Page 1 of Unexpected Redemption

Chapter 1

Summa cum sumthin’

TOMER

It’s taken a while, but I’ve finally identified the fluttery sensation under my chest. When I wake in the morning, it’s there. And when my eyelids drift closed, it remains. An almost constant companion, leaving me warm and satisfied. Since it’s arrived, it’s easier to smile or laugh and harder to lose my cool. And it’s nearly impossible to feel lonely. Because this emotion persists.

It’s . . . happiness.

Not the simplistic version of the emotion. This is more than someone telling me a nice story or something good happening to me. This is a bone-deep contentment that permeates my every thought.

Every breath. Every moment.

As cliché as it may sound, I’m becoming a whole new man. All thanks to the woman humming to herself beside me.

Sitting cross-legged, Lettie spins her chair in circles. “What do the cops say about all this?”

I stop typing, craning my neck to look at her. “All of what?”

My hungry eyes eat up the sight of her hair fluttering as she twirls freely with her head hanging over the chair’s back. Only three days at Redleg, and she’s entirely at ease. Possibly a bit bored, hence the chair spinning, but comfortable.

And I fucking love it.

Not having to hide her from my Redleg life or conceal any part of myself from her is so damn freeing. Hell, I could probably levitate down the hall as if I were filled with helium.

Klein and Mia left about an hour ago. There are a handful of people working at HQ at this hour. But it’s relatively quiet. Lettie came in here a little while ago to hang out with me while I wrap up today’s work items.

It’s a nice change to have her with me while I’m working. For the most part, she’s spent the last few days getting to know people at Redleg, keeping busy with odd tasks and helping where she can. She also spends quiet time in our bunk room when she needs it and takes her daily therapy video calls to keep up with her trauma healing.

Lettie puts a foot down to halt her spinning, gesturing to the project board along the wall. “Do they know you’re digging up evidence and doing their jobs?”

Chewing on the inside of my cheek, I push away from my desk and stretch over my head. “It’s complicated.” To give us a little privacy, I close the office door then return to my seat.

“And you don’t think I’m smart enough to understand?”

Glowering facetiously, I shake my head at her. “That’s not what I meant.”

“You sure? Is it the accent?” She lays her twang on thick. “Just ‘cause I sound dumb as a doornail, don’t mean I is. I know things. I is smart.”

Chuckling, I pat my lap. “Come here, sugar bear.”

She leans forward, angling her neck to feign peeking into the hall. “What if Boss Dad comes in? He might send us to bed without supper.”

“I’ll keep it office appropriate. I need you closer.”

“Shouldn’t you be working?”

I glance at the monitors. “I just finished making some enhancements to the program I’m running. I need a break and want my girl.”

The moment her bratty side springs to life, it dances behind her eyes like wildfire. My dick’s instantly on notice.

She stands, drawing her palms along her hips to highlight her curves. Those fucking jeans are almost as lethal as her sundresses. “Closer, huh?”

Attempting to add some heat to my tone, I make a show of being irritated. “Lettie, get the fuck over here. Now.”

She takes a big step backward.“So not this way, right?”

Cricking my index finger at her, I stifle a growl. The urge to chase her comes out of nowhere. Odd. Never had a primal kink. Wonder if we should try that.

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