Page 150 of Unexpected Hero

Not now. And probably never again unless I figure out how to get over Boss’s secret daughter.

That’s so fucked up.

As I drive to the Sassy Parrot in absolute silence, I find myself wondering if I’m being punished for withholding this secret from Big Al and Lettie. Perhaps all this longing and anguish is what I deserve. Although it’s illogical to believe in something like that, the thought occasionally pops into my psyche.

But Lettie’s suffering too.

I thought I’d done the right thing by distancing myself from her these last few weeks.

Wrong.

That’s what I get for attempting to interact with people outside of work or the club.

No matter what I do, I hurt her. Whether I’m by her side or not.

Since I first learned of her existence, it’s been my mission to protect her from harm. And now I’m causing it. Not intentionally. But intent doesn’t matter if the result is the same.

About an hour after arriving at the bar, my knee jumps relentlessly under the high-top table with pent-up adrenaline.

My eyes scan the room, looking for Sammy. I wave her over to close out my tab. I can’t stay here any longer.

When Sammy gets to our table, she flops in the open chair across from me. “Someone save me from the creep in the corner.”

Sawyer and Leo trade glances, both of their frames stiffening.

“What creep?” Leo asks his sister.

Sawyer jumps in, using the top of his long-neck beer bottle to point toward the corner. “That guy with the shaggy brown hair, right?”

Sammy narrows her eyes at Sawyer. “Yeah, how did you know which one? There are like,” she pauses to wiggle her index finger around the room like she’s counting, “eighteen creeps in here tonight. Nineteen, if you count my brother.”

Leo drags his giant palm over her head, ruffling her blond hair.

“What did he say to you?” Sawyer asks, ignoring her question entirely, probably because he doesn’t want to admit he’s always watching her.

“He’s asked for my number four times so far.”

Leo stands. “Be right back.”

Sammy grabs his arm, holding him back. “No. Don’t.”

“What? I’ll just talk to him. He looks familiar.”

She rolls her eyes and tugs him back to the table, using all her might. “No, he doesn’t.”

Leo chuckles, letting her manhandle him despite towering over her. And everyone else.

“He does look familiar,” he lies. “I’m pretty sure I kicked his ass later tonight.”

Sawyer taps Leo on the shoulder. “No, you’re mistaken, Lionheart. He looks like the guy whose ass I kicked later tonight.” He glances at his watch. “Oh, and it’s about to happen right now.”

Moving swiftly, he darts from the table, evading Sammy’s attempt to stop him like she did her brother. He turns around and puts his hands up while taking small steps backward. “I’m just going to see if he’s the same guy. I really think it’s him. If it is, I should say hi. With my fist.”

Sammy puts her hands on her hips and stamps her foot. “I work on tips, Sawyer.”

He glances at the group of us at the table. “You know what to do, boys.”

As if on cue, we all pull out our wallets and toss our largest bills on the table for Sammy.

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