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“If I hadn’t followed protocol we’d both be dead,” I growled.
“When I find out otherwise, you’re done.”
I closed my eyes and refrained from punching the tiled wall or opening the door and punching him in the face. His assertions I did the wrong thing by Cassano weren't warranted. Never mind I’d saved a dog too.
“Anything else,Captain?”
“Yeah. You’re suspended without pay for a week.”
I slammed the door open. “What?”
My shout drew the attention of the other guys in the bathroom.
“You heard me. After you’ve showered, go home.”
“You can’t—”
“Already have.”
I hit the wall. Pain radiated from my knuckles up my arm. Captain knew how devoted I was to the station; I did what was necessary to protect our own and the people of this city. Sometimes that meant breaking protocol because sometimes protocol didn’t make a damn bit of sense.
If he’d expected me to leave that dog to die, maybe the job I’d sacrificed everything for was the wrong one for me.
I yanked my towel off the door and roughly dried off. When I stepped out of the shower with it tucked around my waist, four of my brothers-in-arms were waiting.
“It’s total bullshit,” Walsh said.
I grunted my agreement.
“You saved Cassano’s ass and that’s the thanks you get?” Rivera chimed in. “That ain’t right.”
“Yo.” Burke slapped my shoulder. “You good for the week?”
I swallowed hard. He had three kids and another on the way. It took every penny he made to get by, yet he was willing to help me out financially if I needed it.
“I’m good,” I said gruffly.
“Nobody’s going to miss your sorry ass.” Burke grinned. “It’ll be nice to have a week off from your cooking.”
“I’m a damn good cook, and you know it.” I pointed at him, some of the tension inside loosening.
These guys had my back. They were the ones who mattered. Captain might have rank, but that didn’t mean he automatically had our respect.
“Dr. Lyons.”
“How’s the greyhound from the fire?” I was parked near the station, drumming my fingers of one hand on the steering wheel while holding my phone in the other.
“She had severe smoke inhalation. I’m keeping her overnight, but she should be good tomorrow,” the veterinarian said matter-of-factly before her tone softened. “She’s a tough girl, and she’ll be in good hands.”
I furrowed my brow. “Did someone claim her?” Once we’d extinguished the fire, we’d found two people inside who’d passed away. Not that it helped, but upon initial examination, it appeared they were already deceased when we’d arrived.
According to neighbors, the couple and their dog were the only residents of the townhome.
“No. I contacted Grey Paws. They normally rescue greyhounds who were abandoned by their owners once they can no longer race, but they’ll do anything for a dog in need.”
Grey Paws? Grey Paws? Why did that sound familiar?
At least the poor girl would have somewhere to go, though the thought of her in a shelter didn’t sit well with me. She’d not only almost died, but she’d lost the people she loved. That had to be traumatic.
