"Since he came to warn me that a bunch of thugs are on their way to kidnap Cael, Austen, and West. Apparently, they're after Austen because of TIN, but the only intel they have is that he's a cheetah Therian and that he's here tonight for my bachelor party. When they realize there's more than one cheetah Therian here, they're going to grab all three. We need to get the guys out of here."
"You really think they'd try something with this many people around? I mean, how do they plan on dragging away three Therians with no one noticing?" Ash seemed to think about it. "Scratch that. If they've been sent here after Austen, I'm guessing they're pretty well versed in kidnapping, which means they've probably got a plan, so we need one too."
"Agreed. For all we know, they may already be in here. We need to keep this situation contained."
"If they're here to pull this shit under our noses knowing we're THIRDS, it means they're either counting on the element of surprise, or considering this is a bachelor party, that we're too drunk to know our asses from our elbows."
Dex hated to admit it, but if it hadn't been for Wolf's warning, both of those statements would have been true.
Austen appeared next to Dex and threw his arms around Dex's neck to press up against his side. What the hell? Dex was about to push Austen off him when Austen whispered in his ear, "They're here, and I have their attention."
"How do you know it's them?" Dex asked.
Austen arched an eyebrow at him. "That's sort of my job. Also, there was a group of Therians by the bar who weren't here before. They split up, and were obviously looking for someone. So smile, flirt, and pretend you're taking me home."
What was it with these spies getting all up in his personal space? Dex smiled and slipped his arm around Austen's waist, murmuring in his ear, "When this is over, I'm going to kick your ass. And then I'm going to tell Sloane on you."
Austen
laughed seductively, like Dex had just said the filthiest thing. He lowered his lashes, and Dex was taken aback by the sudden change from bristled felid to agent provocateur. It was more than a little disturbing. Didn't change the fact Dex was going to kick his ass for this.
"What's the matter, handsome?" Austen purred quietly, his hand going to Dex's stomach. Dex flinched on instinct. "Oh, you're going to need a much better poker face if you're going to make it as a spy, Daley. A little physical contact makes you nervous? You really think you have what it takes to be TIN?" Austen slipped his hand under Dex's shirt, his fingers stroking Dex's skin.
Dex gritted his teeth, and he met Ash's dark gaze. The question was there. Dex could see it in his amber eyes. They might not always agree on things, in fact they rarely did, but however they might deny it, they were family. They'd been through a hell of a lot together.
With a seductive smile of his own, Dex took hold of Austen's hand and pulled it out from under his shirt. He brushed his lips over Austen's brow and squeezed Austen's hand so tight it made Austen suck in a sharp breath.
"Not only do I have what it takes," Dex said, his voice husky as he slipped his knee in between Austen's legs, "but I can and will do it without crossing that line." He flinched as the tips of his claws pierced his skin. Gently he pressed his claws against Austen's back, just enough to hear his breath hitch. "What is it you're trying to get out of me here? Don't play games with me, Austen. I am never, ever going to cross that line. Not for you, TIN, or anyone. This job might mean a lot to me, but not as much as he means to me."
Austen looked up at him, studying Dex's face. "That's all I wanted to hear."
"Were you testing me?"
"I was curious. The real test is yet to come. Now let's go. They're back at the bar."
Dex nodded at Ash as if he were excusing himself for the night. "You, Seb, and Zach, meet us at the playground next block over. Make sure no one sees you. Everyone else keeps an eye on Cael and West."
Ash gave his back a hearty pat before walking off. Dex threw an arm around Austen and drew him close as he headed for the coatroom to fetch their coats. He smiled as he helped Austen into his trendy bomber jacket before he thanked the coat check guy for bringing him his black overcoat.
"You left your shirt inside," Austen said, looping his arm through Dex's.
"I'll grab it later. How many?"
"I made six. Doesn't mean there aren't more."
"Make sure they follow."
"Don't worry, they're following."
"Good. Let's do this."
Chapter 8
DEX AND Austen left the club and headed toward the park one block over. The park was closed, and the gates locked. Not that it could keep out anyone who wanted to get in. They were being followed. Even if Dex didn't know it, he'd have felt it. His vision, sense of smell, and instincts were sharper. He might not be able to see the Therians following them, but he could smell them. He focused on isolating the Therian scent--ignoring the shower gel or soap--and their individual male musk. Then he compared those unique scents to those of Therians he was familiar with. The jaguar scent hit him first, then the lion. Two lions. A tiger, and two cougars. At least he knew what they were up against. For now, anyway.
Austen climbed the fence to the playground and leaped over the bars with ease, landing gracefully on the other side. Dex followed, finding it easy to hoist himself up and over, despite his added body mass. He took a seat on one of the swings beside Austen, who was lost in thought. Dex had a pretty good idea who those thoughts were about. After all this time, he still knew so little about Austen--only what Sloane had shared with him about how they'd met and how Austen ended up with TIN. Dex had no idea where Austen came from, or what he'd been through while out on the streets. Dex often had to remind himself that Austen was younger than Cael. Instead of being in school with other kids his age, Austen had been working for the THIRDS and TIN.
"Stop," Austen growled.