“Thank you for everything,” she replied.
“You wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for your daughter.” The doctor offered a warm smile. “She’s excellent at her job.”
After the doctor left, Providence introduced her folks to Dakota.
He shook their hands. “Let’s get you somewhere safe.”
Once everyone was in the vehicle, Dakota pulled away. Using the binos, Providence kept a watchful eye. Even though Beeker had someone trailing Randy—and had confirmed that Randy and Lizzie were home sleeping—Providence was leaving nothing to chance.
They said very little en route to his black site. Once inside, Dakota led them through the building and into one of the larger bedrooms with a private bathroom.
Providence sat on the bed beside her mom and her dad relaxed in a chair. Dakota retrieved a chair from the room next door. “Can I get you guys something to drink?”
“A water, if it’s not too much trouble,” Heather said.
After retrieving bottled waters from his kitchen, he asked, “How are you both?”
“Under the circumstances, we’re doing well,” Gordon said. “Providence told us we can’t ask any questions, so forgive us if we seem rude.”
Everyone laughed. The ice had been broken and Dakota relaxed. “This is my black site, which also functions as a safe house. You’re both welcome to stay as long as you need to. I’ll be working with Providence and law enforcement to ensure things go smoothly and no one gets hurt.”
In truth, he wanted to hurt Randy. He wanted to punish him for everything he’d done, but he couldn’t do that, not this time.
“Thank you for letting us stay here,” Gordon said.
Heather offered a warm smile. “I’m a psychologist, so I’m trained to ask questions. Perhaps I could ask just one.”
Providence laughed. “Couldn’t resist, could you, Mom?”
Dakota smiled. “You’re welcome to ask me whatever you’d like.”
“Are you FBI, too?”
“Mom.”
“I’m the CEO of Goode-Luck Real Estate.”
“That’s why you look so familiar,” Heather said. “I remember your commercials.”
“I’m also the person the police thought had killed Matt Hastings,” he added. “You might have seen that on the news.”
“I did,” Gordon said. “I’m sorry my stepson was framing you for a murder you didn’t commit.”
Dakota slid his gaze to Providence. “Like the doctor said, you have a very smart daughter who figured it outbeforeI got arrested.”
He and Providence held their gazes for an extra beat. He adored this woman and would do whatever it took to keep her by his side, always.
“Dakota, what do you do besides work?” Heather asked.
“I’m a widower and I have a four-year-old daughter who keeps me pretty busy. We live in McLean. When Providence’s condo was broken into—”
“What?” her mom exclaimed.
Providence arched an eyebrow at Dakota. “I wasn’t home.”
“The reason I mention that,” Dakota continued, “is because I insisted Providence move in with us. We’ve all fallen in love with her. Me, most of all.”
Tears filled her mom’s eyes, and her dad got up from the bed and shook Dakota’s hand. “That’s wonderful.”
