Page 230 of Unexpected Heroine

“Holy fuck.”

I blink away the shock and attempt to focus on the most pressing questions. Big Al needed me here for a reason. Most likely, it’s because he knows I can stay calm under this type of pressure. Not to say my peers can’t, but this is quite personal for all of them. Madeline is Sammy and Leo’s mother. And mother-in-law to Sawyer and Sue. Plus, Madeline is Big Al’s... person. They’re all emotionally compromised. That’s why he needs me.

It’s my moment to protect my Redleg family. And I damn sure won’t let him down.

“Who was the shooter?”

Sawyer strokes Sammy’s hair and kisses her forehead. “Boss says Lenkov ordered a hit on him. Madeline was caught in the crossfire.”

“Is he certain, or do we need to compile proof?”

“He’s certain. Shooter had Big Al’s photo on him. He was the fucker with the metal-tipped cowboy boots.”

Yep. Confirmed.

That Russian cowboy—or so we’ve come to call him—was there the night Valerie Franco’s parents were murdered. And he was also one of the men who abducted Kri and Valerie a few weeks later. He’s one of Lenkov’s enforcers.

Well... he was. Until Boss took care of that.

If he was involved, then it can only mean one thing. The war with Lenkov has reached our backyard. Our role in removing their control of Franco Financial pissed them off, but rescuing Lettie and taking a chunk out of their trafficking operation must have been the last straw. And now they’re coming for us.

Everyone is in danger.

Lettie.

Stella and Freya. Shep, Kri, and Valerie.

Mia. Jonesy, Aaron, and the others from the rescue are especially at risk. Good thing Boss has had everyone involved in that op doubled up and on high alert. But we’ll have to kick it up a few notches.

I need to protect them all.

And I fucking will.

I’ll be damned if I miss my shot. Not this time.

“We need to lock down Redleg,” I announce. “If they have a hit on Big Al, they could have a hit on any of us. Especially those of us involved in Lettie’s rescue. And since the hit failed, Lenkov will be even angrier and could escalate. Was Boss arrested or just detained for questioning?”

I pull out my phone and call the head of security at the women’s shelter where Lettie is staying to put them on alert.

While it’s ringing, Sawyer answers, “Far as we know, Boss is only being questioned.”

“Good. But we can’t wait for him to finish with that before we put shit in motion to protect our people. Get your phone out, man. We’ve got work to do.” I look at Sammy. “Can you help with calls? If not, can you take Leo’s place and send him out here to help?”

She rolls her shoulders back and lifts her chin. “I’m only crying this much because of fucking pregnancy hormones. But I’m good. I can do it. Besides, Big Al doesn’t want Leo to leave Mom’s side. What do you need?”

“First, I need a place to set up my laptop.” My eyes sweep the lobby, not finding a good space. “I need to get online immediately.”

Sammy points toward a hallway. “There’s a little coffee place back there. It’s closed, but the tables and chairs are out. I saw it when we left the ER to come wait for you.”

Moving quickly, the three of us head to the coffee shop. It’s empty and quiet, just as she said.

“Sammy, text your brother or Sue to give them our twenty,” I order. “He might come out, looking for us in the lobby.”

She pulls out her phone, her fingers flying over the screen. “On it.”

“Sawyer, call Shep or Kri. Put them on high alert.” I glance at him, worrying my lower lip. “Don’t tell them Madeline was shot. Boss might not want that out yet. Just tell them we’ve got a credible threat. More info forthcoming tomorrow or something like that.”

Sawyer nods, pulling out his phone. “Why not send a message through the app?”

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