adult, he’d been unable to help Tony. God only knew where Tony was and what they were doing to him.
Sloane held Dex close, rubbing his cheek against Dex’s hair. All he could do was be there for Dex and make sure Dex didn’t burn down the city trying to get Tony back, because there was no doubt in Sloane’s mind that was exactly what Dex would do.
Dex was about to unleash hell on earth to save his father, and Sloane would be there to make sure the man he loved came back to him when it was done. Dex looked exhausted, as expected after what he’d just been through. Everything inside Sloane screamed in agony. His body, his mind, his heart. Yet somehow he was still numb. Like his brain couldn’t quite grasp the truth of what had happened. Like it was a horrible nightmare he had trouble waking up from. Tony always seemed untouchable.
They were supposed to be getting married in a few days. It was meant to be the happiest day of their lives. They’d be surrounded by family and friends. They’d dance, eat cake, and laugh. Tony was supposed to make a toast on their wedding day. Dex had teased him, and Tony surprised them both by admitting he was nervous about it, saying he was just going to talk from his heart because index cards never worked for him and what happened to plain white index cards? Who the hell needed them to be pink, purple, or blue? And what genius created neon index cards? Were they trying to blind him? Sloane shut his eyes tight at the memory. Fucking index cards. It was just another quirk that reminded Sloane of Dex. Tony and Dex shared more quirks than either admitted.
Sloane kissed the side of Dex’s head, and Dex opened his eyes.
“Cael?”
“Oh, baby. He doesn’t know. I only just found out.”
Dex nodded. “Is he here?”
“Yeah, he’s with Ash in one of the other rooms.”
“Could you…?” Dex didn’t finish his sentence, but he didn’t have to.
“Of course.”
Dex didn’t move from where he was; he just leaned away, as if he didn’t have the strength to do anything. Sloane made to get up, but Dex’s soft voice stopped him. He was staring at the floor, and Sloane wondered if Dex was talking to Sloane or himself.
“Everything’s hazy and foggy, a blur of colors and emotions, so jumbled that nothing makes sense. Like I’m drowning. I can feel the fire inside me fading, and I know I need to do something about it, but all I can feel is pain. What if I can’t do anything? What if I don’t get to Dad in time? What if instead of a wedding, I’m arranging a funeral? I can’t lose Tony. What the hell am I supposed to do without him?”
Sloane cupped Dex’s face and turned his head so Sloane could meet his gaze. “We’re going to find him, sweetheart, but you need to be strong. Cael’s going to need you to be strong.”
“Cael.” Dex nodded, but the words didn’t seem to sink in.
“I’ll be right back.” He kissed Dex’s brow and got up. Thankfully he didn’t have to go far. When he walked out, Austen, Cael, and Ash were standing at the end of the hall. When Cael spotted Sloane, Sloane motioned for him to come over. Cael took off at top speed and was at his side in a heartbeat. Sloane didn’t say a word. He walked in after Cael and closed the door behind him. Normally he would have left the brothers alone, but not this time. Not when they might need him.
“Dex?”
All at once, Dex jolted. He sucked in a sharp breath and blinked, as if he were blinking away the haze. He met Cael’s tear-filled eyes, and Dex wiped away his own, his voice breaking when he spoke.
“I’m so sorry, Chirpy.”
Cael kneeled in front of Dex. He looked around the room before turning his attention back to his brother. “It’s okay. I’m sure TIN won’t care about a little equipment….”
Sloane braced himself. His heart broke for them, and he stood by the door, quiet and still, watching as Dex swallowed hard and met Cael’s gaze.
“Not about that,” Dex said. “They took him, Cael. They took Dad.”
Cael stared at him. “What… what do you mean they took him? Who took him?”
“The Makhai.”
Cael opened his mouth but nothing came out.
“After the tux fitting. They got the drop on him. I heard him scream, and when I turned around, they were putting him in a van. I chased after them, but I couldn’t….”
Cael looked around the room again, really looking this time. Sloane had no idea what was going on in Cael’s head, but he could imagine Cael putting it all together, why the room was in pieces. Cael turned back to Dex, a tear rolling down his cheek before he threw his arms around his brother and squeezed him tight. Dex wrapped his arms around Cael, his eyes closed, and his lips pressed together, most likely in an attempt not to lose it. Dex would do anything for his little brother, and Sloane could see how desperate Dex was to keep it together. Cael needed him, and Dex would push aside his own grief and despair for Cael. Sloane had watched him do it before.
“We’re going to get him back,” Cael said, his voice quiet and uncertain.
“We are,” Dex promised, running a hand over Cael’s head. “And then I’m going to make those sons of bitches pay.”
The promise of retribution in Dex’s voice sent an icy chill through Sloane. Most people who looked at Dex saw a cheeky, happy-go-lucky guy. The life of the party, the sweet guy who helped old ladies cross the street. They saw the jokester, the sexy guy with the million-watt smile. Few got to see the darkness lurking beneath the surface. The side Sloane knew existed, because he’d seen glimpses of it over the years. There would be nowhere the kidnappers could hide from Dex.