His answer is to pull me closer, ignoring the pain it must cause, and kiss me with such tenderness that tears spring to my eyes.
"Sandra Hemmings," he murmurs against my lips, "nothing would make me happier than having you here, in my town, in my life, for as long as you'll have me."
"That might be a very long time," I warn him, blinking back the moisture in my eyes.
"I'm counting on it."
The next day dawns clear and cold, sunlight glinting off fresh snow. By seven, we're at The Velvet Antler again, but this time, the place is closed to the public. Parker and two officers from Vancouver are hidden in the back room, while others wait outside in unmarked cars. Diesel sits alone at a table, nursing a coffee, the perfect picture of a defeated man waiting to surrender.
I'm stationed at the bar again, out of direct line of sight but close enough to see and hear everything. My heart hammers against my ribs as we wait, the minutes ticking by with excruciating slowness.
At precisely eight, the door opens. Vanessa enters alone this time, confidence in every line of her body. She spots Diesel and smiles, a predatory curve of red lips that sends a chill down my spine.
"Right on time," she says, sliding into the seat across from him. "I've always appreciated that about you. Punctual, even for your own surrender."
Diesel doesn't answer, just watches her with wary eyes as she removes an envelope from her purse.
"The paperwork is simple," she continues, sliding it toward him. "Just a statement recanting your previous testimony. Sign it, and this unpleasantness is over. I leave, you get to keep playing house in this charming little backwater."
"And Ric walks free," Diesel says flatly.
Vanessa's smile widens. "Justice served, finally. My brother never deserved what you did to him."
"What I did?" Diesel's voice rises slightly. "He set me up, Vanessa. Would have let me rot in prison."
"Business," she dismisses with a wave of her manicured hand. "Nothing personal. You understood the rules when you joined us."
"And now I'm supposed to trust that you'll keep your word? Leave me alone after I sign this?" He taps the envelope with one finger.
"You don't have much choice, do you?" Her voice hardens. "Unless you want something unfortunate to happen to your pretty little Sandra. She's quite devoted to you, isn't she? Following you around like a puppy. It would be a shame if?—"
"That's enough," Diesel interrupts, suddenly looking more dangerous than I've ever seen him. "You can threaten me all you want, but you leave her out of this."
Vanessa leans forward, dropping her voice to a silky purr. "Oh, have I touched a nerve? The mighty Diesel Torres, finally tamed by a woman? How domestic." She pushes the envelope closer. "Sign the papers, and she stays safe. It's that simple."
Diesel picks up the pen beside the envelope, appearing to consider. My breath catches. Even knowing this is part of the plan, seeing him seemingly ready to cave makes my heart ache.
"Fine," he says finally. "But after this, we're done. You never contact me again. You stay the hell away from Sandra, from Crimson Hollow, from everything I care about. Understood?"
"Crystal clear." Vanessa's smile is triumphant as Diesel opens the envelope. "Always knew you'd see reason eventually."
"Yeah, well, I've got a lot more to lose now," he mutters, unfolding the papers inside. Then he looks up, meeting her eyes directly. "Which is why I can't let you win."
Before Vanessa can respond, Parker and the Vancouver officers emerge from the back room, badges displayed. "Vanessa Ling-Torres, you're under arrest for witness intimidation, conspiracy to commit assault, and attempted murder," Parker announces.
The color drains from her face as she realizes she's been trapped. Her eyes dart to Diesel, fury replacing her confident smile. "You son of a bitch."
"It's over, Vanessa," Diesel says quietly. "Vancouver PD has the recording from yesterday. They know everything. About the hit and run, about Ric, all of it."
One of the Vancouver officers approaches with handcuffs. "You have the right to remain silent..."
For a moment, I think Vanessa might try to run, but she seems to deflate, allowing herself to be cuffed without resistance. As they lead her toward the door, she stops beside Diesel's chair.
"This isn't over," she hisses. "Not by a long shot. Ric has friends, remember? Friends who owe him favors."
"Maybe," Diesel acknowledges. "But they're not here. And neither are you, not anymore." He looks up at her, calm and steady. "Goodbye, Vanessa."
As the officers escort her out, our eyes meet briefly across the room. The hatred in her gaze would be frightening if not for the officers flanking her, the handcuffs securing her wrists. In that moment, I understand exactly what Diesel escaped five years ago. What he's finally, truly free of now.
