Page 143 of Unexpected Redemption

Over the pounding of my heart, I barely make out Big Al yapping into his cell. No clue what it’s about. I’m relatively certain Klein’s on a call with the cops. Sue is hyperventilating somewhere behind me, and Sammy attempts to comfort her. Bless her heart. Sounds unsuccessful.

A warm palm rubs gentle circles in the center of my back. I suspect it’s Kri offering me her support after what we witnessed seconds ago.

All I can do is stand here. I’m as still as a statue.

At some point, Kri moves in front of me. A shaky breath escapes, deflating my chest in a rush. The blasting air conditioner inside the lair batters my widened eyes, drying out my contact lenses.Eventually, I blink.

Once.

Is this real? Can it be over?

Is Viktor actually dead?

Two gunshots. That’s all it took.

And I no longer have to fear him. I won’t need to sit through a trial and testify against that hideous beast. It’s simplydone.

Because of Tomer.

My freaking hero.Again.

If I wasn’t already pregnant, I would be by the end of the night. I’m gonna jump his bones so flipping hard tonight. After I comfort him.

Yeah. Comfort first. Then bone jumping. Solid plan.

“Lettie, are you okay?” Kri grips my upper arms, jostling me a tad. “Everything will be fine. Don’t worry, sweetie. He’s safe. You’re safe.”

I blink for only the second time in three minutes, then focus on her concerned face, noting the scrunched-up skin over the bridge of her nose.

When I speak, it’s as poignant a statement as you’d expect. “He killed him.”

Poet Laureate. Astute surmiser. Gifted orator. Expert conversationalist. Toastmasters world champ.

All things that will never be said about me.

“Yeah. He did,” Kri answers, her tone soft and steady. “But he saved Katia. You also saw that, right? He didn’t have a choice. It was the right thing to do.”

She’s talking to me like I’m an excitable poodle needing doggie Xanax. Given the way I freaked out earlier, I guess it’s warranted.

Snapping out of my trance, I resume normal blinking and breathing behavior. “I’m good, Kri. I saw it. I saw it all.” Wrapping her in a warm hug, I offer a recap she doesn’t need. “Tomer killed the monster to save the pregnant woman. He’s a hero.”

She pulls out of the hug a few seconds later, gazing at me with both of her brows raised to the ceiling. “You sure you’re okay?”

“I ain’t upset. I’m just shocked is all. Relieved he’s okay. As for Viktor, that sumbitch finally got what was coming to him.”

Kri darts her eyes from left to right as if searching for an explanation, and her upper right cheek twitches. “You are something else, kid. No question who your father is.” Releasing my arms, she pats my shoulder twice before dropping her hands.

Mia tosses a look at me, her lips splayed in a beaming smile. “You sure you’re okay, Lettie? Tomer’s asking about you. What should I tell him?”

Without hesitating, I stride over and lean close to the microphone on her headset. “I love you, babe.”

I’d like to gush about how proud I am, but that’ll come later. If I reveal how thrilled I am that he killed Viktor, I might get dirty looks around the office. Best they continue thinking of me as sugar-sweet.

Big Al ends his call and addresses the room. “I’m going to meet with CPD and our teams at the scene. Klein, what do you have on the delivery truck so far?”

“According to the license plate, it was reported stolen a few days ago. But I’m still pursuing it with the drone, hoping Katia doesn’t get far.”

I whip over to view his screen, noticing for the first time how he’s still heavily engaged in the mission.Oops. I’d all but checked out and was dancing the “Ding Dong the Dick is Dead” celebration jig fromThe Wizard of Oz.Or however the song goes. I’m not good with details.

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