Page 256 of Bossy Hero

Time freezes. The world goes dark as if a shroud covers me.

I can barely see or hear as Alan is divested of his weapons and Lenkov is handed a gun.

Alan’s gun.

The urge to run from the room slams into me, stealing the oxygen from my lungs and practically hurling me toward the door. My feet and legs thrum with energy as adrenaline sparks to life my fight-or-flight instinct. And we all know which one of those is my preferredmodus operandi.

But I don’t run. And I don’t hide.

I don’t back against the wall or curl into the fetal position.

I don’t even take comfort in the arms of the others.

My instincts scream at me to do all those things.

But this time, I refuse.

I stay here, letting hope shine a light inside the darkness threatening to overwhelm me.

Over the thrashing of blood behind my ears, some of what Alan’s kids are saying comes through. Although I have no clue who says what.

“Fucking traitor.”

“What do you mean there’s no SWAT called in?”

“This has Katia’s name written all over it. Where is she? Find her!”

“Team, double-time it to the engine room corridor. Patterson has a gun on Boss, and he’s freed Lenkov.”

“Bigsby’s almost to the marina.”

“No, no, no. I just met him. I can’t lose him.”

That one’s Lettie.

The sheer terror braided into her tone shakes me into the present, yanking me out of the haze.

I blink, and my vision locks on her. She hangs onto the back of Tomer’s chair like it’s the only thing keeping her upright. Apparently, he returned to his desk to assist when I was in that inky mist.

My motherly instincts compel me to comfort Lettie. She needs one right now.

Scratch that. I’m not merelycompelledto soothe her. I’mthrustby the damn mama bear that Alan swears dwells inside me.

Maybe he was right.

And he better find a way out of this mess so I can tell him that.

I keep one eye on the screen where he’s in a standoff with an evil monster and a dickbag detective.

Sparing my daughter a quick glance to ensure she’s steady, I stride toward Lettie. On the way, I pass Sue, who’s standing like she’s made of stone.

“Sammy,” I whisper, then tip my head at Sue, giving my daughter wordless instructions.

She reacts instantly, dashing to comfort her sister-in-law. They’ll be fine if they stick together.

In the shelter of others, we will persevere.

Once I reach Lettie’s side, I place my hand on her middle back. “Come here, darling.”

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