“Good,” Chris said. “Then I don’t have to explain myself.”

“Koby and Cindy offered to watch them,” Rina said.

“When’s Gabe coming back?” Sammy asked.

“In a week,” Hannah said. “I can watch the kids. Gabe and I are close. We live within a few blocks from each other.”

“That is not going to happen,” Decker said. “You have your own baby to look after.”

“Ilana and I can watch them,” Jacob said. “We don’t have children.”

“No, you will not watch them either,” Decker said. “There might be risk involved. It’s possible that someone took their mother by force.” He turned to Donatti. “You just redeemed the boy, right?”

“Right,” Donatti said. “I thought we had a deal, but they’re criminals.”

“None of my children are going to watch them, Chris. I will not put them at risk.”

“Daddy,” Cindy said, “I’m just as much a cop as you are, and no offense, but my reflexes are probably faster than yours. And Koby certainly knows his way around a gun.”

Donatti looked at Koby. “You’re a cop?”

“I’m a doctor, but I was in the army.”

“Israeli army,” Cindy added. “He’s just as good a shot as I am, and that’s saying a lot.”

Donatti said, “I know this is a big ask. I’ll hire you whatever bodyguards you need for your protection. As many as you want.”

“The answer is still no,” Decker said.

Cindy said, “Daddy, that’s not your decision to make.”

“But I’m going to make it anyway,” Decker said.

“Thank you, Abba, I know that you care,” Koby said. “But Cindy is right. This is our decision. You and Rina have enough on your plate. And believe me, with my experiences, I know how to avoid an enemy. I promise we’ll be careful.” Koby turned to the children. “We’ll all sit down and make a plan, right?”

“A guard may be helpful,” Cindy said. “Have a pair of eyes on the kids.”

“Whatever you need,” Donatti told her. “And I’ll give you whatever money you need, as well.”

“One thing at a time,” Koby said. “Let’s first make a plan and then we’ll go from there.”

“I agree,” Cindy said. “We can give Sanjay and Juleen the spare room.”

One of Cindy’s sons looked at the kids and said, “I’m Aaron, he’s Akiva. Gabe is our uncle. And since you guys are Gabe’s sister and brother, that makes you our aunt and uncle.”

Sanjay was confused, but Juleen gave a small smile. The boys looked around her age, but they were way taller than her.

Akiva said, “Actually, Mom, Aaron, and I can bunk together so they can each have their own room.”

Aaron said, “Yeah, we sleep in the same room a lot of the time anyway.”

“Thank you, boys,” Koby said. “That’s very mature of you.”