Page 31 of Unexpected Redemption

My throat thickens with curiosity and trepidation. I glance over my shoulder at Shep. “Give us a minute.”

Taking Lettie by the hand, I guide her out of the office, looking for a little privacy.

“Bye, Shep,” she tosses over her shoulder before turning on her patented sass.“I’ll come back for another visit when Ican’tstay as long.”

Silly ass.

“Sorry again, Lettie,” he replies, an air of dejection in his tone. That’s much better than the smugness he normally exudes.

“Don’t let it happen again, or I’ll sic my daddy on you,” she teases.

With a smile I can’t repress, I place my hand on the small of her back, guiding us into an alcove down the hall.“Is everything okay?

She worries her bottom lip, her fingers twisting and fidgeting at her waist.“Um. Yes. I think.”

Taking both her hands in mine, I rub my thumbs over her knuckles and hold her eyes. “You’re safe. Breathe. I’m here.”

“You’re adorable.” She caresses my hands, her touch like the finest silk. “I’m not having a fear freak out. I’m nervous for a different reason and wanted to get your take on it.”

Surprise, surprise. I misinterpreted another situation. Fortunately, she’s used to that with me and loves me anyhow.

“What’s up?”

“Well, I was reading in our bunk room, and Peggy popped by.” Pausing, she gradually fills her lungs, adding to the suspense. “She told me Boss Dad wanted to see me if I had time.”

Strange.

“Okay. Did you go see him yet? Do you want me to go with you?”

“Stand down, sexy pants. I already did. Just left his office.”

“And?”

There’s a trill of nervousness in her reply. “He asked if I wanted to work here. Temporarily.”

My pulse instantly skyrockets like it’s jet-propelled. “Excuse me?”

“You’re excused,” she retorts, a cheeky grin on her face at her first opportunity to be snarky with me.

Her humor stalls my rising panic. “Sugar bear, explain. What’s the job? What did you say?”

Seriously considering running down the hall and asking Big Al what the fuck he’s thinking. Only thing is, I’m unsure if I’m mad about the job offer or that he didn’t speak to me about it first. Then again, he’s not talking to me about much of anything these days unless it directly pertains to our mission. Lettie isn’t my property, so he doesn’t need to clear any discussions he may have with her.

Still feels wrong, though.

“Thisis why I came to talk to you before answering.” Her glare sharpens, as does her tone. “You don’t like the idea of me working here, do you?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Your face says a lot, though.”

Life was much easier when no one knew what I was thinking or feeling.

“Lettie, that isn’t what this look is.” I release one of her hands to gesture at my face. “I’m confused because I didn’t know we had an opening and am wondering why he didn’t talk to me about it. However, he doesn’t have to clear anything with me, especially where you’re concerned. And you can work anywhere you want. So I don’t really have a reason to be upset. I’m surprised and mentally processing everything.”

Her features soften. “Oh. I see.” She steps closer, twisting a patch of fabric from the bottom of my shirt, tugging it toward her. “So you wouldn’t be mad if I worked here?”

The batting of her eyelashes is blatant manipulation. She’s finally reached her peak brat self-actualization level. I’m so fucked.

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