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Max shakes his head. "No. It was gone."
I blow out a breath. "My source tells me lots of the boys had stuffed animals in the warehouse basement. Many brought them from their home lives."
"You think Nolan has his sparrow with him?"
"I do."
Max leans in. "Thank you so much. I was convinced he was gone. My wife and I might have another shot at our marriage if you can bring him back."
I set my hand on Max's shoulder and stare into his eyes. It's moments like these that make the danger I face every day worth it. Whether I'm rescuing puppies in coal mines or helping parents find their lost children, I love doing it.
"We'll find your son." I say this as confidently as I can. "You'll be the first person I alert when we save him."
"I appreciate it so much."
I make a mental note to ask Wesley if he knew any boys with sparrow stuffies. I'll do it after Constantine's wedding this weekend.
22
UNNAMED BOY
Three days later
Wedding day.
I can't believe it's finally here.
"Oh my gosh, Daddy." I squeeze Benedetto's hand after we change into our tuxedos. "You looksooogood."
"You're the one who looks good, baby boy." Benedetto smooths out my dress shirt, then brushes a speck of lint from my shoulders. He looks me up and down, then rubs his belly. "Your pictures at the silly photo booth will be good enough to eat. I’ll need to put them on a cake."
I fight the urge to preen. "You’re my teddy bear." I hug him hard. "I couldn't be happier."
Benedetto tousles my hair. "Let's head to the ceremony, cutie pie. It'll start any minute."
Before we exit the door, I check Benedetto out in his tux one last time. His is identical to mine, black with little Louis Vuitton symbols on the collar. He must've purchased it before our shopping trip, but that makes it even more special.
I picked out the exact same one as him. We look like two rich teddy bears ready to take on the world.
"I can't get over how sexy you are." I shake my head in amusement as Benedetto leads me out of the house and toward the backyard. "My teddy bear in shining armor is such a damn Daddy."
Benedetto growls as he grabs a handful of my ass. "You're the sexy one, pretty boy." He rubs his hand up and down. "I don't know where I'd be without you."
I roll my eyes. Is this man serious?
"At your brother's wedding," I deadpan. I stare into his eyes. "Hopefully not anywhere else."
Benedetto palms his forehead. "That's not what I meant." He dusts my cheek with a kiss. "I meant, would I be at the bar drowning my sorrows in booze? Or at the snack table, binging on chocolate eclairs and Nana's signature cannoli? Instead, I get to experience this day with my partner. After the shit that went down with my ex-boyfriend, I can't believe this day has arrived."
"I'm so glad I’m here with you." Standing on my tiptoes, I press my lips against Daddy’s. "You're the best Daddy ever and a perfect date to this wedding. We'll have a wonderful time."
Benedetto tilts my chin up. "You can say that again." He nibbles my lower lip. "God, you make me want to strip out of this tuxedo and take you right here. Do you think Constantine would mind?"
"Wedding first." I shoot a stern look into Daddy's eyes. "Orgasms later."
Benedetto tightens his grip on my hand and leads me down the pathway to the backyard. I take in the gorgeous setup, the altar covered in flowers, the trays with food piled up high.
By a group of oak trees, I spot an old woman in a beautiful dress chewing out a man who must be her husband. I'm pretty sure that’s Benedetto's Nana, even though I don't say this out loud.
