THIRDS Volume Three: Books 7-10 (The THIRDS Collection Book 3), page 1
THIRDS VOLUME THREE
BOOKS 7-10
CHARLIE COCHET
CONTENTS
THIRDS Universe Reading Order
Smoke & Mirrors
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Epilogue
Thick & Thin
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Darkest Hour Before Dawn
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Tried & True
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
Cast Members
Glossary
A Note From the Author
Also By Charlie Cochet
About the Author
THIRDS Volume Three: Books 7-10
Copyright © 2022 Charlie Cochet
Cover Art Copyright © 2022 Reese Dante, http://reesedante.com
Smoke & Mirrors
Second Edition Copyright © 2019 Charlie Cochet
Edits by Deniz Durand
Proofing by Susi Selva
First Edition Copyright © 2016 Charlie Cochet
Please note this novel contains scenes dealing with sensitive issues that may trigger some readers, including a torture scene.
Thick & Thin
Second Edition Copyright © 2019 Charlie Cochet
Edits by Deniz Durand
Proofing by Susi Selva
First Edition Copyright © 2017 Charlie Cochet
Darkest Hour Before Dawn
Second Edition Copyright © 2019 Charlie Cochet
Edits by Deniz Durand
Proofing by Susi Selva
First Edition Copyright © 2017 Charlie Cochet
Gummy Bears & Grenades
Second Edition Copyright © 2019 Charlie Cochet
Edits by Deniz Durand
Proofing by Susi Selva
First Edition Copyright © 2017 Charlie Cochet
Tried & True
Second Edition Copyright © 2019 Charlie Cochet
Edits by Deniz Durand
Proofing by Susi Selva
First Edition Copyright © 2017 Charlie Cochet
http://charliecochet.com
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of author imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Cover content is for illustrative purposes only. Any person depicted on the cover is a model.
Content Warning: Please note Smoke & Mirrors and Tried & True contains scenes depicting torture and trauma that may trigger some readers.
THIRDS UNIVERSE READING ORDER
ACTION. COMEDY. ROMANCE. AND THAT ONE WEIRD GUY.
Welcome to the THIRDS Universe!
THIRDS exists to uphold the law for Humans and Therians without prejudice. 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.
This series follows a timeline of events and an overall story arc. It should be read in order. Books 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9.5, and 10 feature the main couple Dex and Sloane, book 5 features Ash and Cael, book 6 features Calvin and Ethan, and book 9 features Seb and Hudson.
We also have the THIRDS Beyond the Books for those who finish the series and want to know more about their favorite characters through flash fiction stories.
The THIRDS Rebels series contain standalone books that can be read in any order but it’s recommended you read them after the THIRDS series as they may contain spoilers. This is where you’ll find books on your favorite side characters from the THIRDS like Austen and Zach, Angel and Taylor, Lou and Bradley, etc.
The TIN series is a spin-off of the THIRDS series and continues the adventures of Dex and Sloane.
THIRDS
Book 1 - Hell & High Water
Book 2 - Blood & Thunder
Book 3 - Rack & Ruin
Book 4 - Rise & Fall
Book 5 - Against the Grain
Book 6 - Catch a Tiger by the Tail
Book 7 - Smoke & Mirrors
Book 8 - Thick & Thin
Book 9 - Darkest Hour Before Dawn
Book 9.5 - Gummy Bears & Grenades (Dex’s Bachelor Party)
Book 10 - Tried & True
THIRDS Beyond the Books Vol 1
THIRDS Beyond the Books Vol 2
THIRDS Collection
THIRDS Volume One: Books 1-3 (The THIRDS Collection Book 1)
THIRDS Volume Two: Books 4-6 (The THIRDS Collection Book 2)
THIRDS Volume Three: Books 7-10 (The THIRDS Collection Book 3)
THIRDS Rebels
Book 1 - Love and Payne
TIN
Book 1 - Gone But Not Forgotten
Book 2 - Go Down in Flames
SMOKE & MIRRORS
SMOKE & MIRRORS
Life for Dexter J. Daley has never been easy, but he’s always found a way to pick himself back up with a smile on his face. Taken from his home, and the arms of his boyfriend and THIRDS partner, Sloane Brodie, Dex finds himself in a situation as mysterious and lethal as the Therian interrogating him. Dex learns what he’s secretly believed all along: his parents’ death wasn’t an accident.
Discovering the whole truth about John and Gina Daley’s homicide sets off a series of events that will change Dex and Sloane’s lives forever. As buried secrets rise to the surface and new truths are revealed, Dex and Sloane’s love for each other is put to the test, with more than their relationship on the line. If traversing the waters of murder and secret government agencies wasn’t enough, something inexplicable has been happening to Dex—and nothing will ever be the same.
ONE
Sound exploded in Dex’s ears. His head throbbed, and his face hurt. He tasted blood, and his body didn’t feel like his own as he struggled through the lethargy. His limbs felt heavy, like he was swimming in molasses. With a groan, he forced his eyes open. It was dark save for the halo of light floating somewhere above his head. Where was he? The last thing he remembered was Sloane’s strong arms around him, wrapping him up in warmth, holding him close. Sloane had nuzzled his face in Dex’s hair, then kissed him good night, followed by a soft “I love you.”
Sloane…
Dex bolted upright, a gasp caught in his throat as he surfaced through the haze. His eyes widened, and his heart beat furiously as he realized his wrists and ankles were zip-tied to a chair.
“What the hell is this?” He looked up and reeled from the stabbing white light. It seared his vision, and he shut his eyes tight for several seconds. A halo was all he could see before he was finally able to focus on the stretch of nothingness around him. Shadows surrounded him on all sides, the only light coming from the lamp hanging over his head. “Hello?” It struck him then.
They’d taken him from his home.
Oh God, where was Sloane? His blood ran cold, and he jerked against the restraints. “Somebody answer me!”
“You’re awake. Good.”
Dex froze. He peered into the shadows and could just about make out an outline, along with the glow of eyes. A Therian.
“Who are you? What is this?” Dex demanded, his voice hoarse from his dry throat. It was like his mouth was full of cotton. Most likely a result from whatever they’d given him to knock him out. He did his best to ignore the queasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. Someone had broken into his house and taken him from his boyfriend’s arms. He had no idea where Sloane was or the condition he was in. Was he hurt… or worse? Please let him be okay.
“I’ll be the one asking the questions here, Agent Daley.”
“Where’s Sloane?”
A tall wolf Therian in an expensive gray suit emerged from the shadows. “Looking for you, I imagine. I don’t really care. My interest lies with you, not Sloane Brodie.”
Dex had expected a thug or a raging psychopath. The Therian before him didn’t appear to be either, but appearances could be deceiving. Refined and handsome with a smooth, chiseled jaw and neatly styled rich black hair, he looked to be in his late thirties, maybe early forties. The Therian cocked his head to one side, his sharp gray eyes studying Dex. He seemed to come to some kind of conclusion and pulled a chair out from the darkness, placing it in front of Dex.
Dex studied his adversary, noting how nonchalantly he unbuttoned his tailored suit jacket and took a seat. He crossed one leg over the other and placed his laced fingers over one knee, as if he were about to have an informal business chat.
“Where is it?” he asked smoothly.
“Why do you spooks always start with such cryptic questions?” Dex frowned down at himself. “Why am I in a suit?” He was pretty sure he’d gone to bed in a T-shirt and pajama bottoms. The suit was tailored to fit. Everything from the black dress pants to the pristine white button-down shirt to the black jacket fit like a glove. Even his shoes hugged his feet comfortably. “How do you know my shoe size?”
“I know everything about you.”
Dex glanced around the room. There were no cameras or windows, nothing but the bare concrete floor and walls. “Why?”
“Where is the file?”
“Why the tie?” This was bizarre. Someone had painstakingly fixed a tie around his neck while he’d been unconscious. Who kidnapped people and dressed them up in fancy clothes?
“Answer the question.”
“How about we start small,” Dex offered. “What do I call you?” He needed to figure a way out of this. There had to be a door somewhere behind the Therian. The guy hadn’t just materialized out of thin air. Of course, first Dex would have to get himself out of the chair. It was steel and bolted to the floor.
“Don’t act cute with me, Agent Daley.” The wolf Therian smiled pleasantly. “And you can call me Mr. Wolf.”
Mr. Wolf. Right. “Now who’s being cute?”
Wolf chuckled. “I do appreciate a man with a good sense of humor. You’re very charming.” He looked Dex over and smiled warmly. “You’re taller than I imagined, and your photo hardly does you justice. You’re far more handsome in person.” He motioned to his own eyes. “Beautiful color. Absolutely stunning.”
Dex leaned forward, his lips curling up wickedly. “You trying to get information out of me or date me?”
Wolf chuckled. “I can see you’re going to be a handful. All right, Agent Daley—May I call you Dex? Agent seems so formal.”
“Sure.”
“Dex, your little ‘I’m just a ditzy blond’ act isn’t going to fly with me. I know perfectly well who you are and what you’re capable of.”
Dex sat back with a smile. “Do you now? FYI, I’m more of a dirty blond.”
Wolf arched an eyebrow at him. The man wasn’t quite sure what to make of Dex. Despite Wolf’s calm and nonthreatening demeanor, something in his eyes warned Dex to tread lightly.
Wolf cleared his throat before continuing. “Dexter Justice Daley, born August 18, 1980. Only child to Gina and John Daley. Adopted by Anthony Maddock. Adopted brother, Cael Maddock. You were an HPF officer before becoming a detective like your father before you. Then you testified against your partner for shooting an unarmed Therian youth in the back. Your boyfriend at the time, Louis Huerta, walked out on you.
“You were hired by the THIRDS and appointed a Defense agent for Unit Alpha’s Destructive Delta. Your team leader is Sloane Brodie, a First Gen jaguar Therian who spent the majority of his youth in the First Gen Research Facility being prodded and poked like a lab rat. You’ve been together for a year and roughly two and a half months. He had a few commitment issues to work out, but this month he moved in with you. He thinks you need to eat healthier, and he’s correct. You consume copious amounts of caffeine, sugar, and red meat, have a somewhat unusual obsession with the eighties, and enjoy karaoke. Have I left anything out?”
Who was this guy, and how did he know so much? Dex smiled widely. “Yeah, I love dancing, sadly can’t hold my liquor, and give great head.”
Wolf’s eyebrows shot up before his expression returned to its previous impassive state. He shifted in his chair, and Dex held back a grin. He could use this. Dex held Wolf’s gaze.
“Did you know I can make my boyfriend purr in Human form? And I don’t mean figuratively. I mean, I can literally make him purr.”
Wolf peered at him before brushing some nonexistent lint from his suit jacket. “Not possible.”
“Oh, but it is,” Dex replied, his voice low and husky. “I’m good with my mouth.”
Wolf smoothed down his tie before meeting Dex’s gaze. He carried on as if he hadn’t heard Dex. “I know you would risk everything for your loved ones. Your career, your heart, your life. You have a fierce sense of justice. I know at this very moment you’re considering your options and how you can get out of that chair. Those are Therian-strength zip ties, Dex. You won’t be going anywhere, and unlike most, I won’t underestimate you. You’re quite good at discovering your opponent’s vulnerabilities. Fortunately for me, I have none. I know you play the fool and act the class clown, hiding who you really are.”
Dex cocked his head to one side and smiled. “And who’s that?”
“A very dangerous man.”
Here he was tied to a chair, and he was dangerous? “That’s funny.”
Wolf stood and shoved his hands into his pockets. “It is funny because even you don’t realize it.” He leaned forward, his gaze holding Dex’s. “Others may not see it, but I do. There’s darkness lurking behind those pale-blue eyes. You never did quite recover from your parents’ murder.”
Dex opened his mouth to reply when the words sank in. His gut twisted. No. Absolutely not. “My parents weren’t murdered. They were killed in a shootout. Wrong place, wrong time.”
Wolf moved his chair closer to Dex and sat. “You didn’t believe it then, and you don’t believe it now. It may be what you were told, what you wanted to believe, but deep down inside, you know the truth you buried long ago.”
“What do you know about my parents?” Why was he asking? It wasn’t as if he could trust Wolf. For all he knew the guy was making shit up to rattle him, to make him talk.
“Do forgive me. I seem to have deviated from my intended path.” Wolf let out a pleasant laugh, as if he were conversing with a friend. “You’re very easy to talk to. Let’s try a different approach. Gina Daley was killed for interfering in business that was no concern of hers. Sadly, she dragged your father into it. I want the file she had in her possession the night she was killed.”
Dex closed his eyes, suddenly nauseated. He needed the room to stop spinning and his stomach to stop turning over. Wolf was right. Deep down, he’d always known, but this… this was just too much. All these years he’d tried denying the fact there might be more to his parents’ deaths than mere coincidence, but he’d never delved deeper. He’d been scared to. Afraid of what he’d find. To him, his parents had been two regular people who’d loved him very much and who’d been taken from him far too early in life. He’d wanted to preserve their memory. Dex opened his eyes and took a deep breath. There was no running from it now. He needed answers.
“It’s been almost thirty years. Why are you looking for this file now?”
“That information is inconsequential. I would very much like that file.”
