When it was necessary, he tuned out his empathy, compartmentalized, and remembered that those who sat in his chair had lost their humanity, had become unworthy of compassion when they victimized others. When he thought about the heinous things they had done, he didn't see people; he saw monsters hiding under human skin.
But he did feel satisfaction that those animals had suffered, that he had exacted revenge for the torment they inflicted on their victims. And this time, that satisfaction felt more profound because he had avenged people he knew and cared about.
The "interrogation" had been an effective outlet for his wrath over Tristan's abduction and attempted trafficking. The fury had clawed inside him like a monster itself, begging for a target, demanding to be unleashed on the people who had made Tristan and Natalie suffer.
Appeasing the monster, freeing it, had been a relief.
And now that it was done, the rage had faded, and he was ready to put it all behind him, to move forward.
All that was left was to find out if Tristan still wanted him, could accept him and his job and all that came with it.
Looking down at the man in question, Cade's heart squeezed a bit. Tristan looked so pale and weary that Cade wanted to carry him off to some quiet, secluded place where he could rest, safe in Cade's arms. But that would have to wait, because he needed to get him back to Natalie and then to a hospital.
WhenTristan took Cade's outstretched hand and rose to his feet, he swayed precariously.
"Whoa, are you okay?" Cade asked as he steadied him.
"Just a little dizzy."
Despite Taylor's assessment, Cade's anxiety over the possibility of a serious injury returned. He studied Tristan's eyes, searching for obvious signs of concussion, but got distracted by the tenderness there. Pure wonder crowded out the worry, and he marveled that anyone could look at him like that, like he was special and somehow worthy.
Unable to resist the impulse, he skimmed his knuckles across a stubbled cheek and leaned down for a gentle kiss that Tristan melted into. Cade lost himself for a moment, feeling that Tristan's lips were softer and his sighs sweeter than he remembered. Or maybe, he just appreciated them more now.
When Tag called to them from the front door, pulling him back to reality, Cade eased back reluctantly and watched Tristan's eyes flutter open, still a bit hazy and unfocused. It could be from the kiss, he supposed, but because it could also be from a concussion, concern resurged.
"I still want to get you checked out."
Blinking a few times, Tristan mumbled his agreement, which Cade considered a small victory. Taking Tristan's hand, Cade led him outside, where they found Tag leaning against a white car in the driveway.
Cade asked, "Did you call the cleaner?"
"Yeah, he's on his way."
Tag climbed into the driver's seat, and Cade opened the car door withone hand while the other guided Tristan into the back seat. The redhead stumbled again, causing Cade another bout of panic.
"What the fuck?"
"I told you, I'm a little dizzy."
Cade's fear was back, making his heart race. "I'm taking you to a hospital. Your head injury could be worse than Taylor thought. It might be a brain bleed."
"I don't have a brain bleed," was the huffy reply.
Cade rounded the car and got in beside the reluctant patient, insisting hotly, "You could, so I'm going to get you checked."
Tristan wrinkled his nose, but it didn't have any energy behind it, giving Cade another reason to be concerned.
"Fine. But I want to see Natalie first."
He stared Tristan down, hoping to intimidate him into submission, but the redhead, weak as he was, held his own until Cade relented.
"Fine, but not for long, then the hospital," he grumbled, recognizing yet again that he was incapable of saying no to this man.
In response, he got an angelic smile and a teasing, "Are you worried about me?"
"I didn't rescue you just to have you drop dead," he muttered as he caught Tag's smirk in the rearview mirror. Jesus, this asshole was insufferable, never missing a chance to dish out shit or knock him down a peg. Cade scowled darkly and narrowed his eyes, silently warning Tag to keep his mouth shut. Not that that usually worked.
"Aww, you do care," Tristan cooed.
