No. He was right, she was safe, Ana was safe, and Nate was... Well, he was in good hands. "I'm okay. I'm going to give Ana a bath, and we're going to go to bed." She narrowed her eyes. "You have to promise me that if I need to be there, if Nate's injuries are... If it looks bad... I won't be able to rest if I don't think you'll call."

"I promise, I'll call when I know something. Either way. Okay?"

"Thank you."

He turned to the kitchen's bar and pulled a pen and notepad out of his breast pocket. "I'm writing down my phone number, Sam's, Rae's, Nate's, and the hospital's." When he finished writing the note, he said, "I'm taking the keys so Nate can get in when he gets back. Don't hesitate to call me. I'll stay with Nate tonight. If you have any problems or just want to know how he's doing or anything..."

"Thank you, Brady."

He nodded once. "Happy to help." He backed toward the door. "You two will be okay here by yourselves? You sure I can't get Sam—?"

"We're fine." She squeezed her daughter. "Aren't we, pajarita?"

Ana nodded and held her tighter.

"Okay. Tomorrow you'll have to make a statement about what happened."

"Thank you."

Brady walked to the door and bent to examine the outside knob. "This place needs a deadbolt."

"I don't think any of us thought he'd find us here."

"I wonder how he did."

She shrugged, too tired to worry about it tonight. "He's in custody, right? He's not getting out?"

"You're safe. I promise."

Safe. She hadn't felt truly safe in a very long time. Marisa finally had her life back, but what kind of life could it be without Nate?

* * *

EXHAUSTION ALMOST WON, but Marisa wanted to wash any remnants of that man's scent from her daughter's skin. When the dizziness passed, she lifted Ana, made sure the front and back doors were locked, and headed into her bedroom, closing the door behind them.

"I know you're sleepy, but let's take a quick bath."

She tried to set Ana on the bed, but her daughter wouldn't let her go.

"You're safe now, baby. Can you sit on the bed?"

She could feel her daughter's head shaking.

Marisa sighed, exhausted, and continued into the bathroom. Somehow, she managed to bend over and start the water in the giant bathtub, get it to the right temperature, and put in the stopper, all without setting Ana down. Her back would be sore tomorrow, but better her back than Ana's heart.

She gathered the soap and shampoo from the shower, snatched a clean washcloth from the cabinet, and set the items on the edge of the Jacuzzi tub while she waited for the water to fill it.

"You want bubbles?"

Ana's voice was tentative. "Okay."