Page 34 of Unexpected Redemption

Her delicate fingers run over the collar, happiness dusting her features. She radiates joy when she looks up at him, a tiny sway in her shoulders. “Thanks. It’s new. It was a gift.” Beautiful blue eyes shine in my direction. Hers, not Shep’s.

He grips my shoulder with his free hand, pulsing to just shy of pain. Fucker. “Excellent choice, T.”

Then he’s gone, bopping down the hall.

My eyes fall back to my love. “I should head in there. What did we decide about the job?”

“Shoot. Sorry for holding you up.”

“It’s okay. You come first. Always.”

Her cheeks flush, little specks of red spreading. “I want to do it. Try it, at least. Would that be okay with you?”

“Sugar, you don’t need my permission. If you think you’re up to it or want to try, I’m on board. There’s no safer place for you to work. Ever. My only concern is regarding your emotional health. You know yourself better than anyone. It’s up to you to decide if you’re ready.”

Lettie flings her arms around my waist, wrapping me in a bear hug and pressing her cheek against my chest. “I love you. Thank you, babe.”

Holding her close, I kiss the top of her head and whisper, “Love you too.”

“This is actually a relief. His offer, I mean. I was starting to worry about money. I don’t know if or when I’ll be able to go back to Bask. There’s a lot of baggage there because of the whole Vanessa shit. And knowing Lenkov’s guys were there asking around about me is a bit much. This will be a good opportunity for now, and it’ll help me get some experience for future career opportunities.”

That’s the first time she’s mentioned her apprehension about Bask. I’ve had a hunch she might not be comfortable there for a while. I didn’t want to ask her. Why bring up something irrelevant? I certainly have no plans to return, and I told Dante to remove me from the schedule until further notice. After everything that happened with Lettie and now the Lenkov situation, playing at a kink club is so far down the list it may as well not be there.

“Lettie, I have no problem assuming financial responsibility. Don’t rush to get a job because of money, okay? And never feel bad about asking me for anything you want.” I pull back from her hold slightly, working my fingers around the collar to give it a scant tug. “This lovely thing around your neck means I’ll care for you and provide anything you need. Remember?”

Guess I can finally get her a debit card tied to my account with her name on it. Been wanting to do that for a fucking year now.

“Yes.” She sucks in a gulp of air, possibly fighting back the emotions. “And doyouremember that list I was keeping of everything I owe you?”

“I deleted it a long time ago.”

Her still-clinging grip on my waist intensifies. And keeps tightening. To the point of pain.

“Lettie, are you trying to hurt me?” I grit out, voice labored and oxygen capacity deteriorating.

“Love hurts sometimes,” she jokes, releasing her grip. “You’re a shithead, but I love you.”

“You’re a brat, but I love you.”

Her hair is mussed on one side where she was leaning against me, so I fork my fingers through it to tame the wild locks. “Are you good to go now?”

“Yeah. I am. Thank you.” She clasps her hands in front of her waist and sways her shoulders. “I’ll be at Peggy’s desk, seeing what I can learn before she bails. I have a call with Simone this afternoon, and I’ll discuss it with her. Since Boss Dad didn’t want me to decide today, if he asks why I’m over there, I’ll tell him I’m watching Peggy to see if it’s something I could do. Just a tiny white lie.”

“Big Al will soon learn no one tells Violet Holt what to do and gets away with it. Not even him.”

“Hmm. You make me sound like a badass. Perhaps Shepshouldbe afraid to wrong me.”

A deep laugh vibrates my chest. “Sugar bear, everyone should be afraid of that.”

Chapter 6

Who's your daddy, and what does he do?

TOMER

Don’t you just love that delightful feeling you get when you suspect you interrupted people talking about you?

All eyes shoot in my direction when I enter the lair. Gathered in a cluster, Mia, Klein, and Shep resemble a bunch of squirrels burying their nuts for the winter.

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