Page 16 of Broken Wheels
He helped Doc into bed, drew the covers up to his chin, then took a seat beside him.
“Is there anything you need?”
Doc sighed. “Can you call my parents and let them know? I’m sure it’ll be on the news, and if they hear my name, they’ll freak out. Gary has the number.”
“Of course.” He flicked off the light, plunging the room into near total darkness. “Get some rest, Doc.”
As he reached the door, Dix heard Doc’s soft sobs, and an icy knot formed in his stomach.
Someone tried to kill Doc, of this Dix was certain. He wasn’t sure yet what mess Doc had gotten mixed up in, but he promised himself he’d find out.
And keep Doc safe in the process.
The mood had changed by the time he walked into the office. Gary’s eyes were troubled, but there was a storm brewing, judging by Michael’s expression.
Michael slammed a hand down on his desk, the muscles in his neck cording.
“Of all the stupid things he could have done?—”
“I’m sure Josh feels bad enough,” Gary remonstrated. “I’m thankful you saved this explosion until he’d left the room.”
“He could have died!” Michael yelled, his face mottled. “Swear to God, he might well be the smartest man I know, but sometimes he’s so fucking stupid.”
Gary didn’t respond, and Dix was done watching from the sideline.
“Don’t come down on him,” he said. “I already did that, and I think I broke him.”
The haunted look on Doc’s face would forever be a regret Dix would have to live with.
His words mollified Michael a little.
Dix helped himself to more coffee. He didn’t think they’d mind in the circumstances. He leaned against the countertop, nursing his refilled cup. “He’s right, isn’t he? Someone tried to kill him. Or we assume he was the target. I have no idea. Maybe it was this Tanner guy. Or, if what Tanner’s email said was right, someone is systematically killing people Doc used to work for.”
Michael arched one eyebrow. “Doc?”
Dix stuck his chin out. “Yeah, that’s what I said. He gave me permission to call him that, so fuck off.”
Michael snorted. “That wasn’t me being disrespectful. You just surprised me, that’s all. Josh doesn’t much go in for nicknames since he’s been working to shed the whole Wheels one. It’s cool, though.” He rested his elbows on the desk, his fingers laced together. “So what do we do?”
That was a damn fine question. “We could keep him locked up here.”
Gary shook his head, and Dix could see the strain. He wondered if Gary was still taking pain meds.
“You doin’ okay, boss?” Dix asked, then winced as the accent he usually tried so hard to keep under control slipped out.
I should’ve stayed up there with Doc. I should’ve just crawled in bed with him.
Of course, neither of them would have gotten any sleep.
“Good days and bad, you know how it goes,” Gary answered. He glanced at Michael. “At least I have someone watching out for me.”
“Always.” Michael smiled at Gary.
Their soft voices and warm glances were another reminder of Dix’s most recent discovery.
I want what they have.
Dix wanted someone he could take care of, someone who’d love a grumpy fucker like him, even on the days he acted like an asshole, which was more often than he cared to admit.