Tried & True Read online

  Table of Contents

  Blurb

  THIRDS

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  CAST MEMBERS IN THE THIRDS SERIES

  GLOSSARY

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  More from Charlie Cochet

  Readers love the THIRDS series by Charlie Cochet

  About the Author

  By Charlie Cochet

  Visit Dreamspinner Press

  Copyright

  Tried & True

  By Charlie Cochet

  Sequel to Darkest Hour Before Dawn

  THIRDS: Book Ten

  When THIRDS agent Dexter J. Daley met Team Leader Sloane Brodie, he couldn’t have imagined how slamming into his new partner—literally—would shake both their worlds. Now four years later, they’ve faced dangers, fought battles both personal and professional… and fallen deeply in love. Now their big moment is finally in sight, and they’re ready to stand up together and make it official. Unfortunately, as the countdown to their big day begins, an enemy declares war on the THIRDS….

  With their family in danger, Dex and Sloane are put to the test on how far into darkness they’ll walk to save those they love. As secrets are unearthed, a deadly betrayal is revealed, and Dex and Sloane must call on their Destructive Delta family for one last hurrah to put an end to the secret organization responsible for so much devastation.

  Dex and Sloane will have plenty of bullets to dodge on the way to the altar, but with happiness within their grasp, they are determined to get there come hell or high water….

  THIRDS

  Action. Humor. Romance.

  THIRDS exists to uphold the law for Humans and Therians without prejudice.

  During the Vietnam War, biological warfare spread the Melanoe virus, infecting millions worldwide and changing the course of human history forever. The vaccine, Eppione.8, created using strains from animals immune to the virus, activated a dormant mutation within the virus that altered human DNA and gave birth to a new species: Therians.

  In an attempt to restore social order, the US government put new regulations and laws into place, along with a Therian branch of government. In 1990, Human and Therian legislators launched the Therian-Human Intelligence Recon Defense Squadron, aka the THIRDS, now a worldwide organization. An elite, military-funded agency, THIRDS units are comprised of an equal number of Human and Therian agents.

  But THIRDS agents are more than a team—they’re a family through thick and thin, and along the way, some find true love. While every day brings dangers and challenges, one thing will never change: standing up for what you believe in and protecting the people you love is never optional.

  To Denise and Amy, the sisters I got to choose. And to my parents for believing in me, encouraging me, and loving me. Thank you.

  Acknowledgments

  CHEESE DOODLES and a dream. That’s how it all started. When a certain cheesy-doodle-crunching, gummy-bear-munching, eighties-music-obsessed dirty blond sauntered onto the stage of my mind, I had no idea what he was about to unleash, or the Journey he would share (see what I did there? I know, he’s got to get it from someone, right?). Anyway, I often get asked where the idea for the THIRDS came from. It came from a desire to write something different, something fun and crazy that would suck readers in, have them falling in love with the characters, and give them a world they could escape to for a little while. A world occupied by heroes of their own making, not because they’re perfect, but imperfect. Destructive Delta is more than a team; they’re a family. We’ve followed them on their adventures, laughed with them, cried with them, wanted to throttle them. And now we’ve come to the end. Sort of.

  I want to thank everyone who’s supported me on this incredible adventure. Because of this series, I’ve met so many amazing people, many who now hold a special place in my heart. The love and support shown these fellas has been an inspiration. Thank you to Dreamspinner Press for taking a chance on that one weird guy. To every reader who took a chance on a new-to-them author, who picked up a genre they didn’t normally read, who spread the love to their friends and got them hooked. To everyone who showed so much love. To the THIRDS Nerds, who are the most amazing group of folks.

  CAST MEMBERS IN THE THIRDS SERIES

  (YOU’LL FIND these cast members throughout the THIRDS series, some being introduced in different books. This list will continue to grow.)

  DESTRUCTIVE DELTA

  Sloane Brodie—Defense agent. Team Leader. Jaguar Therian.

  Dexter J. Daley “Dex”—Defense agent. Former homicide detective for the Human Police Force. Older brother to Cael Maddock. Adopted by Anthony Maddock. Human-Therian Hybrid.

  Ash Keeler—Defense agent. Entry Tactics and Close Quarter Combat expert. Lion Therian.

  Julietta Guerrera “Letty”—Defense agent. Weapons expert. Human.

  Calvin Summers—Defense agent. Sniper. Human.

  Ethan Hobbs—Defense agent. Demolitions expert and Public Safety Bomb Technician. Has two older brothers: Rafe and Sebastian Hobbs. Tabby tiger Therian.

  Cael Maddock—Recon agent. Tech expert. Dex’s younger brother. Adopted by Anthony Maddock. Cheetah Therian.

  Rosa Santiago—Recon agent. Crisis negotiator and medic. Human.

  COMMANDING OFFICERS

  Lieutenant Sonya Sparks—Lieutenant for Unit Alpha. Cougar Therian. Undercover operative for Therian Intelligence Network (TIN).

  Sergeant Anthony Maddock “Tony”—Sergeant for Destructive Delta. Dex and Cael’s adoptive father. Human.

  MEDICAL EXAMINERS

  Dr. Hudson Colbourn—Chief medical examiner. Wolf Therian.

  Dr. Nina Bishop—Medical examiner. Human.

  AGENTS FROM OTHER SQUADS

  Ellis Taylor—Team Leader for Beta Ambush. Leopard Therian.

  Rafe Hobbs—Team Leader for Alpha Ambush. The oldest Hobbs brother. Tiger Therian.

  Sebastian Hobbs—Team Leader for Theta Destructive. Was once on Destructive Delta but was transferred after his relationship with Hudson ended in a breach of protocol and civilian loss. Middle Hobbs brother. Tiger Therian.

  Dominic Palladino—Defense agent. Close Quarter Combat expert for Theta Destructive. Human.

  Angel Herrera—Defense agent. Pilot and BearCat driver for Theta Destructive. Human.

  Osmond Zachary “Zach”—Agent for Alpha Sleuth in Unit Beta. Has six brothers working for the THIRDS. Brown bear Therian.

  West Delray—Recon agent for Theta Destructive. King cheetah Therian.

  OTHER IMPORTANT CAST MEMBERS

  Louis Huerta “Lou”—Dex’s ex-boyfriend. Human.

  Bradley Darcy—Bartender and owner of Bar Dekatria. Jaguar Therian.

  Austen Payne—Squadron Specialist Agent (SSA) for Destructive Delta. Freelance operative for TIN. Cheetah Therian.

  Dr. Abraham Shultzon—Head doctor during the First Gen Recruitment Program who was personally responsible for the well-being of the THIRDS’ First Gen recruits. Was also responsible for the tests that were run on the Therian children at the First Gen Research Facility. Recently apprehended by TIN for creating an unsanctioned Therian mind-control drug and for kidnapping THIRDS Therian agents for an unauthorized project.

  Wolf—AKA Fang, Reaper. Former TIN operative turned rogue. Wolf became a freelance agent for hire after feeling he was betrayed by TIN, the organization that caused the death of his partner. Wolf Therian.

&nbs
p; John Daley—Dexter J. Daley’s biological father. Anthony Maddock’s best friend and partner at the Human Police Force. Killed during a shootout in a movie theater during the riots. Human.

  Gina Daley—Dexter J. Daley’s biological mother. Worked for the CDC in NYC. First to volunteer to work with Therians. Killed along with her husband during a shootout in a movie theater during the riots. Human.

  Darla Summers—Calvin Summer’s mother. Human.

  Thomas Hobbs—Ethan, Sebastian, and Rafe Hobbs’s father. Suffers from Therian Acheron Syndrome. Tiger Therian.

  Julia Hobbs—Thomas Hobbs’s wife, and mother to Ethan, Sebastian, and Rafe Hobbs. Human.

  Benedict Winters—THIRDS-appointed psychologist. Wolf Therian.

  Admiral Abbott Moros—Chief of Therian Defense. Tiger Therian.

  Arlo Keeler—Ash’s twin brother, killed during the riots in the 1980s.

  Gabe Pearce—Sloane’s ex-partner and ex-lover on Destructive Delta. Killed on duty by his brother Isaac. Human.

  Isaac Pearce—Gabe’s older brother. Was a detective for the Human Police Force who became leader of the Order of Adrasteia. Was killed by Destructive Delta during a hostage situation. Human.

  Beck Hogan—Leader of the Ikelos Coalition. Killed during confrontation with THIRDS agents. Tiger Therian.

  Drew Collins—Beck Hogan’s second in command. Cougar Therian.

  Felipe Bautista—Drew Collins’s boyfriend. Wolf Therian.

  Milena Stanek—Antiques acquisitions. Rosa’s girlfriend. Leopard Therian.

  James Kirk—Firefighter. Letty’s boyfriend. White tiger Therian.

  GLOSSARY

  Melanoe virus—A virus released during the Vietnam War through the use of biological warfare, infecting millions worldwide and killing hundreds of thousands.

  Eppione.8—A vaccine created using strains from animals immune to the virus. It awakened a dormant mutation within the virus, resulting in the altering of Human DNA, and giving birth to Therians.

  Therians—Shifters brought about through the mutation of Human DNA as a result of the Eppione.8 vaccine.

  Postshift Trauma Care (PSTC)—The effects of Therian Postshift Trauma are similar to the aftereffects of an epileptic seizure, only on a smaller scale, including muscle soreness, bruising, brief disorientation, and hunger. Eating after a shift is extremely important, as not eating could lead to the Therian collapsing and a host of other health issues. PSTC is the care given to Therians after they shift back to Human form.

  THIRDS (Therian-Human Intelligence Recon Defense Squadron)—An elite, military-funded agency comprised of an equal number of Human and Therian agents and intended to uphold the law for all citizens without prejudice.

  Themis—A powerful, multimillion-dollar government interface used by the THIRDS. It’s linked to numerous intelligence agencies across the globe and runs a series of highly advanced algorithms to scan surveillance submitted by agents.

  First Gen—First Generation Therians born with a perfected version of the mutation.

  Pre-First Gens—Any Therian before First Gen Therians. Known to have unstable versions of the mutation, resulting in a number of health issues.

  BearCat—THIRDS tactical vehicle.

  Human Police Force (HPF)—A branch of law enforcement consisting of Human officials dealing only with crimes committed by Humans.

  Sparta—Nickname for the THIRDS agent training facility at the Manhattan THIRDS headquarters.

  TIN—Therian Intelligence Network. Therian equivalent to the Human CIA.

  TINMAN—TIN operative. Nicknamed after the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz, as TIN operatives are rumored to have no heart.

  Anti-Therianism—Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against Therians.

  Therian Classification—Tattoo marking on a Therian’s neck displaying the Therian’s classification, including family, genus, and species.

  CHAPTER 1

  HE WAS on his own.

  Dex breathed in deeply through his nose, then let the breath out slowly through his mouth. He steadied his heart, his pulse, his breathing. His body answered to him, not the other way around. It was three against one, though there was only the one he had to worry about. He had to stay on his guard with that one.

  “You’re going down.”

  Dex opened his eyes, his focus on the huge tiger Therian before him. His dear delusional friend had no idea what he was getting himself into. Seb would be the one going down, but first…. Dex curled his lip up on one side as he moved his gaze to Hudson. The good doctor would be the first down but the last man standing. Dex would make sure of it. His most challenging target, however, slowly circled Dex. He could feel his mate’s eyes burning over every inch of him.

  Sloane came back into view, the predator inside him looking out at Dex through molten amber eyes, his pupils dilated. His Felid was awake, ready to hunt, and Dex was his prey, or so Sloane believed. Sloane flexed his fingers, the knuckles stretching the blue wraps around his hands. The black racerback tank accentuated his broad muscular shoulders, and Dex allowed his gaze to travel down the thick biceps to his deliciously corded forearms. The tank was snug against his expansive chest, down to his torso and tapered waist. The loose black yoga pants rested low on his hips, and his feet were bare.

  “Holy shit, your eyes.”

  Dex ignored Seb and kept his gaze on Sloane and the smug smile now on his face. He knew the change in Dex’s eye color was his doing. Didn’t matter. It wouldn’t change what was going to happen. His mate was going down.

  “You boys going to stand around all day?” Dex balled his hands into fists at his sides, the orange wraps shifting against his skin.

  As expected, Seb charged first. Dex ducked beneath his right hook, spun, and slammed his hands into Seb’s back, sending him reeling forward. Dex lashed out, grabbed Hudson’s arm, and kicked his leg out from under him. He used his weight to flip Hudson over his shoulder and throw him onto the mat. Seb lunged at him, but Dex was quicker. Much quicker. He dropped and rolled out of the way, then popped up behind Seb and kicked at the back of his bad knee.

  Seb roared, and Dex smiled.

  That’s it, big guy. Get pissed. But don’t get sloppy.

  Seb snarled as he pushed through the pain and came after Dex, his Felid half shining through his green eyes. Dex ducked and dodged. He slapped Seb’s fists away from him. Movement from the corner of his eye caught his attention, and Dex brought both fists down against Seb’s arms, then came up with a fierce uppercut and a kick to the abdomen that sent Seb rolling across the mat. Then Dex spun and ducked under Hudson’s right hook, landing a punch against Hudson’s ribs that left him gasping for breath. Dex pulled Hudson’s leg out from under him and brought both fists down against Hudson’s back, slamming him down hard into the mat, knocking the wind out of him. Hudson inhaled sharply as he writhed in pain. A low growl rose through him, and when he tried to get up, Dex put his foot on Hudson’s back and pushed down.

  “You’re not even trying,” Dex growled.

  “Dex,” Seb warned.

  Dex stepped back and motioned for Seb to advance. “I’m not going to baby him, Seb. You want him to be prepared? You want him to survive out there? Then he has to learn.” Dex moved his gaze to Sloane, who was circling him, a barely there smile on his face.

  I haven’t forgotten about you, baby. Your turn will come.

  Hudson was still on the mat, his forehead pressed against it.

  “Get up, Hudson,” Dex demanded. “Get your ass up off that mat right now.”

  Seb and Hudson might have been sworn in and were officially TIN, but they were behind in their training. Sparks arranged for them to start their TIN Operative Training Program as soon as Dex and Sloane returned from their honeymoon. Since their recruitment, Seb and Hudson had been doing the same TIN Associate Training Program Dex and Sloane had been doing for months. The two had a hell of a lot to catch up on, and Dex felt for them; he did. Especially Hudson. As a medical examiner
, Hudson had never been put through the training as a THIRDS Defense agent, so he had the most to learn. Making him the most vulnerable. Not to mention the most hesitant. Hudson was a wolf Therian, and although he could be as fierce as any Felid, he was soft-hearted and tended to be a nurturer. Hudson was a logical thinker, which was great, but his new role with TIN required instinct and action.

  Dex wouldn’t go easy on them because they were his friends. His family. In fact, it was precisely for that reason he couldn’t go easy on them. Shit was about to get real, and he needed those he cared about to be prepared. If he had to be the one to push, to break them and help put them back together, then so be it.

  Hudson glared at him and sat back on his heels.

  Dex marched over, grabbed his arm, and hauled him to his feet. He thrust a finger in Hudson’s face. “I said get your ass up.”

  Hudson’s wolf Therian growled at him, his steel-blue eyes intense. Good. Hudson had a temper buried deep down behind all that sweetness and timidity, and Dex knew just how to expose it.

  Dex took a step back, his attention moving between Seb and Hudson. The two exchanged glances, and Dex grinned. Now we’re talking.

  The pair came at him at the same time, and Hudson even managed to land a hit, punching Dex across his jaw. Finally, they were getting somewhere. Dex maneuvered around Seb, making sure none of Seb’s punches landed. If they did, he wasn’t too worried. Not that he wanted to get punched in the face by a tiger Therian, but where it once might have broken his jaw, now he could take the hit and bounce back.

  “Why do you keep trying to punch me?” Dex asked Seb.

  Seb spun with a snarl. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “I’m talking about the fact you’re underestimating me, seeing me as a Human, as someone smaller and weaker than you that you can overpower. Your punching me is not going to knock me out.”