Page 48 of Carmine

“Dhalia, and we were till I found her checking out engagement rings and leaving wedding magazines about. Three fuckin’ months and the bitch expected to get a ring.” Bobby looked scandalised.

Highly amused now, I laughed at him. Bobby was thoroughly put out.

“Guess Dhalia wasn’t your one,” Lex said with a wicked grin.

“Not likely. The idiot only ever ate salad. I take a woman out for a meal, I want her to eat a proper meal. Not rabbit food,” Bobby growled out.

“Dude, I love taking Vivie out. She doesn’t give a fuck what people say. Vivie eats what she wants and enjoys every bite,” Lex agreed.

“Molly is the same, although she’s more difficult.”

“How come?” Lex asked.

“Her parents and school taught Molly to eat what was put in front of her. First time we went for a meal, I asked what she liked. Molly had no idea. Took a while for her to figure out some foods she enjoyed,” I replied.

“Jesus, they need a beat down. Who does that to a kid?” Bobby commented, wrinkling his nose in disgust.

“Yeah, whenever Molly eats, I’m making her consider whether she enjoys it or is eating for sustenance. It’s a battle,” I added.

“What a load of crap,” Savage growled out. “Grace was like that, just grateful to eat. But I’ve figured her and the girls out now.”

“There’s somebody out there for you, Bobby,” Lex said, clapping him on the shoulder.

“Yeah. I don’t want much. It would be great to have someone drama-free, unlike your old ladies. But you fuckers keep snapping them up as soon as they appear. How long was Molly around before you snatched her up?” Bobby asked me.

I laughed. “Actually, dude, Molly was here three years, and we all missed her. But the day I met her, I sensed Molly was mine.”

“Shit, you are telling me Molly was around for years? Carmine, respect to your mom and dad, but fuck off,” Bobby griped. It would have annoyed me, but I saw the wink he sent Lex.

“You’re old, man. Molly likes someone with stamina,” I teased, and Bobby stiffened with offence. The rest of us laughed.

“Hey, you got an age gap there? Molly looks younger than you,” Savage asked.

“Molly’s five years older, dude,” I replied.

“Wow, cougar!” Lex exclaimed, but I ignored him as the dog barked.

I turned to the handler. “Got something?”

“Tia’s picking up a scent,” he answered as he allowed the canine to lead the way. We followed, coming dangerously close to the still-flowing lava.

“Dude, take Tia back. We’ll look around the area. This is too dangerous for her here. We’ll meet at that broken rock and tree,” Gunner ordered the handler.

“Yeah. I’m getting Tia out of here,” the handler agreed.

“Anyone here? Search and Rescue, call out!” Gunner bellowed as we spread out.

The heat was intense, urging us to leave quickly.

We all started shouting and taking pauses. After a few minutes, I began to wonder if Tia had led us astray when Bobby yelled. We headed in his direction and found a guy lying curled up. He looked burned on his legs and was barely conscious.

“Are you here with friends?” Gunner asked as we gave him a drink.

“No. I was coming back and fell and hurt my ankle, I’ve been crawling to avoid the flow. It’s surreal I’m running from lava,” he gasped.

“Can you walk at all?” Gunner inquired, looking around. We’d need a stretcher to carry him out. The man shook his head.

Bobby pulled out the collapsible stretcher, and we quickly built it and rolled the guy onto it.

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