Bringing It Home (Code Of Honor Book 3)

by Reese Knightley

  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.

  “So, that’s how you do it?” he teased and climbed onto the couch.

  Twenty minutes later, Diesel entered the room looking showered and sexy in worn jeans and a black t-shirt.

  Diesel fed Molly and shortly after that, they sat down and ate as well. It was quiet, but it was a good kind of quiet, the kind where the bad guys had been beaten and the good guys had come out the winner this time around.

  He hoped it stayed that way.

  Triton

  “She’s going to be fine,” the vet said with a smile.

  Molly wagged her tail as if silently agreeing. Triton laughed and hugged her. They’d taken a quick trip into town.

  The vet assured them it was not an imposition to squeeze Molly in. He and his wife were both happy Molly was found safe and sound. Memphis sent over a snapshot of the tranquilizer that was stolen from the surplus store. Thankfully, they’d been out of large game darts.

  “Give her plenty of rest and make sure she takes it easy the next few days,” the vet said after several tests and checking her blood work.

  “Thanks, doc.” Diesel shook the man’s hand, and Triton led Molly out through the rain to the SUV.

  Reaching home, he curled up with a blanket on the couch. The rain continued as a small storm blew in, and Diesel started a fire when the outside grew gray.
Lightning flickered the lights and thunder followed shortly after.

  It felt odd living without fear. Sure, he feared that Auto and Clay would find him or worse, hurt Diesel, but for the first time since he’d left Clay, he didn’t fear for his immediate safety. He didn’t tense when there were footsteps in the house. He didn’t cringe when someone spoke.

  Triton found his eyes drawn to Diesel, where he relaxed on the other end of the couch. It had built-in recliners on each end, and Diesel had kicked one up to elevate his leg.

  Molly curled in a circle and was soon fast asleep on the rug in front of the fire. The past few days had worn the dog out.

  He dozed and it was only Molly’s collar clinking against her water bowl that woke him. A few hours must have passed because the fire was low and the rain had stopped.

  Stretching, he scooted around so he could lay on his stomach when a sound drew up his head. Finding himself examined by Diesel’s dark green gaze, Triton sat his chin on his folded arms.

  “Why do you think he tranqed Molly?” His teeth worried his bottom lip.

  “Nothing was disturbed at the house, so I suspect he wanted to lure us out so he could grab you.”

  He stared at Diesel. “He’s not going to stop.”

  “It won’t matter. I won’t let him take you.”

  The words sent something warm swirling in his belly.

  “I believe you.”

  “You should. I know these woods like the back of my own hand. There’s no place he can hide that I can’t find him.”

  “You come home a lot, don’t you?”

  “Every chance I get.”

  “You grew up here?”

  “Yeah, my brother and I went to Fern elementary, middle, and high school with Ted, Bill, Memphis, and a few others.”

  “Zane?” He smiled, remembering the big, broad shouldered younger brother of Diesel who’d come to the Triple R with the rest of Infinity.

  “Yep, the pesky little brother.”

  Triton smiled. “You love him, I can tell.”

  Diesel smirked. “Zane and Mike are the only family I have left.”

  “And you have your friends.”

  “Yeah, I have them.”

  “Does Zane live here with you when he’s home?”

  “No, he has his own place farther back in the woods. Zane is a loner.”

  “Is Zane gay?”

  “Straight.”

  “But accepting of you.”

  “Yes.”

  Triton picked at a loose thread on his jeans.

  “I can tell it’s a tight knit community. Everyone knows everyone. I love it.”

  “They like you.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Where are your parents?” Triton asked.

  “Dad was killed in a car accident when I was twelve, Zane was ten. Mom remarried, and we all lived with my stepdad, Tom, a few towns over.

  “Is Mike related to your mom or dad’s side?”

  “Neither.” Diesel smiled. “Mike is my step-cousin from Tom’s family.”

  “How long did you live at home?”

  “Until I joined the military at eighteen. Zane followed me two years later.”

  “When did you move back here?”

  Diesel stared at him for a long time.

  “I’m asking too many questions, aren’t I?” He bit at his lip.

  “No. I moved back here about fifteen years ago and bought this house.”

  He stayed silent, staring at Diesel.

  “Keep asking,” the older man rumbled.

  “Any step-siblings?” He returned Diesel’s smile.

  Diesel’s eyes grew empty, his mouth firm for a moment, and the smile he loved died. “A stepsister.”

  Triton’s curiosity grew, but at Diesel’s closed off expression, he didn’t dare ask.

  “How’s your mom?” He steered the topic to something that might be safer.

  “She passed from a heart attack about five years ago.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry.” He lifted a hand and covered his mouth.

  “Yeah, it was sudden.”

  “Does your stepfather still live close?”

  Diesel smiled. “No, but he’s happily remarried and lives in North Carolina last we talked.”

  “Wow, he moved from Oregon to North Carolina?”

  “Yeah, he has family there, and when mom died, he decided to head back home. I’m happy for him.”

  “What about your parents?” Diesel turned the tables on him.

  Triton blinked, and it was his turn for his smile to die. He drew a deep breath. It was only fair that he share.

  “I don’t know. Like I said, they kicked me out.” He didn’t have a clue what his parents were up to. Nor if they ever thought about him. He hoped not.

  “That’s the second time you said they kicked you out.”

  “So?” He tipped his chin, heart thudding.

  “So, tell me what happened.”

  He sat up and drew his knees to his chest. Chewing on his cheek, he sighed and picked at the hole in the knee of his jeans. A look that the jeans’ designer assured the consumer would look sexy. He wasn’t sure if he could pull off the sexiness of it all, but he hoped.

  He spotted the band around his wrist and snapped it.

  “What’s that?” Diesel frowned, looking at his arm.

  He held up his wrist. “Doc Vince said to snap this whenever I feel fidgety. Like when I want to crawl out of my skin or when I become worried.”

  “Which one is it now?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Triton. Do you trust me?”

  “Of course.”

  “Then quit lying to me. You can tell me anything. I’m not going to judge you.”

  How long would it take for the ugly things his parents had done to him and his feelings of worthlessness to fade? He swallowed past the lump in his throat.

  “It’s the crawl out of my skin kind,” he whispered, snapping the band again, and the sting brought him out of his head and away from the bad memories. “They called me trash. My father said he always knew I was going to be worthless.”

  “He was wrong.”

  “Yeah?” Tears welled in his eyes.

  “So incredibly wrong.”

  Diesel’s eyes flashed with anger on his behalf.

  “Who abused you?”

  Diesel disappeared among a blur of tears. “My dad. He was trying to beat the sissy out of me.”

  “Oh, baby,” Diesel murmured softly.

  The word sent a shimmer of warmth that helped to dry the tears. “It was a long time ago.”

  “Six years isn’t that long.”

  “It is when you’re only twenty-two.” Triton poked his tongue at the inside of his cheek, fighting back a smile.

  Diesel snorted. “Smart aleck.”

  Triton giggled.

  “So, any siblings?” Diesel thankfully guided the subject away from his parents.

  “Nope. Just me.” He gave a sad smile.

  Diesel nodded and studied him. “You have Maddox.”

  “Yep, my only cousin. His mom and my mom were sisters. They aren’t anything alike. Except they both married bad men.”

  “Sounds like it.”

  The silence grew, but it was comfortable. Triton glanced around the room. His gaze landed on the bookcase that filled one wall of the living room. Every kind of book he could imagine, ranging from how-to books to westerns, mysteries, and romance, filled the shelves.

  Diesel waved to the books. “Take your pick if you like to read.”

  Triton smiled and stood. He wandered over, running his fingers along the book spines, and selected a murder mystery.

  “Diesel, All my love, Shawn,” he read aloud from the dedication page and glanced up at Diesel.

  The man stared at him for a long moment.

  “Ex-boyfriend.”

  “He lived here?”

  “Mhmm. For a year.”

  “Wha
t happened?”

  “He took off.”

  “Oh, Diesel, I’m so sorry,” he finally managed.

  “Don’t be, it was for the best.”

  “Did he leave with another Dom?” he blurted. He couldn’t picture anyone leaving Diesel.

  “No, he ran off with my stepsister.”

  Surprise held him mute for a moment. So, that was the step sibling Diesel didn’t talk about. Oh my god, what a horrible thing to have happen.

  Diesel didn’t ask him why he’d asked about a Dom. In fact, the man turned his attention to a book from his side table and didn’t look back up.

  His disappointment grew. He wanted to talk about Doms and subs with Diesel, and more importantly, the kind of Dom that Diesel was. What drew the older man to the scene? He had so many questions, but he was certain Diesel didn’t want to talk about it, or at least, not with him.

  Diesel buried his face in his book. Triton’s heart hurt for the man. Such a loving man. He could see it in the way the gruff soldier cared for his friends, pets, and plants. He could see it in the tender way the man cared for him. Triton could feel it.

  Times like this, he imagined he was worthy of a man like Diesel. He’d never cheat if Diesel were his, ever.

  He wanted to belong to him, especially when Diesel looked at him with such intense focus. The look made his toes curl and his prick harden. He wanted nothing more than to climb in Diesel’s lap again and kiss him. He didn’t want the whole BDSM part, but he wanted to obey Diesel. He wanted to explore a relationship with Diesel to learn their likes and dislikes and discover what made him happy. If they wanted the same things, that would be a bonus. And if you don’t want the same things? He’d compromise. Wasn’t that what relationships were about? But did Diesel want that or even him?

  Or was he to continue being just a military buddy’s young cousin who got thrust on him because he’d done something stupid like show up without an invitation to the guy’s house? He wanted to ask if Diesel found him attractive, but instead, he laid the book aside and wandered over to feed the goldfish in the tank. They gathered at the top, sucking down small bits of food.

  Returning to the couch, he lifted the book, sank onto the cushions, and immersed himself in the story.