Deacon sighed. “I can’t guarantee that Andrew is untouchable, but in my experience, he’s been discreet. That’s all I can give you.”

“It’ll have to be enough for now, I guess. Thanks, Deacon.”

Deacon clapped him on the shoulder. “Good luck.”

I hope we don’t need it, but I’m pretty sure we will, Diesel thought as he entered the interview room. Michael was sitting in a chair, hugging himself, so pale that Diesel was surprised the kid hadn’t passed out. Dani sat beside him, a tenseness beneath her exterior of calm. Rex sat quietly, hands folded in front of him, the picture of the proper lawyer, and Diesel could see how Michael might doubt their friendship.

Hell, half the time Diesel wondered why any of them were his friends, but he was grateful that they were. The team at the Ledger was more like a family.

My family.

His gaze moved past Maddie, the social worker, to a man he’d never seen. Andrew, the interpreter.

Diesel would be doing a thorough search of his background and finances. Just in case the guy got greedy.

“Diesel. Thank you for coming.” Dani gave him a smile that made his pulse skitter. It was mostly relieved, her smile, but there was also something else there. Trust. That she trusted him with this was enough to make him hope.

If nothing else, it was a damn good place to start.

“Always.” He’d always come when she needed him. The woman had no clue just how much power she held over him. But this was about the boy looking at Diesel like he was his salvation. He sat next to Michael, bumping shoulders with the kid. “You okay?” he signed.

Michael shook his head. “Scared,” he signed back.

“I understand. But Rex is a very good attorney. I’ve known him for years. I’d trust him with my life.”

Michael nodded, seeming to relax a little. “I don’t want to tell anyone anything. This is . . .” He clenched his eyes shut for a few seconds before starting again. “What happened to me . . . it’s so embarrassing.”

“I get it,” Diesel signed, hoping the kid could see the seriousness in his eyes. “But if you were mugged, would you be embarrassed to tell?”

“No, but this is different.”

“Of course it is. But for now, for the next hour or however long it takes us to get through what you have to say, pretend in your mind that you were mugged. Tell Rex everything just like you would then, okay?”

“Okay.” Michael turned to Rex, squaring his thin shoulders. “I’m ready.”

Diesel glanced at Dani, his pulse stumbling again. She was looking at him with gratitude and respect and a bit of awe. Add those to trust, and I can work with that.