Page 106 of Bossy Hero

Tomer breezes past Maddie, making a beeline for the young woman in the hallway.

His earlier words replay in my mind.I love her.

I sure as shit hope she loves him enough in return to forgive him. He better yank his head out of his ass and fall to his knees to grovel for her forgiveness.

Approaching quickly, Maddie catches my gaze. “Your daughter would like to speak to you before she leaves.”

Ofallthe damn days...

I’m quickly coming to realize that parents don’t get to choose when their kids need their attention. Unlike the ones down the hall, I can’t tell this one to fuck off until it’s a better time.

Not that I would. Especially after all she’s been through.

Ready or not, it’s time to meet my daughter.

Chapter17

Sweet child of (not) mine

Maddie

Thus far, the best part of learning that Alan’s a father is how it takesallthe focus off me. In life, you have to take the wins when and where you get them.

I was resting on the sofa in Alan’s office when I heard the commotion in the conference room. So I poked my nose down there just in time to hear the bomb drop. And it sure did.

Like it did on Hiroshima.

After quickly squeezing Alan’s hand for a bit of silent support, I face the doorway, my eyes searching for that little darling Lettie so I can introduce them. Wearing a gentle smile, I motion for her to come closer.

Same as when I escorted her to the bathroom a few moments ago, I’m struck by how similar her eyes are to Alan’s. It’s uncanny.

Not suggesting Alan would try to deny paternity, but even if he wanted to, he’d fail before they swabbed her cheek. Add in her obvious strength, and this is an open-and-shut case. Let’s face it—regardless of her horrible timing, it took chutzpah to walk into a room full of strangers and announce herself the way she did. From what I’ve seen in her thus far, she’s got his formidable spirit.

So yeah. Like it or not, Alan has a daughter.

Lettie takes a tentative step. Then another. Her eyes dart nervously around the room, occasionally shooting toward Alan before instantly bouncing her gaze in the opposite direction.

Petrified darling. After all she’s been through, I don’t blame her.

She needs some encouragement, and since Alan’s impersonating a tree trunk, I do the honors. Inching a few steps toward her, I attempt to ease her mind. “Come on in, dear. You’ll find his bark is far worse than his bite.”

I only guide Lettie a single step past Tomer before he stops us in our tracks. “Wait.”

“What are you doing?” Lettie whisper-scolds him.

“What I should have done a long time ago,” he answers, his tone layered with conviction.

Grasping her by the hand, Tomer marches her right up to her father. His steps are bold, and his head is raised high.

Atta boy.

He may have buttered the wrong side of the bread, but he’s trying to make it right.

A spark of pride fills me. I glance at Alan, wondering if he feels the same. However, it’s entirely possible he’s too blinded by his justifiable anger to be proud.

Tomer meets Alan’s stare head-on. “I’d like to introduce you to your daughter, Violet Anastasia Holt. She’s the sweetest, kindest, most loving person I’ve ever known. She’s strong like you. Forgiving and loyal like you. And as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. She’s been through some shit lately, so go easy on her. But I know you’re gonna love her. Everyone does.”

I’m not gonna cry. Nope.

---