The woman’s lips curved slightly as she climbed into the car, her arms reaching for the baby that Marcus held. Once her child was safely in her arms, she turned to Diesel. “Dani says for you to stay the hell put and that she is fine.” She sighed wearily. “There’s a guy down there and she’s taking care of him. He’s been in and out of consciousness since Kaiser stuck me in there. I don’t even know how long ago that was.”

It took Diesel a moment. “It’s Wednesday morning and he escaped with you on Monday morning, so two days. Do you know who the guy is?”

“Andrew McNab. He came to enough to tell me that.”

“Oh, good,” Diesel breathed out. The interpreter wasn’t dead. “And how are you?”

“Unhurt. Just . . . tired. I’m so tired.”

“Join the club,” Diesel said and she laughed wearily.

“Dani said that you found me. That you found this place. Thank you.” Her voice broke. “Thank you so much.”

Diesel gave her a nod, then they both lapsed into silence until several police cruisers and two ambulances arrived. The first ambulance took Evelyn and her baby. Paramedics raced from the second, carrying a stretcher into the basement.

Minutes later they reappeared, a man strapped to the stretcher, followed by Dani. She stopped at the ambulance to talk to the paramedics, then stepped back when they drove away, siren screeching.

She dropped into the seat Evelyn had just vacated. “Andrew the interpreter.”

“Will he be okay?” Diesel asked.

“I think so. He came out of it for a few minutes and the first thing he asked was if Michael was okay.” She settled in the seat so that she was looking at him. “I don’t know how much longer he would have lasted. He’s got some internal bleeding and he’s terribly dehydrated. So thank you, Diesel Kennedy.”

He took her hand and kissed it. “Love you.”

She smiled. “Love you, too.”

“I think I’m going to let Scarlett and Marcus pack up my computers.” He lifted a brow. “Can I stay with you for a while until I’m all healed up?”

She blinked. “You have to ask? Silly man. Of course you can. Besides, you have to read Joshua’s bedtime stories. He likes how you do the voices.”

Marcus got behind the wheel. “Scar’s going to get a ride back with one of the uniforms. She told me to find you somewhere that you can rest.”

Diesel closed his eyes. “Then let’s go get the boys and go home.”

Epilogue

Cincinnati, Ohio
Saturday, October 12, 2:30 p.m.

Hands closed over Dani’s shoulders, giving her a tiny shake. “Go outside,” Deacon said. “Everything is perfect. Go enjoy your party.”

Dani dried her hands on a towel, then turned and pressed a kiss to her brother’s cheek. “I’m going to. Just had to get the cake ready.”