Page 108 of Unexpected Hero

I have no clue what’s upset her so much, and I can’t fathom how to fix it. But one thing is for sure, something changed in Lettie tonight. And it’s changing me too.

With my forehead still pressed against the cold metal of her door, I attempt to sort my turbulent thoughts.

Why is she so hostile and sorrowful at the same time? It was as if something broke inside her tonight. Somehow, I’m to blame.

Was getting her a job at the club a mistake? Did she see something she wishes she didn’t? Is she mad at me for exposing her to that part of my world? Did I taint her innocence?

A headache at the base of my skull forms as I’m pelted with dozens of questions and not a single answer.

I never touched another woman tonight, and I didn’t watch any scenes for sexual gratification. All night long, I walked the floor as if I were on duty, occasionally talking to some of the regulars. Aside from when I searched for her in the back room, I didn’t even go down the hallway past the private rooms.

The only reason I was at Bask was to ensure she was comfortable.

I went for her.

Was that a mistake? Would she have been more comfortable without me there?

This family would be better off without you, boy.

Perhaps Freya said something about me that upset her. She could’ve told her that we’ve scened together in the past. That might have upset Lettie.

I think.

If that’s what caused her distress, how do I fix it? I can’t change the past.

Or should I even try to right this ship?

This thing with her — this attraction — can’t go anywhere. Any connection with her was destined to end badly before it even began.

It’s for the best that I withdraw from her and avoid hurting her worse than I already have.

If you can’t learn how to talk to people like a normal kid, then shut your mouth.

Yeah. I need to step away before I’m forced to tell more lies in the interest of protecting her father.

I press off the door and drag myself to my car, keeping my eyes open and staying on guard for unexpected trouble. Once I’m driving away, I let my thoughts roll without holding them back.

I wish I could tell Big Al about her. She could use a father like him.

Especially now.

But he’s not ready for that.

With the lawsuit, the upcoming build-out of the security system, all the new bodyguards coming aboard, and the Langley S&D gig, he’s at max capacity for shit he can handle. It’d be cruel to dump news of this magnitude on his plate now.

He wouldn’t be able to give Lettie the time she needs. Time she’d want and deserve from him. He’d end up torn between getting to know her and getting the company back on track.

Once things stabilize, I’ll tell him.

For now, I’ll keep my distance from Lettie, protecting her from afar. Tonight, I spoke with enough of the Doms at the club about her. I trust them to look after her almost as closely as I would. Dante is watching out for her too.

I’ll speak with Freya and some of the other girls to see if anyone has a room for Lettie. Then I can disappear from her life entirely. I won’t even need to monitor her activity. It’ll be a clean break.

Redleg will bounce back, and when Boss is ready, I’ll bring them together. She’ll be angry at me, but ultimately, she’ll understand why I couldn’t pursue a physical relationship with her.

That’s the best I can do.

I wish it felt like enough.

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