Page 113 of Unexpected Redemption

Chapter 24

Something in the water

LETTIE

Tomer pulses his hand on the exposed skin of my thigh just below my skirt’s hemline. “Are you okay?”

Teasing him, I bat him off. “Hands on the wheel, bud. Ten and two. You’re carrying precious cargo. It’s official now.”

His gravelly chuckle makes my nipples stiffen to peaks, and when he moves his palm to rub my belly, I melt into a puddle of liquefied Lettie.

Flashing a bona fide smile, I reassure him of my blissed-out state of mind. “I’m better than okay. Thank you kindly for asking.”

“I’m glad, sugar.” He winks before facing the road. “I have to admit, you’re taking the pregnancy much better than I expected.”

“Same. I’ve done flabbered my ghasts.” I giggle softly, then flop against the headrest, craning my neck toward him. I could stare at his profile forever and never get enough of it. “Especially how I flew off the handle after we had the accident. When I look back on that night, I’m so embarrassed. I wasn’t exactly stable.”

“Considering what you learned about your birth mother, your reaction made perfect sense. Religious trauma aside, nobody wants to repeat the cycles of their parents.” His features harden a smidgen.

Needing to touch him, I loop my arm around his elbow without yanking his grip off the wheel. “So glad you’re man enough to put up with my psychological baggage.”

His head pitches backward. “I’m not exactly the poster child for mental health stability.”

“Hush your mouth.” I squeeze his bicep affectionately. “Speaking of which... are you nervous?”

“Yes, but you’ll be with me, so I know I’ll be fine.”

It’s the day for appointments.

His first therapist session is in a few hours, and we just left the obstetrician’s office. I’m pleased as punch to report that everything looks good with the pregnancy. Because of my unique circumstances, the doctor whipped out an ultrasound machine and did an internal scan right there in the office like it was nothing. Said she wanted to ease my mind after all the trauma.

Bless her heart.Genuinely.

The sounds of the heartbeat filling the tiny room will live in my memories for years. Didn’t know I could love something on first sound alone.

One of Redleg’s finest follows in the car behind us, providing an extra layer of protection. Since Sawyer knows about the pregnancy, Tomer tapped him for backup duties. We’re swinging by headquarters for lunch and to pick up his fiancée, Sammy. She sees the same therapist, so we scheduled back-to-back appointments later this afternoon. For logistical reasons. Can’t be running off to therapy without reinforcements when the mafia is out to get you.

Grinning at Tomer like a goober, I whisper, “I’m so proud of you, babe.”

“Right back at ya, sugar tits.”

A boisterous laugh erupts from my chest. He’s not usually one for silly names. I love it when he surprises me with something so blatantly out of character and lighthearted.

Given all the bullshit surrounding us, I live for these jovial moments with him.

A few nights ago, he told me he knew about Viktor’s email, having discussed it with Mia and Klein. I had my apology and explanation ready to go, but I didn’t need it. He wasn’t mad and never doubted my reasoning for hiding it. He knew it was to protect him, plain and simple.

More to my surprise, the whole situation hasn’t decimated his near-constant happiness. I expected him to break down or demand to see the photos for himself. After that, I figured he’d shoot his way into Viktor’s mansion and drag him out by his hair.

Yet he didn’t do any of that. Instead, he was relieved he could comfort me, even if he didn’t know why I needed it.

Sadly, the email hasn’t yielded much proof. Without me corroborating what Viktor said about Big Al’s eyes or identifying him in those photos, there isn’t much they can do with it. Whoever sent it is talented at hiding their digital tracks. Whether it’s Viktor or someone working to take him down, we don’t know.

My rambling thoughts remind me of something I keep meaning to ask him. “Oh, you didn’t tell me what Shep said about Yuri. Did he share any new information? Is he Yev’s father?”

Tomer’s jaw clicks. “When Shep asked whether he was his father, Yuri’s answer was something like...there arelots of ways to be someone’s father.” He throws a smirk at me. “Helpful, huh?”

My knee starts bouncing. “I don’t know the man. Wouldn’t recognize him if he were in front of my face. But I’d sure love to dip him in honey and shove his head into an anthill.”

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