Clay shifted, taking another step back, and a few of his thugs stepped forward.
“Well, I’m sorry to hear that.” Clay’s expression turned pure evil. “I’m sure your friends will be sorry too.”
“What the fuck did you say?” Diesel snapped. “Did you just threaten him?”
“You’re hearing things. All I said was I’m sorry it has to be this way,” Clay snapped, glared at him and then Triton, before he turned around and walked away. The ten thugs with the guy got into the vehicles and left in a trail of dust.
“Fucker,” Diesel snarled.
“It’s okay, he probably won’t come back.” Triton’s voice wobbled and the boy laid a soft hand on his arm. Fingers squeezed for a brief second and then dropped away. He missed the touch immediately.
Triton’s face looked closed off again, like it had when he’d first arrived. Diesel wanted to kill something. He ground his teeth.
“I’m calling the sheriff and reporting him,” Bull said, stomping into the house.
“It won’t do any good, Bull. Clay is the sheriff’s nephew, remember?” Triton said, reminding Bull, and hurried after the older man back into the house. “It’ll only bring trouble, please, Bull.” Triton’s voice faded as he followed Bull.
“Has the sheriff been called about this before?” he asked Jim, who stood on the steps
“Yup.” Jim spat in the dirt and continued aiming his shotgun until the last truck disappeared.
Diesel eased down onto one of the wide chairs that lined the front porch and laid the rifle across his lap. He slowly stretched his leg out.
“Have you seen any bruises on Triton?”
“I haven’t, but I’ve seen the way he moves gingerly and skittish as all hell, like that bastard hurt him.”
“Fuck,” Diesel muttered.
“I doubt he’ll be back. That’s the first time he’s come out here. Bull will talk to the sheriff, even if it is his kin. That guy ain’t nothin’ but a bad fuckin’ seed.”
“So I gather.” He rubbed at his chin. “Make sure you keep your rifle loaded.”
Jim nodded, touched the brim of his hat, and wandered into the house.
Diesel eased upright and followed, determined to talk through any trauma Triton may be suffering from that asshole’s visit.
Diesel
Diesel rubbed at his thigh. The physical therapist that had come the past few days was already helping him. He studied the silent boy tucked into the edge of the couch, eyes glued on the television. Getting Triton to talk was slow going and Diesel hadn’t gotten anywhere yet. With time, he knew Triton would open up. It was in the boy’s nature.
His pocket vibrated and he pulled out his cell. Shit. Mike’s name flashed.
“Hey, Mike, what’s up?”
Triton’s head snapped around and those bright blue eyes locked on him. He winked and gave Triton a reassuring smile that died with Mike’s next words.
“Diesel? David was in a car accident yesterday. He was rear ended, I spent the night with him in the hospital.”
His cousin’s frantic voice brought him to his feet. Balancing on one leg, he gratefully took the crutch Triton handed him. “Is he okay?” He limped toward the wide window that graced the main living room wall.
“Yes, thank god.” Mike gave a shaky sigh. “They did surgery on his leg and are going to keep him a few days. His mom is coming to stay with Jake. I asked her to take care of Molly and stop by your place and feed Cedar for you, but I don’t know how many days she can do that since she’ll have the baby.”
“Mike, fuck. You need me there?”
“I…can you?” Mike’s half-sob came through the phone.
“I’m on my way.”
He ended the call and closed his eyes tightly. Blowing out a breath, he turned.
The look on Triton’s face was fucking killing him.
“Triton…”
“I’ll help you pack,” Triton said, and hurried from the room and down the hallway.
Diesel followed slowly. By the time he reached the room, Triton had his luggage on the bed and was folding his clothing from the closet.
“I don’t need to leave this second.”
“You don’t?” Triton’s eyes were wide.
“No, I’ll leave at first light in the morning.”
“Right.” Triton nodded and finished packing. His bags were packed in no time and Triton was slipping past him, pulling the rollaway to leave it near the front door.
Dinner was quiet, the food was good, Diesel was sure, but every bite tasted like sawdust.
“Come back and see us when you get a chance, Diesel,” Bull said.
“I will, and thank you for the hospitality, Bull. I really appreciate it.”
“Bah, ain’t no problem,” Bull replied, and a smile crinkled his face. “I sent Jim a text and told him to get the car ready early in the morning.” Bull gripped his hand hard and then pulled him into a hug.
The house grew quiet after that and Diesel lay on his bed tossing and turning through the night. Just before first light, he made his way into the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. Once it was done, he stood sipping at a cup as the dawn approached. He had a plane to catch.
A sound at the doorway drew his gaze and he found Triton there, barefoot, in blue jeans and one of his t-shirts.
“Jim’s out front,” Triton whispered.
“I best be getting then,” he said gruffly.
“Be sure to rest your leg as much as you work on it,” Triton said woodenly, following him out onto the front porch.
“I will,” he croaked, unsure of what to say.
The brave way Triton kept the tears from falling nearly broke him in two.
I’m not anyone to cry over, he wanted to say, but didn’t.
“Look, if I didn’t have a family emergency, I’d stay for the full two weeks.”
“I know.” Triton’s lip trembled. “It’s okay. I’m praying for a speedy recovery for your cousin’s husband.”
“Thank you.” He couldn’t seem to move.
“Be happy, Diesel.” Triton’s eyes stood bright with tears.
Lifting the phone from Triton’s fingers, Diesel punched in his phone number and home address.
He stared down into those fucking killer blue eyes and said the last thing he expected. “If you need a place, ever, you have my address.”
Triton clutched the phone to his chest like it was a lifeline. One tear slipped down his soft cheek and god help him, Diesel lifted his fingers and wiped it away.
“Take care of yourself and stop lying to Maddox. Remember, you’re better than that asshole, Clay. Don’t let anyone ever hit you.”
Triton stared at him mutely.
“I mean it, Triton. You deserve much better than that.”
Triton nodded wordlessly and then glanced away.
He could see Triton didn’t believe it. Fuck. Shit couldn’t get any worse. He wanted to cup the boy’s cheek and demand he give his word, but it wasn’t his place. Triton wasn’t his responsibility.
He forced himself to back away. Triton wasn’t his. The boy was going to make someone a fine partner, but it wasn’t going to be him. He’d opened his heart once to a man too young for him, and he couldn’t afford it again. Triton had some serious growing up to do.