“No,” Dani said. “Can you figure out a way to come down here? I think Michael needs you. He had a panic attack on the way in and he’s about to have another.”

Diesel was already packing up his laptop. “Didn’t Rex get there?”

“Yes, but, um . . . Michael doesn’t believe he’s your friend,” she said with a trace of wry humor. “He’s too fancy.”

Diesel snorted. “Did you tell him I don’t just consort with WWE types?”

“I did. I even told him you had super-rich friends.” She sighed, abruptly sober. “I think you make him feel safe. I don’t know what to do about Joshua, though. There’s a crowd of reporters outside the station. I don’t want his photo in the news. It’s bad enough they took pictures of Michael when we walked him in.”

Diesel’s temper simmered. “They can’t use them. He’s only fourteen.”

“They’re not supposed to, but you know as well as I do that some of those guys with cameras would sell their mothers for a buck. I don’t think they were aiming for Michael. They were shouting questions at Deacon and Adam.”

It didn’t matter. “Dammit. Adam and Deacon should have taken him in through the back.”

“I said as much, but they said there were more reporters there. All the networks and major news outlets.”

“Hold on.” Diesel looked at Marcus. “Can you and Scarlett watch Joshua for a little while?”

“Of course, as long as he’s okay with it. Whatever you need.”

On the other end of the phone, Dani sighed her relief. “Tell them thank you for me. When you get here, text me. I’ll ask Deacon to come up and escort you.”

“Will do. Thanks, Dani.”

“No, thank you. See you soon.”

Diesel hung up, staring at his phone for a few heartbeats. She’d never called him before. Hearing her voice had him both calm and tense at once. He wanted to take a moment to remember how he’d felt when she’d leaned into him. How soft and silky her hair had been.

But he had places to be. Kids to help. And maybe a doctor to woo face-to-face, rather than just dream about.

Marcus’s lips had curved. “Finally?”

Diesel’s cheeks heated. “Finally what?”

“Dani?”

Diesel didn’t try to play dumb. But he also couldn’t let Marcus get the wrong idea. “It’s just for the kids. Don’t get your hopes up. I’m not.”

Marcus stood up and leaned in close. “Liar. If you need me, I’m here.”

Marcus knew him well. My hopes already are up. But Marcus also understood that Dani had kept him at arm’s length for eighteen long months.