Hudson flinched. He swallowed hard and nodded. "You have every right to feel as you do, Sloane. And maybe you're right. Maybe he's not the brother I remember, but he saved Seb's life, and he saved me from Trent." He turned to Alfie. "That was you, wasn't it?" A thought occurred to Hudson, and his blood ran cold. "You sent those texts to my phone knowing Seb would go after Trent. Why would you do such a thing?"
Alfie averted his gaze, as if reluctant to say. Seeming to get his thoughts together, he turned his attention back to Hudson. "TIN and the Makhai want you. As much as I loathe to admit it, TIN can protect you. As an asset, you're far too important to lose. Once you're sworn in, the chances of the Makhai getting their hands on you drops significantly. Your man turned TIN down. That was a mistake."
Seb took a step toward Alfie. "You wanted us to join TIN, so you made sure it happened by using your own brother?"
Alfie's hard gaze was unwavering as he addressed Seb. "Trent provided the perfect opportunity. He had to pay for what he did to Hudson, and who better to serve that justice than you? I knew you wouldn't kill him, but you weren't above causing him pain. I've been watching you for some time, Sebastian. I know what you're willing to sacrifice for my brother, which is why I didn't use Hudson. I used you. Did you really think TIN wouldn't be watching you? Waiting for the perfect opportunity to bring you in? Why do you think you were picked up by TIN operatives? I set the bait, you took it, and TIN got what they wanted."
"But...." Dex shook his head, confused. "You hate TIN. Why would you want your brother to join them?" He thrust a finger at Hudson. "We are so having a long conversation about that later, by the way."
"My relationship with TIN is... complicated," Alfie said, wrinkling his nose.
"And Trent's friends?" Seb asked. "What did you do with them."
The speed with which the warmth drained from Alfie's eyes, replaced by a dead coldness that made Hudson shiver, was frightening. "They're rapists and abusers. I simply put them where they belong. With the trash. Or rather, six feet beneath it."
"Jesus." Sloane shook his head in disbelief. "You see? The man is a fucking sociopath!"
Alfie let out an indelicate snort. "How very self-righteous. Been there, done that, and all I got was blown up. No thank you. Have fun with TIN. Try not to get stabbed through the heart, or in the back." He put his hand on Hudson's shoulder. "We will talk, little brother. I promise. Right now, I really must dash. The flying monkeys are about to land."
"You're leaving?" Hudson snatched hold of Alfie's sleeve, surprised when Alfie didn't pull away.
"Like hell he is," Sloane growled, reaching out to grab Alfie's arm.
Alfie moved so quick, Hudson barely had a chance to react before Alfie had Sloane's arm pulled up against his back, a knife in his hand against Sloane's throat.
"Stop," Hudson pleaded with Alfie, only to be ignored.
"Manners." Alfie tsked at Sloane. "My little brother was speaking to me. It's been an awfully long time, so I'm sure you can understand how frustrating it is to have you interrupt. You boys really need to polish up that etiquette if you're going to work for TIN. Now, will you be a good little boy if I let you go?"
"Fuck you," Sloane spat out.
Alfie sighed. He moved his gaze to Hudson. "Forgive me, but I really must go. We'll chat. I'm not going anywhere just yet." He moved the knife and pushed Sloane into Dex before making a run for the stairs heading to the roof garden. They took off after him, but by the time they got up there, he was gone.
"I fucking hate it when they do that," Dex shrieked before kicking a chair for good measure. Just as Alfie had warned, TIN arrived within seconds, headed by Sparks.
"Where is he?"
Dex thrust a hand at the sky. "Your guess is as good as mine."
She peered at him, and he scoffed.
"Right, because he was gonna hang around for cake and champagne."
"What did he say to you?" Sparks asked Dex.
Hudson clenched his jaw and averted his gaze. Dex had to hand Alfie over. Who knew what horrid things his brother had done. Hudson couldn't blame Dex. He just wished he had a few minutes with Alfie to understand, to know how he'd become what he was.
"He said those guys were from the Makhai, and that they're the ones who hired him to kidnap and torture me."
"That's it?" Sparks eyed him. "Wolf showed up to save Hudson and get rid of the Makhai out of the kindness of his blackened heart?"
Dex shrugged. "I don't know. The guy does whatever he fucking feels like. You know more about him than we do. I'm sure you've got your theories. Care to share them with us?"
Sparks studied them all before turning on her high heels and heading for the door. "We'll get this place cleaned up. If you see or hear from Wolf again, I expect to be notified."
"Sure thing," Dex said with a salute.
"Oh, and, Hudson, Seb, congratulations on your marriage," she called out over her shoulder. "Take the day off. Put in a request for time off for your honeymoon when you're ready."