Page 109 of No More Lies

Surprisingly, Steve wasn’t disappointed. Death would have been the easy way out.

“And the child?”

“Reunited with her mother.”

Steve nodded. Tracer had come through. “Tell Tracer I said thank you. I owe him a beer.”

Dex smiled. “I’ll be sure to let him know.”

“I take it he’s gone?”

“Wouldn’t be good for him to be here when the FBI arrive. He’s still a wanted man.”

“Wanted or not. I’d have his back any day.” As far as Steve was concerned, Tracer had saved Diane’s life. He would never forget it.

“Go. We'll join you as soon as we’re done here.” Dex held out his hand for a bro shake, which Steve gladly gave.

He stepped up into the ambulance, shutting the doors behind him. The paramedic made room so he could sit near Diane’s head. He leaned down and kissed her forehead. A lump formed in his throat at how close he’d come to losing her.

“You’re going to be OK. We’re going to be OK, Angel.”

***

DEX WATCHED THE AMBULANCE disappear as Ryan came and stood beside him.

“Diane OK?”

“She will be.”

“And Steve?”

“He will be, too.” His phone rang and he answered it.

“Dawson. Everybody good?” Tracer asked.

Dex put the phone on speaker. “I’m here with Ryan and yeah, everyone’s good. Diane has some injuries but doesn’t look too serious.”

“Glad to hear it. That was kind of crazy. Just like old times, huh?”

Dex shook his head, looking at Ryan. “Yeah, it was. I take it you got out OK?”

“We’re clear.”

“You going to tell us how you came to be on that plane?” Ryan asked.

“Does it matter?”

“It does. You took a big risk coming here. Why?”

“Risk is what we live for, isn’t it?” Tracer said.

“You back doing private work?” Dex asked.

“Something like that.”

All three were silent for a beat, then Dex said. “Tracer. Reborn’s beef is with us. Don’t get yourself embedded with them like you did with that cartel. We can take care of Reborn. This is what we do.”

“I’m not in bed with them. Look, I am doing a little work, and that means moving in circles where you hear and see a few things. I might have asked a couple of people to let me know if they heard anything about Reborn. I got word that Aziz’s plane was about to leave for the US. Aziz never flies to the US. I did a little digging, connected the dots.” His tone of voice was casual, like it was no big deal.