Page 32 of Unexpected Heroine

Only that’s not all they are. Especially Boss.

There’s something else clouding his blue eyes—so much like his daughter’s. Is it pity? Sadness? Acceptance?

He closes the space between us and lets his heavy stare convey his feelings.

Disappointment.

It’s something I recognize all too well.

Blinking away the guilt, I draw my line in the sand. “This isn’t a good time for visitors, guys. She’s been through a lot.”

Big Al waves off my objection with a slice of his hand. “We’re not here to create problems, especially for her. We came to check on you both and inform you of some developments on the case.” He flings his thumb toward Leo. “And we brought some resources for her.”

Lionheart wiggles a manila folder.

“Is that the shit about the women’s shelter?” I ask the big guy.

“Yep. The Langley Foundation has a state-of-the-art facility, twenty-four-hour security, social workers, therapy, psychiatry, and art therapy. The works. It’s the perfect place for her. And we’ve contacted about half the women so far, offering the same. A few have already started moving in.”

“Appreciate that, but it’s not necessary. She’s fine here.”

Boss and Leo trade knowing glances, and that just pisses me the fuck off.

I know Violet. They don’t.

I can give her what she needs. Not fucking strangers.

She’s mine. I’ll protect her.

Leo tips his chin toward my front door. “If she doesn’t want to stay there, she can access their services on an outpatient basis. If it’d help, we could go in for a minute and talk to her. She might have questions about what they offer.”

Before he can move toward the door, I leap in front of him and put my hand on his chest. “Lionheart, I’ll take the paperwork and give it to her. But she’s uh... she said she’s not ready to be around men she doesn’t know. After what she’s gone through, you can understand that, right?”

He instantly falls back, broad shoulders slumping. “Absolutely. No problem. We just want to help.” With his big palm, he pats my shoulder blade in a brotherly gesture.

I look behind me, unsurprised to see Violet’s face in the window. When I twist my head back around, Big Al is watching her too. There’s a comforting glimmer in his eyes. If he were close enough, would he notice how similar the blue is?

Would she?

He lifts his palm in her direction, offering a slight wave. When I peek back at Lettie, she responds in kind.

Fucking hell.

That’s their first interaction as father and daughter. And I’m the only one who knows it.

Remorse clogs my throat, and my neck goes taut.

Blowing out the discomfort, I return my focus to Boss.

His forehead is shriveled, making his wrinkles more pronounced. There’s a slight twitch in his jaw.

But it’s his eyes that threaten to gut me.

They slam into my stomach like a battering ram. A dozen or more questions conveyed in one look.

Attempting to cut off what could turn into an inquisition, I gesture over my shoulder toward Lettie. “I should get back to her. Give me the short version of the case update.”

Boss pins me with a questioning glare. “Do you think she’ll be willing to file a police report and identify the trafficker we have in custody as her abductor?”

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