Page 157 of Unexpected Redemption

“What kind of files?” Leo asks.

Always trying to learn from her, Klein leans closer to her screen. “How did you restore them?”

“I’ll show you later,” she tells him, then looks across the table to Lionheart. “I need a minute to figure them out. They look like...”

No one speaks. Not even Sawyer.

It’s a Christmas miracle in August.

“Huh.” Mia’s head kicks back, and she blinks a few times before putting us out of our misery. “I think they’re cargo ship routes.”

“From Miami?” Boss asks, his thoughts likely mirroring mine.

She clicks her mouse twice, then nods slowly. “Yep. From South America and Europe. Even Africa. All going through Miami.”

Lettie brushes her shoulder against mine and whispers, “What does that have to do with this?”

“Somebody in the bratva is movingmerchandiseof some sort through Miami. Could be weapons. Drugs.”

“People,” Boss adds, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Does this mean the jump drive came from someone who works at the port?” she asks.

“Maybe or maybe not,” Mia answers. “I’ll need more time to find out.”

“Well, this was ahelluvafirst debrief for me,” Lettie quips, her voice cheery. “Crooked politicians, names of potential trafficking customers, a dirty dog Undersheriff, mystery files, and cargo ship routes.” She beams at her father. “Are all your meetings this exciting?”

“Only those that don’t end with someone barging in, claiming to be my long lost daughter.”

She winks at him. “Touché, pops. Touché.”

Chapter 35

No more Nofunfuck

LETTIE

Lettie’s Happily Ever After Log: Day Four.

Food sources are plentiful and delicious as hell, thanks to Madeline Mason. Laughs are constant. The bed is moderately comfortable, but the man sharing it with me more than makes up for any lumps.

Redleg is my happy home.

Well, not likepermanently. It’s my home away from home for the time being. I’ve got no complaints about any of that. Nor about my temporary roommates.

Boss and Madeline have stayed at HQ each night, exactly as I guilt-tripped him into doing. Partly because I aim to make sure he doesn’t double back on his promise to get to know me. Plus, I want them safe. So far, he’s made good on his pledge to me.

While he’s not an open book, he’s eating up everything I share with him about my life. I’m itching to ask about that flowery tattoo. Unfortunately, I keep chickening out.

Not sure why.

Something tells me it’s not a topic he’ll want to discuss. No clue why, but I’m trusting my intuition and waiting. Let’s see if my gut is as reliable as his. It’s never been before, but perhaps it’s a dormant genetic trait that only activates when in close proximity to the source.

Boss and Madeline aren’t staying with the rest of us on the first floor ofHotel Redleg. They’re in the penthouse. Turns out, the couch in his office folds out. After agreeing to sleep at HQ, he had me order one of those comfy pads to go on top of it.

Whether or not he meant for me to order another one for the bed Tomer and I have been sleeping in, I’m unsure. But I did it anyway.

I got an even thicker cushion for Sammy and Sawyer’s bed too. She needs it. Poor thing. Can’t believe she’s still got a month to go before her due date. She looks like she’s twelve years pregnant. Bless her heart.

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