“That’s too many,” Diesel growled. “That sketch Michael gave to your artist was online last night and on the TV news this morning. Brewer’s killer knows that someone saw him. Or he will as soon as he opens his computer or turns on the TV. What are you going to do to keep the kids safe? To keep Dani safe?”

Dani’s heart melted a little more. She and her foster sons were not Diesel’s responsibility. At least they shouldn’t have been. But Diesel had made them so.

Adam lifted a shoulder in fake nonchalance. “When a reporter assumed that George Garrett had given us the sketch, we might or might not have corrected him. When they asked us if we’d taken Michael into custody for the murder, we might have said, ‘No comment.’ Now all the reporters assume it was Garrett who saw the killer. The press still thinks Michael is a suspect in Brewer’s murder—a fact that was helped by his mother’s fifteen minutes of fame. Unfortunately, because of the mother, the press also knows that the kids went to foster care, so then we had to let them think we’d put him in protective custody in a safe house. Which is why you don’t have reporters camped on your front lawn, so you’re welcome for that.”

Dani looked at Diesel, saw that he was once again unsurprised. “What did their mother tell the press?”

Diesel’s jaw was so tight it was a wonder he didn’t break his teeth. “She got out on bail this morning. First thing she did was sell an interview to a gossip rag about how her son had killed her husband and abused her as well. She identified Michael by name, so now the various news outlets are replaying her words. Some claim that they can divulge the name of the minor because he’s already been exposed.”

Rage boiled from Dani’s gut to her throat. “Bitch. I hope I don’t meet her.”

Diesel wasn’t finished. “She also said that she was going to fight for her son.”

Dani scoffed. “By accusing him of lying when he reports abuse, starving him, and throwing bowls at his head?”

Diesel shook his head. “She meant she was going to fight for Joshua. To get him back.”

Dani felt a sudden calm. “Over my dead body.”

Adam frowned. “Don’t say things like that.”

Dani turned on him. “She will not take that baby back. I might not be able to keep them long term, but she will not get either of them back.”

“Ditto,” Diesel said grimly.

“Hey, I’m on your side,” Adam said. “I’m just preparing you. Right or wrong, judges will sometimes give the kids back to the biological parent.”

Dani nodded, still trembling with anger. “I know that, but thank you. Forewarned is forearmed.”

“Are the boys and Dani safe here, Adam?” Diesel asked.