“Your dad helped,” she told him. Jeremy and Keith had been the first of Diesel’s family to burst into the ER. They’d been on the way from their home to the west side, where Stone was still hospitalized, but veered off the highway in much the same way Agent Troy had, detouring to make sure that Diesel was all right. “Jeremy saw one of his former colleagues walking through the ER and flagged him down. I asked him about removing bullets and he asked to see Diesel’s X-ray.” She arched a brow at Diesel. “And then Mr. Kennedy here admitted to the surgeon that Jeremy said the same thing years ago. Diesel’s just been too . . . ‘busy’ to have it done.”

Marcus’s smile turned to a scowl. “If you weren’t hurt, I’d hurt you myself. Why didn’t Dad insist?”

“Because Diesel is a ‘grown-up.’” Dani used air quotes. “His wishes had to be respected and your dad also respected his confidentiality. But I’m not that nice, so I’m making him do it.” She glared at Diesel. “Because we’ve got kids now.”

Diesel’s cheeks heated. “I hate it when you’re right,” he mumbled, then brightened at the sight of a wheelchair being pushed toward them. “Hey, look, the chair is here.”

Dani snorted, but kissed the top of his head, which was now covered in chocolate brown fuzz, still a little prickly against her lips. His hair would be so pretty if he grew it out. But that would be his call. The only thing she wasn’t budging on was that damn bullet next to his heart.

Because that heart belonged to her now. He’d made it so the moment he’d told her he loved her. She wanted to shout it to whoever would listen, but remained content to be quietly happy as she walked alongside Diesel’s wheelchair.

When they got outside, he drew a deep breath, immediately and visibly calmer.

Dani nodded to the nurse who’d pushed the chair. “We’ll take it from here.”

“I’ll go get the car,” Marcus said. “Sit tight.”

“Wait,” Diesel said and Marcus turned to him, concerned.

“Are you okay?” he demanded. “Do you need to go back in there?”

“Yeah,” Diesel said. “But not like you think.” He looked up at Dani. “I want to see him.”

Scarlett frowned. “Why?”

But Dani understood. “Nothing against law enforcement, Scar. But I think we need to see him with our own eyes. I went in the ambulance with Jenny and Adam went with Diesel. We didn’t see Kaiser delivered to the hospital. We need to see him here.” She squeezed Diesel’s shoulder. “Because we’re going to pick up Joshua and Michael from the condo and take them home. I want to look them in the eye and say, ‘Yes, Kaiser is handcuffed to a hospital bed and he can’t ever hurt you again.’”