Page 43 of Unexpected Redemption

Glancing at the corner of Peggy’s computer monitor, I note the time. “My video appointment with her isn’t for another two hours.”

With a subtle shake of his head, he says, “As much as I’d like to insist you wait, I have a sneaky suspicion nothing I say will help.”

Peggy chortles quietly.“You saw how she came in here the other day, Boss. Quite stubborn this one.”

My cheeks grow ruddy, and I bite my lip to hold back a snarky retort.

A deep grumble comes from his chest. “Definitely my daughter.” He taps his knuckles on the corner of the desk. “I’m going over there so they can explain why staging a mission to capture a perp in broad daylight is a good idea.”

No amount of lip biting can hold back my question. “Capture? Perp?”

His lips turn white from how firmly he presses them together. “Yeah. They found Yev.”

It’s not a lump that lodges in my throat, but an entire friggin’ mountain. My right knee starts bobbing frantically, and I glance down the hall and back to Big Al about twenty-seven times.

He notices my reaction. “Relax, kid. He’ll be fine.”

“He’s going?” I squeak out around my throat mountain, scooting to the edge of my chair as if I’m about to bolt.

His broad shoulders raise in a slow shrug. “That’s what I’m gonna find out.”

Speechless, I watch him bustle off.

If Tomer has a chance to go after Yev, I’m sure he’ll take it. Never been more certain of anything.

I suspect Peggy knows that my training has been cut short. Reaching over, she taps my forearm, drawing my attention back to her comforting face. “Want to order some food? Did you bring something to eat? It’s lunchtime.”

Hungry as I’ve been for the last few hours, I can’t seem to find my appetite. Instead of answering, I ask a question of my own. “Do you ever listen in to those types of discussions?”

“Only if he asks me to, which is rare.”

I expel my breath in a huff. “Bummer.”

“I can’t pretend to understand what you’re going through, sweetheart.” Her mocha eyes swirl with compassion. “But they are highly skilled. Boss doesn’t let them get carried away. He’ll keep them safe.”

Her words only partially smooth my tumultuous fears.

“Worrying about Tomer’s safety is one thing. And I am quite concerned. Most definitely. For the others too,” I confess, daring to let go of another admission. “I want to see it for myself. Whatever they do to him. In fact, I wish I could go along.”

The wrinkles around her mouth deepen with her concerned scowl. “Oh no, sweetie. You don’t. Not only will it be dangerous,but seeing something like that could be harmful to your recovery.”

“Yev is one of the guys who abducted me from that club. And he...hurtme.” I widen my eyes to convey my meaning, my jaw clicking. “Badly. I deserve vengeance of my own, or at a minimum, I deserve to witness it.”

Whether I can handle that is another story.

Is little old sugar-sweet Lettie the type of girl who could stomach watching anyone get hurt? Even if he deserves it? Because let’s be real, if Tomer goes, he’s going to hurt Yev. Especially after what he saw on that recording.

Then again, I’m not the same Lettie I was before they dragged me into that nightmare house.

Instead of breaking my spirit, they unleashed a new side of me. One who’s far less fragile.

Of course, I’m still Lettie. They didn’t destroy the good parts of me—my loyalty, forgiveness, and kindness. And by all means, they didn’t and will never take my happiness.

Yet there’s nothing stopping me from blending the old me with the new and emerging a better version. One daring enough to look her abuser in the face and smile when they take him away.

Perhaps Peggy can track the thoughts racing through my mind because her expression shifts from protective grandmother to resigned acceptance. Crinkles and creases by her eyes, mouth, and forehead all release and soften, and her jaw hangs slack.

“You’re so much like him. No DNA test required.”

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