Page 19 of Unexpected Heroine

My sugar bear.

I need to get my laptop when she falls asleep so I can start hunting down the people who did this to her. I’ll have to get the photos that Jonesy snapped of their faces and sent to Mia at HQ.

Fucking hell. Can’t believe Big Al was waiting for us when we returned. Talk about being fucking screwed.

Luckily, Lettie doesn’t know what her father looks like, or she might have recognized him. I asked her once if she had any photos of him, but since her mom passed when she was an infant and her grandparents never told her about her father, I suppose her knowing what he looks like is unlikely.

The fear that gripped me when they were face to face tonight was yet another of my worst nightmares coming to fruition.

A lot of those happening lately.

Her timid voice calls out. “You’re still there, right?”

“I’m right here.”

“Thank you.”

Since she can’t see me, I don’t restrain my grin, letting it overtake my face. My head falls back against the wall with a soft thud.

“That’s the twelfth thank you in so many minutes.”

“Glad you can count that high,” she snarks.

“Smart-ass,” I mutter.

“Sexy-ass,” she tosses back without missing a beat.

The relief that she can still act like a brat warms my soul in an unfathomable way. Fuck, I needed that.

When she’s done, we return to the kitchen together to refill her water. Once we’re back in my room, I pull down the covers on her side of the bed. She eases down cautiously and scoots up the mattress while trying to hide her pained sighs.

“You don’t have to pretend you’re not hurting. I already know you are.”

She sticks her tongue out at me. “Maybe I’m not trying to hide it from you. Did you ever think that perhaps I’m trying to hide it from myself?”

Damn.

“No. I didn’t. Are you?”

Screwing her lips to one side, she tosses me an unreadable look.

I pull the blanket up to her chest. “What’s that look for?”

“Nothing. Bring your clueless ass to bed, please.” She taps my pillow twice.

“Hang on a second. I have some cream for the backs of your legs. Can you roll onto your stomach or at least your side?”

“It’s not gonna burn or sting, is it?”

“No. It’ll soothe the pain, reduce swelling, and shorten bruising time.” Yet another tool from my Dom arsenal that’ll come in handy tonight.

One of the tricks of the trade.

Nibbling her lip, she offers a slow nod of agreement, then rolls to her side. I retrieve the replenishing cream from the bathroom cabinet and return before she notices I’m too far from her.

This stuff is great for after a rough impact play session. It’s made with shea butter, arnica, and vitamin E.

Kneeling beside her, I lift the shirt and apply a thin layer of balm to the areas where the skin is raised with welts or where the bruising is prevalent.

---