Page 56 of Unexpected Heroine

His forceful exhale flutters my hair. “Lettie, would you be comfortable staying with Josh for a few hours?”

Wuuuut?

I could’ve used a trigger warning before a certified jump scare like that.

Afraid to say too much when we’re both already on edge, my answer is succinct and to the point.

“No.”

Am I comfortable with Josh? Maybe.

James trusts him. Apparently, so do Big Al and Leo. It stands to reason that I probably should too.

However, my trust is presently in short supply.

But all that is entirely irrelevant because James said he wouldn’t leave me.

And yes, before you ask, I am pretending I don’t have a strong suspicion that his name isn’t James. Let me be delulu on this.

His hands move from my lower back to my shoulders. “Fine. No Josh. Hmm. Who else?” Eyes unfocusing, he quirks his neck and worries his lip. “Oh. Do you remember the blond female who was there when we rescued you the other night?” He whooshes one hand over his ear toward the back of his head. “Her hair is shaved on one side. Do you remember her?”

“Yes, I do. But?—”

“That’s Kri. How about her? She can stay inside with you while Josh guards the exterior. You can trust her. She was Delta Force.” He perks up with renewed vigor as if he’s about to close the deal of the century.

Does anyone else find this crazier than a fish with tits? Just me?

Oblivious to why I’m not answering, he keeps attempting to sell me on whatever bullshit he’s peddling. “Kri’s a perfect choice. She’s tough, smart, and was an officer in the Army. Since she’s not on full duty yet, I’ll get another female guard to accompany her. Then you’ll have two women inside with you. That’s even more protection. Plus, if she comes, Shep will come too. In fact, the Russians know we’re here since they mailed me the drive, so we need more protection anyhow. I’ll round up as many guards as I can.”

Too befuddled to speak, I stare at him with my jaw to my chest.

Head bobbing and still muttering, he pays no mind to my reaction. “Yeah. I’ll get as many guards as possible on the outside and at least two females on the inside with you. Sound good?”

I jerk out of his hold, my confusion giving way to frustration. “No, no, no, oh and also noooo. It don’t sound good. Am I hosting a fucking tea party or somethin’?”

Other than an eye twitch, he’s perfectly still. “I need to leave for a little while.”

Removing the distance between us, I press my palms on his chest and lower my volume. “You promised you wouldn’t leave me. Remember? Why are you trying to pass me off? How did what you saw on that video make being with me less important to you?”

He bunches his lips, runs his palm down his face vigorously, then encircles my wrists. While holding my hands to his chest, he tries a few times to speak, ultimately failing.

It’s like looking in the mirror. He’s a frazzled fucking mess.

That deplorable video has broken my sweet man.

“Babe, listen to me.” I cup his cheeks, applying a little more pressure than I normally would. I need his complete focus on me for this. “The only person I want to stay with, who I am comfortable with, who I need by my side, is you. Do not leave me tonight.”

I let my order—not a request—sit heavy between us.

With his hands gripping my shoulders, his features turn pleading. “I need to do this, Lettie. I’ll be back. I promise. You’ll be protected. But I must end this.”

“End this?” My voice warbles. “Where do you think you’re going? Why now? What do you mean you’re going to end this?”

Exhaling turbulently, he lets me go. Pacing again, he rattles a paltry explanation at a frenzied speed, his tone flat and lifeless. But his eyes are wild. “I was going to wait a few more days until you were feeling better before I went after them. But I can’t wait anymore. Not after this. I can’t wait. We can’t wait.”

He slices his open palms back and forth, emphasizing his words. “No more waiting. So I’ll call Mia. Convince her. Go to her and get their locations. Vanessa. Davidov. Savin. All of them. Mia knows where they are. I’ll make her talk. Then I’ll make them talk. I’ll find Yev. And?—”

On his next pass, I jump in his path. “Stop. Please. You’re scaring me.”

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