Sometime before daybreak, he woke with Triton still in his arms.
“Triton,” he whispered against the sleeping boy’s temple.
The automatic coffee maker flipped on and the smell drifted on the air.
Triton’s head lifted, and his lips tried to smile, but he could see the worry in his eyes.
His own eyes burned from lack of sleep.
“Come on, Memphis and the boys are probably here. They’re going to help us look.”
Triton sat up and hurried into his bedroom. Diesel made his way back into the kitchen and filled his thermos full of coffee and added creamer. They both drank their coffee the same way, so he could share with Triton.
Making his way into the study, he shrugged on his shoulder harness and slapped the clip into his Glock with a crack before sliding it into the holster. He strapped back on his knee brace and pulled his pant leg down.
He met Triton in the hallway.
“Where do you keep that?” Triton’s wide eyes went to the weapon in his hand.
“Come here.” He jerked his head back toward the study. “Here’s the key to the gun cabinet.” He opened the top drawer to his desk and removed a key before walking over to unlock the cabinet against the wall. “I keep it locked.” He reached in and selected a twenty-two pistol to show Triton. “This one is loaded. If you need to get to it, lock the study door when you come in here. That will give you enough time to get this weapon. If you use this, you shoot to kill. You hear me?”
Wide eyes looked up at him and Triton nodded slowly.
Diesel tucked the weapon away, relocked the cabinet, and stowed the key away.
“Now, let’s go bring Molly home,” he said softly.
Memphis was standing out in front of his house talking to the man he’d put on guard last night.
“Morning, you two,” Memphis said when they drew closer. “It should be full on daylight in twenty minutes or so. I’ve rounded up the crew. If she’s still alive, we’ll find her.”
His heart lurched. All he could do was hope she was still breathing. If she was alive, then there was hope. He clenched his teeth. A soft hand slipped into his. He drew in a deep breath and gently squeezed Triton’s hand. Heading toward the main path, he led them into the woods behind his house.
One thing was for certain, if anything happened to Molly, he was coming for blood.
If anything were to happen to Triton? Well, they wouldn’t be able to find the bodies of Auto or Clay to even throw a fucking funeral.
Triton
“Molly!”
Taking the main path into the woods, he called out.
Diesel did the same and alternated with a whistle.
“Come on, this way.” Diesel linked their fingers and drew him down another pathway.
Being with Diesel, even if it was under such dire circumstances, made life more exciting. Triton could honestly say he looked forward to each day.
Now, if they could only get Molly back and arrest Auto and Clay.
The police and neighbors combed through the deer trails and rugged underbrush searching for any signs of the dog. Each neighbor was paired with law enforcement in the event they came across Auto.
The sun moved higher into the sky and spread some much needed sunshine over the area. Just before noon, Diesel started favoring his leg very slightly.
“I need a sip of that coffee,” Triton said, because it was the only way he could get Diesel to stop and rest.
Diesel sat on a nearby log, stretched out his leg, and drew out the thermos.
“Have your brace on?”
“I do.” Diesel’s eyes glittered in the morning light.
Triton smiled and perched on the log. He took a few sips of the creamy hot brew. They didn’t talk. Not because he didn’t have things to say, but the worry was eating at him.
“Will we keep searching tonight if we can’t find her?” He stared into the coffee cup.
“Until dark, yes,” Diesel said quietly.
Tears formed at the edges of his eyes and he lifted a hand to dash at them.
Diesel’s large palm caressed his shoulder in a firm grip.
The distant sound of a buzz came through on Diesel’s phone.
“Memphis?” Diesel answered.
Triton’s eyes were locked on Diesel’s face.
“Where?” Diesel shoved up from the log, and Triton sprang upward to stand close. His heart climbed into his throat, and he tossed the coffee and capped the thermos.
For a brief second, Diesel closed his eyes and then snapped them open to land back on him. The light of happiness in Diesel’s green gaze generated a scorching heat of gladness in his own heart.
“Yeah, let her go.” Diesel hung up the phone and then let out a shrill whistle.
“They found her in Jenson’s fishing shack. She was chained up inside. She couldn’t get to me,” Diesel choked out and Triton threw his arms around Diesel and squeezed him tight.
“Oh, thank god!” The tears he’d held back filled his eyes, and he drew back to dash at the cold wetness trailing down his cheeks.
Molly’s bark came from a distance and he spun to see her charging toward them. He stepped aside so she could get to Diesel.
And then she was there, all wiggles and whines. Her glossy coat was matted with mud, but she was the most beautiful sight on earth, and he cried harder when she turned on him after she was done with Diesel and slathered him with her tongue.
“Oh, Molly!” He sank to his knees and buried his face in her muddy fur.
A crunching of footsteps brought his head up. Memphis and Ted came walking toward them. Triton struggled to his feet. Diesel’s arm slipped around his shoulders, and Triton drew in a deep, happy breath that ended on a hiccup.
Memphis shook Diesel’s hand and patted Molly and then headed out.
Ted held up his cell phone. “Everyone has been alerted and is heading home.”
“Thank you, Ted.” Diesel gripped his friend’s hand.
“Our pleasure,” Ted said, scratching the top of Molly’s head. “She’s like family. I say we plan a get together at Tauber’s Pool Hall tomorrow night.”
“Any excuse for a party.” Diesel’s tone sounded teasing.
Ted smirked. “Miles wants to see Triton.”
“Tell him we’ll be there,” Triton replied, his lips stretching into a smile.
Ted took off after they reached the main road.
With his fingers linked in Diesel’s, they reached the house with a happy looking Molly.
His nose wrinkled at the smell of fish coming from Molly’s coat. “She needs a bath.”
“I’ll wash her in my shower,” Diesel rumbled after Molly lapped up a whole bowl of water once inside the back door. “Come on, girl.”
Triton laughed. “That sounds like a plan. I’ll meet you both in the living room.”
He snatched up clean clothes and showered in record time before making his way into the kitchen. He tossed together a simple casserole and popped it into the oven just as he heard Molly’s toenails clicking on the floor. She bounded into the room and shook her wet fur, showering water everywhere.
He laughed and combed his fingers through her damp hair. She turned and raced into the living room. Once there, she flipped onto her back and rubbed on the carpet before flipping over and rubbing her muzzle and ears.