"Brad didnt know it was yours," Matty said. "Not that it would have mattered, because even if he had known you were a criminal, and I assume you are, given what youre doing and saying here, he still would have turned you in. Like he did with the Irish." Of that she was certain.

"He knew in the end," Mai said.

Mattys blood ran cold. She knew a confession when she heard one. "You killed Brad," she said.

Mai lifted a shoulder. "I didnt kill him. But we did what we needed to do to protect our assets."

"And who does 'we refer to?" she asked, not sure she wanted to hear the answer.

Again, a shoulder came up. "The Irish have their little gang and the businesses they run, my family has a much more enterprising approach."

Again, Matty found herself blinking at the onslaught of information flowing at her. Of course she knew that there was organized crime in the US. And she even knew that Chinese gangs-families-were a growing concern to not just law enforcement, but other cartels as well. It had just never occurred to her that the family of a respected professor from one of Americas top universities might be involved. And it made her feel like a nave child.

"I see," she said quietly. The more she knew-the more she learned-the more of a liability she became and she already knew far too much. Any hope she had of getting out of this situation alive was rapidly dwindling.

"So, Brad found one of your accounts and syphoned your illegal money?" she asked. Mai nodded. "And just how do you make your money, Mai?"

"Gambling, of course. The betting windows, that sort of thing."

"You control them?"

Again, Mai nodded. "Its a more sophisticated operation than what the Irish control. Although, over the years weve reached a bit of an accord with them. They stick to their enterprises, we stick to ours," she added.

"How very civil of you," Matty all but bit out. But then she paused and took a deep breath. She had hoped to will her heart rate down, but all the breath did was make her cough. She turned her head and out of the corner of her eye, through the window, caught movement. She wasnt sure what it was but just in case it was someone riding to her rescue, she didnt want to give them away, so she turned back to Mai.

"I dont know anything," she said.

"Wrong answer, Matty," Mai said raising her gun.

What did she have to lose now? She shrugged. "Im sorry, I dont know anything. I dont know what Brad knew, I dont know what he did with the information he had, and I really dont know what he did with your money."

"I do," came Dashs voice from the doorway. Mai spun, gun raised, to find Dash striding toward her with a rifle in his hand. If possible, Matty became even more still, not liking that Mais weapon was now pointed directly at Dash.

A few feet in the door, Dash stopped, not dropping his focus on Mai for a second. In fact, Matty was surprised to see just how focused Dash was. Not that she doubted him, it was just that he had always been so laid back with her. He didnt tend to get ruffled about much of anything; he went with the flow, unless the flow was against his grain and then he didnt make a big deal of it, but just quietly stood his ground.

But this Dash, the one in front of her now, was radiating tension from every muscle in his body. He held his rifle as naturally as if it were a part of his body and he wore an expression that said he would fire without a second thought if provoked.

"Matty, Id like you to leave the barn now," Dash said. Mai said nothing, also keeping her weapon drawn.

"Matty?" Dash said again. Mai swung her weapon around to point it back at Matty. If possible, the tension in Dashs body coiled even tighter and his jaw clenched.

Matty shook her head, not that he could see her with his eyes locked on Mai. "No, Dash, Im not leaving you," she said as she looked to Dashs waist to see if his phone was in its usual place. Having left hers in his truck with her purse, getting closer to him and using his phone to call for help might be their only chance. She frowned; his phone wasnt there.

She saw the side of his mouth tip into a small grin. "Im not asking you to leave me, but I am asking you to step outside for a moment while Mai and I sort this out."

She looked at the two people in front of her. They both had their eyes locked on each other, though Mais weapon was still pointed at her. "No," Matty said. "If I leave, shell only have one target, you. At least this way if she tries to kill me, you can get a shot off."

Mai shifted her position, taking a step away from Matty, making her wonder what the woman was thinking. She couldnt possibly believe that she was going to get away with anything at this point. But then, casting a glance in her direction, she saw the flat look in Mais eyes, a look that made her suck in a quick breath. Mai knew this wasnt going to end the way she had intended but had no intention of bowing out gracefully.

"No one is going to die today, Matty," Dash said as if reading her mind.

His confident tone irritated her. It shouldnt have, but it did. He was being cavalier about his life. She wasnt feeling quite the same way.

"Then it shouldnt matter if I stay," she shot back. She saw Dash take a breath and will himself under control.

"No one is going to die, Matty," Dash repeated, "but youve seen enough violence in your life that whatever happens in here, you dont need to witness it." Mai made a small, derisive sound.

But Dashs comment had caught Matty by surprise. It wasnt at all what she had been expecting him to say, though she didnt know why. In his own way, every day, hed shown her how much he cared for her, cared about her. And he was still doing it. Even as he pointed a rifle at the head of a woman whod been involved in the death of her half brother. Dash wasnt being cavalier about himself; he was trying to protect her-not necessarily from a bullet, though there was that too, but from the pain of her past.

"We can get married, Dash," she blurted out. That startled him and, for a moment, his eyes shot to hers before refocusing on Mai. Matty cast another glance at the woman holding the gun, too. Mai had been unusually silent during their exchange and Matty could only guess it was because she was using the time to come up with a new plan and she didnt like the thought of that.

"Im glad to hear that," Dash said. "My moms already planning on it so if you want any say in the wedding, you may want to mention it to her, too. In fact, why dont you go do that now?"

While he was talking, Dash had inched closer to her and was now standing between her and Mai, who had taken another step toward to the door. Matty realized that if Mai was able to leave the barn, all she would have to do was wait for them to follow, then she could easily pick them off one at a time as they exited, something theyd have to do at some point, especially if they couldnt call for help.

"Dash," Matty said in warning.

"I got this, Matty. Believe me, I do," he said, his voice pleading with her to leave. A small part of her wanted to give him what he wanted just to make that tone disappear. She didnt like denying Dash what he wanted. But another part of her knew she wasnt going to leave him.

"I know you do, Dash. I know you do," she repeated. "But youre not doing this alone. Were doing it together. Im not leaving you now, Im not leaving you ever. I think you need to get used to that."

"Such a sweet sentiment," Mai drawled as she took another step backward toward the door.

Matty saw Dashs jaw clench and she braced herself for what he might say next.

But when she heard a mans voice, it was Ians, not Dashs.

"Lucky for you two, I think youll have a long time to get used to the together thing," Ian said as he, Marcus, and Carly entered the barn, weapons drawn. Ian stopped a few feet inside with Marcus and Carly fanning out on either side of him.

Matty watched Mai spin at their entrance. Her eyes danced between the four weapons directed at her. For a moment it looked like she might take a shot just to bring someone down with her. But then, miraculously, she lifted her finger from the trigger, opened her palm, and lifted her hands. In an instant, Carly had Mai disarmed and handcuffed.

"Dash," Ian said. "If you wouldnt mind lowering that hunting rifle, wed all appreciate it."

Ians voice cut through the fog in Mattys brain and as Dash set the safety and lowered his weapon he turned just in time to grab her as she stepped into his arms. The rifle slid to the floor and he held her so tightly she started to cough. They stood there a long time, not saying anything, until Ian cleared his throat.

Dash pulled back from her, but just enough to see her face. He wound his hands into her hair and tilted her head up to look at him. Their gazes met and held, and in his eyes, she saw everything she felt for him reflected.

"Dash?" Ian said. "We need to take some statements."

Without taking his eyes from hers, Dash answered. "We need a minute, Ian." Then he took her hand and dragged her out of the barn and around to the side, out of sight of everyone else. Pushing her against the barn, his hands raked through her hair again and his mouth crashed down on hers. It was rough, rougher than hed ever been with her, but she didnt mind. The reality of what had just happened was slowly sinking into her consciousness and she needed him, his vitality, as much he needed her.

His hands were up under her shirt and her arms were wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer to her, when the punishing kiss suddenly lost its power.

"Jesus, Matty," Dash said breathing hard, his forehead resting against hers.

She closed her eyes and gave thanks, once again, for Dash, for the fact that he was okay. "You scared the hell out of me, Dash," she whispered, starting to shake a bit. Or maybe it was Dash.

"If I never have to go through something like that again, it will be too soon," he said, his unsteady hand combing her hair back.

"You and me both." She leaned into him and could hear his heart beating a strong tattoo in his chest. "How did you know?" she asked, finally.

"I guess one of the accounts on the list Brad sent the FBI wasnt linked to any of the Irish accounts. Damian was worried that whoever held the account might have been tipped off because of the raid and just wanted to be sure that everyone involved, meaning you and me, were aware of the situation and safe. So he called Ian, Ian called me," he answered.

"Your rifle?" she asked. "Did you really think I might be in danger?"

Dash shook his head and lifted a shoulder at the same time. "I didnt know, and thats what got my blood going. I always carry a rifle in my truck on the off chance I need to deal with an injured animal quickly and safely. I grabbed it on my way up to get you." And after a moment he added, "Jesus, Im glad I did."

Matty pressed herself against him again, just to feel his warmth, his body against her, but a coughing fit hit her and she nearly doubled over.

Dash held her through the fit then gently brushed a hand over her forehead. "Your fever is back. I need to get you home."

"What about Ian?" she said. "He needs to know what Mai told me."

Dash looked around them for a moment, then spotted Ian leaning against his car talking into his phone. He hung up when Dash waved him over.

"You guys okay?" Ian asked as he headed their way. His eyes swept over both of them then stayed on Matty. "You dont look so good, Matty," he added.

"She has a fever and maybe bronchitis or something like that. Can you drive us to the doctor and ask your questions on the way? Your car is closer, mines still at the house and Id rather not make her walk back down the hill."

She smiled when Ian didnt hesitate for a second. Vivi definitely had herself a good man. But then again, so did she. Within minutes, Marcus was driving them to the hospital. Ian sat beside him in the front seat taking notes, while she sat in the back, tucked in next to Dash, answering questions.

Much later that night-after getting checked out by the doctor, picking up some antibiotics, enjoying an amazing Italian dinner that Vivi had cooked and that she and Ian had delivered to Dashs and then stayed to share, and drinking more wine than she should have given the state of her health-Matty crawled into bed.

"I shouldnt have let them stay so long," Dash said, lying on his side facing her, his fingers tracing lines across her cheek.

"They know what it means to celebrate life, Dash. To be so thankful for it. I am tired, but Im also glad we let our friends take care of us a little bit tonight."

He was silent for several heartbeats but she could tell from his breathing that there was something he wanted to say. She raised her eyes to his in question.

"Were you serious about getting married, Matty?" he said bluntly.

She studied him before answering. She considered his beautiful face, though hed hate to hear it described that way, but more than that, she studied his eyes. The way they looked at her-the love, the respect, and even that tiny bit of nervousness that had crept in at his question. She smiled and placed a palm on his cheek, brushing her thumb across his lower lip.

"Well?" he said.

"Yes," she answered. "I was serious, Dash."

He looked at her for such a long time that she actually started to wonder if maybe hed been hoping she would say no-that all that talk was just that, talk. But then he smiled and a low laugh vibrated in his chest.

"Good, because I was, too. About my mom that is. You may want to let her know. I think she may have already booked the church."

EPILOGUE.

THE WEDDING WAS BEAUTIFUL. Just perfect. Matty looked around her, at all the smiling faces and couldnt help but smile herself. And take a long sip of some of the excellent champagne Rob had provided for the reception. The flowers shed picked were exquisite if she did say so herself and as she eyed the expansive buffet her stomach gave a low growl.

Beside her, Dashs chuckle echoed in her ear. "Hungry, Mrs. Kent?"

She turned into her husbands embrace and smiled. "Im always hungry," she said. "I have no idea how my stomach can be growling right now, I think I just ate half of everything. Vivi wasnt kidding when she said her family was taking care of the food," she added.

They both turned and looked at the bride and groom. Vivi looked stunning in her gown, but even more so for the smile she wore when she looked at her new husband. Beside Vivi, Ian stood, in his charcoal-gray suit, looking just as besotted as his new wife.

"Italians," Dash said with a shrug and a smile.

Dash and Mattys wedding had been very different in form, but not in substance. Matty knew that the expression Vivi had on her face when she looked at Ian was the same one shed worn the day she and Dash had wed. The same look she probably still got on her face when she looked at Dash. But the wedding itself, which had taken place two weeks after Brads funeral, had been tiny. They had anticipated only Dashs immediate family, Mattys mother, and Charlotte and Nanette Lareaux. But of course Ian and Vivi had come, along with Elise, Kit, Carly, Marcus, and Jesse, whod been accompanied by her two boys. Kristen had also asked to come and there was no way either Matty or Dash was going to say no to her-they had kind of adopted her during her fathers frequent trips and Matty loved the girl like a little sister.

After the wedding, theyd moved into the house Brad had left her, because as Dash pointed out, once they had kids, they would need a bigger place than his. They werent quite ready for kids yet, but Matty knew they both hoped to have a family someday and Brads house-their house-was big enough for two or three.

Mattys mom had spent a good two days interrogating Dash, which hed taken with good humor, and then finally declared him almost good enough for her daughter. Since then, Dash had been charming Carmen in every way possible and the two of them were now thick as thieves-Matty suspected her mom was buttering Dash up for grandkids sooner rather than later. She didnt think Dash was fooled, but she also didnt think he probably needed much prodding.

But the biggest surprise of their wedding was when her father had shown up. She was grateful he hadnt asked to take her moms place and walk her down the aisle; hed sat in the back of the church, respectful of her wishes for the day. He hadnt accompanied them to the informal dinner reception after the ceremony but had asked Matty if they might meet or talk at a later date. Shed agreed and when they had met, when hed asked if there was any way to even begin to make amends, shed surprised herself by telling him about her plans to start a foundation in Brads name that honored the courage of everyday people. Douglas had readily agreed to help, had even begun to tear up during the conversation. She and her father had spoken a few times since and were beginning to make plans for how the organization might be structured and run.

Her mother was managing the estate in DC and she and Nanette were considering making it available to the public for events. Matty liked that idea, liked the idea of her grandmothers house being used for weddings and other celebrations. And she liked even more that her mom and Nanette had also agreed that they wanted the whole endeavor to be a nonprofit-whatever they took in hosting fancy events would be turned around to cover the cost of hosting events at no charge for local nonprofits.

As for Mai Zheng, she wasnt someone Matty thought about much anymore-at least not intentionally. Although with Chen feeling so deeply horrified by his sisters actions, by the actions of his family, he stopped by more often than she wished simply to continue to apologize.

It had been a surprise that Chen knew nothing of his familys business, but apparently, according to Mai, Chen had been pegged at a young age as too much of a bleeding heart to be brought into the inner circles. Fortunately for Chen, the investigators were able to verify her statements. Unfortunately for everyone else, that was about all Mai said.

She was awaiting trial, but unlike the Irish group Damians team was able to bring down, theyd only been able to arrest two other people involved in Mais family, including James Connell, the man she hired to kill Brad and also hurt the animals, causing the diversion Mai had needed to continue her search of Brads house. After realizing his best chance at escaping the death penalty lay in implicating Mai, Connell had confessed to being a hired gun for the Zheng family and provided as much information as he could to help the authorities prosecute Mai and investigate several others.

Connell had lured Brad to the barn with a tale of an injured dog before hed had a chance to leave town as planned. Where he was going, they never did find out, but Matty, Vivi, and the others, including the FBI, assumed he was clearing out for a few weeks knowing the turmoil that the information hed sent to the FBI would cause. And given that they had found photos of Brad and evidence during the raid that indicated the Irish Mafia had been looking into him, it hadnt been a bad plan.

But in all likelihood, one thing Brad hadnt counted on was stumbling across an illegal account held by the Zheng family. The FBI couldnt say for certain if Brad knew hed found not just one, but two, organized crime families operating in the area, but they were leaning toward the discovery of the Zheng account as being an unintentional find, with the Irish group being Brads primary investigative interest. Of course, once hed found it and syphoned money from it, hed inadvertently tipped the Zheng family off to his activities, as Mai was much more meticulous with her accounts than her Irish counterparts.

When Connell confessed to injuring both Bob and Bogey, he also answered the mystery of just how Randy Smeltzer was involved-or not. It turned out that Smeltzer had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Hed been out for a morning stroll in his robe, slippers, and socks and happened to see Connell leaving the barn moments after hed killed Brad. According to Connell, hed had no choice but to kill Smeltzer, who had run and tried to hide from Connell by climbing the tree. Connell had collected the robe and slippers that had fallen off when Smeltzer had run, leaving him in nothing but his red socks.

There had been a lot of surprises and revelations in the past few months, but none more important than Dash.

Matty smiled now as she looked up into her husbands face and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Have I told you just how good you look in that suit?" she asked.

Dashs eyebrow went up at her intentionally suggestive tone. "Im pretty sure youll like me better out of it," he said with his own smile, making her laugh.

"I like you just fine in whatever you are, or are not, wearing." She went up on her tiptoes and kissed him. He followed her lips down, dipping his head, as she returned her heels to the ground.

"Thats nice," he said, his voice gruff against her lips. "Because, as much as I love you all the time, I have to say, Im partial to when youre not wearing anything except me and a smile."

Matty laughed again against his lips. "Im so glad to hear that, Dr. Kent," she said, lacing her fingers with his and gently pulling him in the direction of the dance floor that was full of couples slow dancing. "Because that aligns perfectly with my plans for the evening."