Claws in the Dark | ✔

XXIX

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Antonio sat on the hood of the truck, his knees to his chest and his hands tucked tightly between his legs and abdomen to keep them warm. He was still, looking onward in the direction Landon had left, patiently awaiting his return. Time had passed by slowly and there was no sign of anyone in the distance. His patience had turned into anxiety as he bit down on his bottom lip, dropped his legs over the side of the truck, jumped down, and started pacing.

Enrico got out of the vehicle and approached his son. "He'll come back, you know," he said. "I saw it in his eyes, the determination he had to make it through the mission and come back to you."

Antonio kept pacing, his bows furrowed as he didn't even register his father's presence nor words. Enrico placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him, and Antonio blinked out of his concentrated state to look at him.

"Huh? What?" he asked, confused. "Sorry, papa, I wasn't listening."

"I'm just saying that it doesn't help if you worry over Landon," Enrico replied. "He's perfectly capable of handling himself."

"I know that. But it's what that kid, Nelson, said about Isaac." Antonio leaned against the hood.

"You're worried he might cause Landon's death in some way?" Enrico asked, folding his arms across his chest. When Antonio didn't reply, he continued, "Listen, mi hijo, if Landon can handle himself, I'm sure he can adjust if someone else endangers him. After all, he is a detective. That kid's parents weren't, so that's why they met their demise."

His father frowned. "But you really looked deep in though for that to be the only thing bothering you. What else is there on your mind?"

A strong breeze blew by, howling as it carried the lightly falling snow with it, and caused some of the broken vehicles to creak.

Antonio sighed. "It's his partner, Dolph," he replied.

"Oh, him? He's an okay guy," his father said with a smile. Antonio shot him a look, and Enrico's smile faded. "What about him, though?"

"Well, I don't know what going on, but I think Landon likes him, too. And if they reunite at the hospital, then the chances are that I'll end up alone again."

"Oh," Enrico said. He rubbed his hands together and took a deep breath as he sat on the hood next to his son. "Neo, sometimes, that's what happens in a relationship. People come and people go."

"Yeah, but I actually thought we had a shot this time."

"Maybe you still do. You don't know for certain that Landon and Dolph will end up together."