wedding date, which they refused to share with Hudson despite his poking.
"Very well," Hudson said with a sigh. "Any thoughts on the stag nights?"
Dex eyed him. "The what now?"
"Stag night. The, um...." What the hell did Americans call it? "Oh." He snapped his fingers. "The bachelor party."
"Ah, stag. Right. Makes sense." Dex shrugged. "I have no idea, to be honest. Cael's my best man, so he's been put in charge of that."
"Ash will be putting mine together since he's my best man," Sloane said, smiling.
Dex shook his head, his eyes wide. "I don't know whether to laugh or be absolutely terrified at the idea of Ash putting together a bachelor party. I can't even picture it. The dude hates everything. A gun-range theme maybe? Bobbing for grenades?"
Sloane rolled his eyes. "I'm sure it'll be fine."
"Just as long as he brings you back in one piece," Dex replied sweetly, patting Sloane's knee.