Page 252 of Unexpected Heroine

I’m unable to hear the response because Lettie captures my entire focus. Nothing or no one else exists.

I only see her.

As much as I want to bring her into my arms, I force myself to plant my feet and avoid crowding her. “Are you feeling better?”

She shrugs one shoulder. “Sort of.”

“What can I do to help?”

She wets her lips, then takes a small step closer, leaving almost no space between us. “Forgive me.”

If she wasn’t holding me to her like she’s my gravity, I’d fall backward in shock. “For what? There’s nothing you could?—”

“For thinking the worst about you.”

“I deserve it.”

“No, you didn’t. Not this time.” She places her palm on my chest, creating a ripple of warmth through my skin. “I thought you concocted the whole threat thing and called in the lock down to keep me from meeting him.”

I encircle her wrist, caressing her silky skin in a way I’d never thought I would again. “Sugar, I would never do that. I was only trying to protect you both. If I told you someone tried to kill him last night, you’d have been terrified.”

Lifting her hand from my chest, she cups my cheek. “I know that now. I’m so sorry.”

“Forgiven. Entirely unnecessary but instantly forgiven.”

With a slight nod, she lowers her hand and pulls her body back, returning to the wall. “I’m still furious at you, though.”

Nodding, I press my lips together and turn to the side, giving her an unobstructed view into Big Al’s office. “Go meet your father.”

Her line of sight drifts away, searching past me.

Madeline sidles up beside her. “Come on in, dear. You’ll find his bark is far worse than his bite.”

When they start to walk past me, a pit opens in my chest, and my heart plummets through it.

“Wait.” Moving quickly, I move to Lettie’s side, holding her back with a gentle pull of her forearm.

I feel rather than see all eyes in the room land on me.

Lettie huffs, her head bowing forward. “What are you doing?”

“What I should have done a long time ago.”

Taking her by the hand, I bring her the rest of the way to her father and look him in his eyes. “I’d like to introduce you to your daughter, Violet Anastasia Holt. She’s the sweetest, kindest, most loving person I’ve ever known. She’s strong like you. Forgiving and loyal like you. And as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. She’s been through some shit lately, so go easy on her. But I know you’re gonna love her. Everyone does.”

With my airway clogging with far too many emotions to decipher, I look down at my sugar bear. “Lettie, this is your father, Alan Lancaster. He didn’t know you existed until earlier today, so go easy on him. You don’t need to be scared of him because he’s the most honorable man you’ll ever know. You’re gonna love him.”

Then I walk out with Madeline close behind me. Before shutting the door, I turn around, adding, “Lettie, I’ll be right here in case you need me.”

Once she’s alone with her father, I stay close like I promised. Back to the wall, I slide down to the floor.

And I wait.

Madeline shakes her head as she studies my position. “If I come down there with you, will you help me back up or bring in a forklift to do it?”

Laughing silently, I hold out my palm to stop her. “Hang on.” I dart down the hall, returning a few seconds later with a rolling chair from a spare office.

She rolls her eyes and head in a flourish, reminding me exactly of her daughter, Sammy. “Thanks for making me feel like an old hag.” After she sits down, she adds, “I’m kidding. I appreciate the chair.”

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