Page 239 of Unexpected Heroine

Pressing on before the group has a chance to react further, he clarifies, “She’s fine. Thankfully, it was only a graze of her arm. She was treated and released from the hospital last night. I brought her into HQ today for her protection and my sanity.”

Leo chimes in, expressing concern for his mother’s safety. “Mine too.”

Shep breaks the very tense quiet that follows, asking how we know it’s Lenkov. Boss explains how he took out the shooter, who had two photos on him.

Before he can explain further, Jonesy interjects. “Doesn’t necessarily implicate Lenkov. Could be someone else in the trafficking ring.”

I thought the same thing before learning the identity of the shooter.

With fury in his tone, Boss says, “The man I killed was one of Lenkov’s hired guns. He’s the same man who kidnapped Valerie Franco and Kri from the mathletes shit a few months ago.” He tips his head at Shep. “He was there when Valerie’s parents were murdered. The Russian with the silver-tipped cowboy boots.”

Shep slams his fist into the table but doesn’t speak. Given his hatred for the man who was so closely involved in what happened to Kri and their foster daughter, I’m not surprised he’s extra charged up over the news.

Relatable.

If I found out that Boss killed Yev or Viktor last night, I’d probably beat the shit out of something more violently than Shep just whacked the table. I’d be relieved that those monsters were no longer breathing the same air as Lettie but cheated that I didn’t get to do the honors.

Klein asks about protection for the informants, Savin and Tasha, to which Boss answers with the latest. “They’re being transferred into federal witness protection this morning. They’ve agreed to testify against Lenkov, and now that the mole has been exposed at the bureau, I’m assuming they can get a case together that’ll stick. From what I heard, the fraud and laundering case against Lenkov is fizzling out. But he’s not getting away with what he’s done to those girls.” His eyes cut to me briefly, and my chest expands with a large swell of oxygen. “And what he did to Maddie last night. Not this time. He wants a war? He’s got one.”

Immediately after Big Al’s ardent vow, the room erupts. Some jump up and shout. Others bang the table or clap. Loud voices carry around the room, making it clear where everyone stands.

With Redleg.

They aren’t bitching or moaning. And they damn sure aren’t celebrating.

This is a rally cry.

Not because we’re duty-bound to Redleg out of employment or even moral obligations. This shit is personal.

The men and women in this room are uniting. Enthusiastically banding together to protect those we love and seek retribution. Justice for our Redleg family and all the innocent people harmed at Lenkov’s hands.

For the families destroyed and lives lost.

For those abducted and assaulted.

For people like Savin and Tasha.

Valerie, her parents, and her aunt.

Kri and Mia.

Madeline.

And for Lettie.

Lenkov’s time of reckoning is here. Enough is enough. In solidarity with the people in this room—my family—we’ll fight.

And we’ll fucking win.

Chapter 44

A lesson in playing it cool

LETTIE

Occasionally, the chaos and executive dysfunction in my squirrel brain settle down. All my worries, discordant thoughts, and competing priorities approach absolute silence. And for once, I feel capable. Almost as if I have my shit together.

These peaceful times, as few and far between as they are, are the only moments of mental harmony I get to savor.

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