Page 72 of Unexpected Redemption

She manages to keep her composure, forcing away her brewing emotion. “How are you doing with your healing?”

“Honestly, I’m way better than I expected.”

The corner of Stella’s mouth wobbles with a budding smile. “Yeah?”

“Mm-hmm.” My nods grow more emphatic, tears pooling. Not of sadness or regret. Happy tears. “I can eat and drink pretty much anything if I know who gives it to me. I’m not having anynightmares. Panic attacks are few and far between.” I motion around the room again, embracing my inner hand model since I’m powerless to stop it. “And as you might could tell, I can be alone in a room now.”

“Oh, Lettie,” Freya gushes, no longer stifling her reaction. “I’m so proud of you. I wish I could give you a big fat hug.”

“That’s great, Lettie.” Stella fights through a grimace. “I am not commenting on the other thing, but I will say you do look happy. And I’m proud of you.” She looks at me from under her brow. “For the healing.”

“Stella, he loves me, and I know you haven’t seen it yet, but he treats me like I’m his entire world. He’s my person, and I love him so damn much. With my whole heart.”

“And all three nipples?” Freya quips.

We break out in a mini giggle fit.

Even Stella cracks a little.Then she tosses her head back with a groan. “Damn it, Lettie. I want to hug your faceandbeat your ass.”

“Well, maybe you can come here and do that.”

They share a knowing look.

Stella smiles—actuallysmiles at me. “Like now? We could have Reacher bring us up there.”

Oh yeah. Jonesy is watching them today. That would be perfect. I’ll tell Tomer when he gets done with...

Damn, damn, double damn.

Catching myself before I agree, I whine, “Dang it. Can’t tonight. Tomorrow would be better. There’s a wholethinghappening downstairs.”

“A thing? What thing?” Freya needles, the nosy nelly.

“You remember the tall Russian guy from the club? The one who...” I let my words trail off.

With a solemn air, she dips her chin in a slow nod.

“Well, Tomer and his Redleg hot guy gang caught him today. I watched it on their chest cams. It was pretty forking cool.”

Pride? Is that you filling my chest? Nice.

“Anyhow, they’ve got him here, and they’re getting all his horrid secrets about the mafia out of him by whatever means necessary. I optednotto watch that part.”

As soon as the words are out, I throw my hands over my mouth to stop myself from saying more than I already have. Probably shouldn’t be casually talking about that like it’s no big deal. I’ll have to swear them to secrecy.

Freya’s face takes on a maniacal glow. “James... err Tomer has gone full Liam Hemsworth again, huh?”

Stella’s neck twists at an achingly slow pace until she’s throwing her knife eyes at Freya. “Neeson! For the last time, his name is Liam Neeson. Daddy Neeson is also acceptable.”

Freya thrusts her thumb over her shoulder in Stella’s direction three times. “I’ve been fucking with her about that for two weeks.” The snort that comes out of her is positively contagious. I snort my laugh right along with her.

And when Stella joins in, we’re essentially a bunch of hogs cutting up in a conference room.

The classiest of ladies.

Chapter 14

Ten perfect steps

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