Page 56 of Unexpected Hero

“Thanks, Stella. You’re the best.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just don’t get yourself attached to a Saint Andrew’s Cross tonight or collared. Sending you some books now. I know a few that were written by authors experienced with the lifestyle. Give me a few minutes for links to reputable kink sites. And for the love of God, text me when you get back from your uh... interview.”

Bringing my flattened hand to the side of my forehead, I give her another mock salute. “Yes, ma’am.”

Note to self: Google Zade Meadows, Emerson Grant, and Saint Andrew’s Cross.

Chapter 11

See me

TOMER

This is a bad idea.

Quite possibly the worst idea I’ve had in my life.

To be fair, I haven’t had many bad ideas since I’m cautious by nature. But a few terrible decisions have been made in my thirty-six years.

This one makes them all pale in comparison.

I see the train coming down the tracks, but I’m too damn stubborn to get out of the way. I’m determined to fight the locomotive with nothing but my willpower.

But it’s a freaking train. Ten thousand tons of steel barreling toward me at fifty miles per hour.

And here I am, willingly driving across town to lie across the tracks.

I talked myself out of seeing her no less than thirteen times today — yes, I counted. And each time, I convinced myself it would be fine. Best idea ever.

Sometimes, wanting something to be true is all the ammunition you need to take a shot. Humans are weak-minded. A fault of our design.

We can convince ourselves of anything given the right motivation. And the way I’m craving more time with Lettie is all the motivation I need to toss all my good sense into the toilet and flush.

I’m nine minutes away from Lettie’s hotel when my phone rings. I take a quick glance at the display on my console, and my throat tightens.

“Hey, Boss. What’s up?”

“You’re unusually chipper tonight. I swung by your office, but you weren’t there.”

“Sorry. I have something to take care of. Is there an emergency?”

“Not an emergency. But an opportunity.”

“Go on.”

“Remember the Amos stalker job?”

“Sadly, yes.”

Millie Fucking Amos and the birth of Chuck Nofunfuck. Grr.

“I had a meeting with the Langley siblings late today.”

“And?”

Come on, Boss. Get to the fucking point. I have a date with your daughter.

“They asked for a consult on a security system for their new foundation.”

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