Page 111 of Bossy Hero

However, our situation has another complication now. He’ll need time to bond with his daughter. He’s got a lot to make up for. An entire life missed.

Tragic.

He should be worried about her rather than being hung up on protecting me or concerned about whether I’m finally ready for our someday.

I expel all the air from my lungs, rolling out my shoulders. The surge of pain from the gunshot wound makes me flinch, and air hisses through my teeth. “This is exactly what every menopausal woman needs. More aches and pains.”

Sammy’s former manic energy returns, only this time it’s tinged with anger. “I can’t freaking believe they shot you. Fuckers. Thank fuck Big Al killed the hit man. Those bastards need to be stopped. And every time I think about those poor girls in the trafficking house, I want to rage.”

“Alan’s daughter was one of those girls,” I mutter, shaking my head in a fog of disgust and sadness. “Poor sweet darling. Although we didn’t know she was his daughter at the time, Alan and I were just talking about her last night at dinner before the...”

I don’t finish that sentence. The memories are starting to sting. The panic I felt, and the visions it triggered. One minute I’m getting shot at in a parking lot, and the next I’m back in time with Travis waving a gun around.

A chill runs through me, and my stomach flip-flops. Guilt weighs me down, making it hard to move.

Oblivious to my inner turmoil, Sammy starts pacing. As she stomps around Sawyer’s desk, she massages her lower back.

Can’t believe my baby is having twins.

I’d much rather think about that. So much to look forward to.

“Turn around, love. I’ll rub your back while you BPM.”

She trudges toward me. “What’s BPM? Beats per minute?”

“Bitch, piss, and moan.”

She snickers. In front of me now, she leans on the edge of Sawyer’s desk, giving me a decent angle for a little one-handed massage. “BPM. I like it. Big Al’s term?”

“Yeah. Occasionally, he tries to censor his potty mouth around me. He’s coming up with acronyms now.”

She releases a dainty sigh as I rub her tender muscles. “Does he treat you right? Is he good to you? Does he make you happy?”

I don’t answer right away, but a smile gradually engulfs my entire face. She tosses a curious look over her shoulder at me, glimpsing my love-filled expression.

“Look at your face.Aw, you love him,” she says wistfully. “That’s good. I’m happy for you. You deserve someone who treats you like a queen.”

“Do you think Leo will be okay with it?”

“I won’t bullshit you. He’s butt hurt that you both hid it, and he was already butt hurt about Tomer doing the rescue op without him. So that’s double the ass pain. Both cheeks spread. No lube. Giant spiked dildo.”

“Mouth, child,” I scold, widening my eyes at her.

She ignores me. “As for the actual relationship, Leo will give you his seal of approval. Boss is the only one who could protect you better than him, so naturally, he’ll be psyched.”

“Okay, dear. I’ll talk to him later.”

“Well, since you didn’t have a ready-to-go reason for hiding it from everyone when I asked a few minutes ago, you might want to work on that before you bring it up with the big guy. Just my two cents. Maybe enlist Sue to help you win him over, if necessary.”

“Thanks for not being angry at me for hiding this from you.”

She straightens her body, slowly turning around to face me. “What kind of self-righteous, fuck-face, dick-wad, hypocritical, ass-goblin weasel do you take me for?”

“Language, Samantha,” I chide playfully, failing to quash my laughter.

After cackling with me for a beat, she grows serious and kisses me on the top of my head before returning to the chair beside me. “Mom, I’m serious. I’d be a real shit to hold your harmless, piddly secret against you. First-class hypocrite.”

Her voice grows shaky, a quiver that showcases her building emotions over her past. “At leastyoursituation didn’t hurt the ones you love most in the world. And those who love you. Leo will get over it. I mean, it’s not like we have to have a fake funeral over your lie. No one will think you’re dead or be forced to grieve for years in vain overyourdishonesty. So no, I’m not the least bit angry with you about this shit with Big Al. In fact, I’m happy for you both.”

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