Page 69 of Rescued

As I hang up, I watch Mika gather dog toys and lift Iko into his kennel. It’s a flurry of efficient movement, and as soon as I’m off the phone, we’re ready to go.

The drive to the hospital feels endless. My mind churns with questions and theories as Mika and I discuss the phone’s potential significance. There’s also the troubling fact that Kaufman either ignored it or didn’t think it was worth checking. Neither scenario paints a good picture of the sheriff.

“There’s a good chance the man is just an inept ass,” I point out, trying to consider all angles.

“I’d say that’s a given, whatever the case,” Mika grumbles. His jaw locks into place, his frustration clear. “He either did this and didn’t have the brains to cover his ass, or he didn’t do it and didn’t have the brains—or the desire—to gather all the evidence. The man is a fool.”

No argument here. I try to remember if there’s ever been a violent crime in Shasta that Kaufman would’ve had to handle. Something that might have given him even a shred of experience for dealing with a case like this. But nothing comes to mind. Domestic disputes, kids causing trouble, the occasional suicide—Shasta’s a quiet town. Maybe too quiet. Even the suicides have been rare.

So yeah, maybe Kaufman’s just an inexperienced idiot.

When we pull up to the hospital, Adam’s already waiting outside. He walks to the truck and hands the dead phone in through the window to Mika. I expect things to feel awkward after our earlier conversation, but Adam seems to have worked through any anger. That doesn’t mean he looks good, though. The man’s running on empty, his exhaustion written all over him.

He doesn’t need rest, I realize—he needs Todd to wake up. That’s the only thing that’s going to lift the defeated weight pressing down on his shoulders.

“Any change with Todd?” I ask, though I can guess the answer.

Adam shakes his head, his frustration palpable. “No. I wonder if…maybe it’s partially psychological? From the trauma of the attack?”

Mika looks at me thoughtfully. “Could be. It’s for damn sure the attack was traumatic.”

Adam and I both nod in agreement, the weight of it settling between us like a heavy fog.

“I just don’t know what to do to help him, encourage him to wake up,” Adam mutters, his voice heavy with frustration.

Mika grins, wicked and unapologetic. “Well, you could go the fairy tale route and try kissing Sleeping Beauty awake. Though his jaw might make that a bit tricky.”

Adam’s blush is immediate and intense, and I can’t help but smirk. Judging by that reaction, a peck on the lips hasn’t exactly worked yet. “Or,” I suggest, trying to ease Adam’s embarrassment, “you could try talking to him. Tell him about the two of you—what you want, how y’all could make it work. I honestly believe he can hear what’s going on around him.”

Adam looks flustered, his gaze darting to the hospital entrance as if he’s considering bolting. I decide to throw him a lifeline—or maybe just tease him a little more. “And if you really want to test if he’s listening, tell him what you’re gonna do for him when he wakes up. Or better yet, what you’ll do to him.” I waggle my eyebrows for effect. “Trust me, if he can hear you, that’ll get his attention.”

Adam’s face goes from red to scarlet, but his eyes light up with the faintest glimmer of amusement—and interest. I can tell he’s filing that idea away for later.

“Seriously, Adam,” I add, “it’s worth a shot. Mika’s pulled that whole ‘let me tell you what I’m going to do to you’ move, and let me tell you—it works.”

Adam shakes his head, laughing despite himself. “I, ah, see your point, guys. Damn. Okay, I’d better…” He jabs a thumb toward the hospital, clearly ready to make a quick escape. “Thanks for the advice.”

As Adam heads back inside, I nudge Mika with my elbow.“Damn, you think Adam’s in a hurry to get back to Todd? The man just set a new record for hauling ass while pretending to stay casual.”

I’m still laughing when Mika grabs my hand and presses it against his cock, grinding his hips.“I know just how the man feels, babe.”

The store isn’t particularly busy, but Mika and I still draw attention as we make our way through the aisles. Most of it is simple curiosity, but a few people glare at us with barely concealed distaste. I notice it, but I don’t let it bother me. Mika doesn’t seem to care either, his focus entirely on me, as always. As long as we’re together, nothing else matters.

I’m on a mission, scanning the wall of phone chargers for something that’ll work for Todd’s phone. Ideally, I want a car charger so we can start digging through the phone on the way back to the hospital, but atthis point, I’ll take whatever I can get. Mika stands nearby, silent but radiating support. I catch him grinning at me out of the corner of my eye, but I’m too focused to ask what’s so funny. The man’s just too sexy, biting his lower lip like that.

Finally, I let out a triumphant noise and yank the right charger off the rack, holding it up like I’ve just found the Holy Grail. “Got it! Let’s—” My voice falters as I glance at Mika. He’s looking at me with that heated, hungry gaze that makes my stomach flip and my cock twitch, like he wants to bend me over the display and fuck me right in the store. I can practically feel him undressing me with his eyes, and I’m not exactly subtle about staring back.

Mika’s eyes drop to my jeans, and I know he’s spotted the bulge pressing against the fabric.Damn it, my cock has zero sense of timing.

“We should, um, pay for this and go. Now,” I mumble, spinning on my heel and heading for the electronics cashier at full speed. Behind me, I hear Mika chuckle, his footsteps heavy and deliberate as he follows.

When we reach the counter, the clerk looks up, startled. His gaze bounces between me and Mika, and his expression shifts to something I can only describe as flabbergasted. Yup, that’s the perfect word, flabbergasted. I want to laugh at the poor guy, but I’m too busy trying to pretend I’m not seconds away from dragging Mika into the nearest secluded corner.

The clerk fumbles with the chargers, scanning them quickly before muttering the total. Mika doesn’t say a word, but I can feel the heat of his presence behind me, a constant reminder of the tension thrumming between us.

“Will…will that be, uh, all for you?” The clerk’s voice trembles like he’s afraid one of us is about to jump the counter and assault him. Mika bristles beside me, and I can practically feel his annoyance simmering. If he could speak his mind without starting a scene, he’d probably ask the guy if he really thought being gay meant we wanted to fuck every man in sight—ugly ones included. Spoiler alert: we wouldn’t touch this guy on a bad day, a bet, or a dare. Mika’s frustration radiates off him, but I shoot him a wink, letting him know I’ve got this.

I turn back to the clerk, smiling just enough to make him squirm. “I can assure you, that is certainly all for me.”

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