Page 31 of Unexpected Heroine

“She has no clue.”

For now.

We say our goodbyes. When I turn around, my sugar bear stands about five feet from me.

I slide the phone into my pocket and act casually. “More pain relievers?”

“Yes. But what’s this about me moving in here?”

From the way she asks, I can’t tell whether she’s open to it or rioting at the idea. But with the clock ticking, this isn’t the time for a discussion of this magnitude.

“Let’s talk about that later. We’re gonna have company in a few minutes.”

Her posture stiffens with a sharp inhale, causing a wince. But almost instantly, her features morph from pain-filled to anxious. Hesitantly, she steps toward me while wringing her hands and whipping her head around.

My legs launch me forward, quickly closing the space between us. Gingerly, I envelop her in my arms.

There’s a quiver in her voice as she asks, “Who’s coming here?”

“Sorry. That sounded more ominous than I intended.”

She peeks at me from under her lashes. Despite the cuts and bruises, she’s easily the most breathtaking creature I’ve ever seen.

“It’s my boss and Leo, the big guy who was with him last night. They want to check on us.”

“I’m not exactly up for visitors.”

“I know you’re not. When they get here, I’ll try to send them away. As much as I’d love for them to respect my boundaries, I doubt they will. We have a very... unique relationship.”

She squeezes her arms around my waist, burrowing her face into my chest. Although I can only see the top of her head, I get the feeling she’s cringing.

“I need to say something, yet I don’t know how to admit this without upsetting you.”

Letting go of her upper back with one hand, I run my fingertips through her silky hair. “Don’t worry about me. You can tell me anything, Lettie. Anything.”

“Um,” she starts, but I cut her off.

“Look at me, sweetness.”

When her face finally meets mine, dread seeps from her eyes. “I don’t think I can handle being around strange men right now. Please don’t make me.”

Anger, sadness, and relief get tossed in a blender in my gut.

The first two emotions aren’t helpful. I already have enough ire at the fuckers who violated her, and she doesn’t need to know I’m drowning in sorrow over what happened.

So I’ll focus on the relief. She doesn’t know it, but she’s given me exactly what I need to prevent a clusterfuck when her father arrives. A viable and honest reason to deny them entrance.

She stays wrapped around me until I hear their vehicle pull into the driveway.

“They’re here, sugar. You can watch me through the window. I’ll see what they want and send them away. Just tap on the glass if you need me.”

Her grip on me pulses before she lets go. “All right.”

After I open the front door, I glance over my shoulder at her. Feigning bravery, she shoos me with a flick of her hand.

“Be right back.”

I meet Boss about ten steps from my front door, planting myself in front of him and crossing my arms at my chest. Lionheart ambles up behind him. On first look, they still appear to be pissed.

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