Page 112 of Bossy Hero

“Darling, don’t do that.” I grab her hand, repeating the comforting gesture she used on me earlier. “We’ve forgiven you. Stop beating yourself up. If anything, that was on me more than you.”

Her head snaps backward, and her eyes bulge. “How thehellwas that on you?”

“Samantha, don’t play dumb to ease my guilt. If I hadn’t stayed with your father for all those horrible years, you wouldn’t have gone right out and found an even worse version of him. You’d have known that wasn’t how love should be.”

She huffs and puffs like the Big Bad Wolf, clearly disagreeing with my point. Then her ire fades, steadfast compassion overtaking her features. As much as she beats herself up for being a bitch—her words, not mine—she’s got a beautiful soul. Just like her brothers.

For all my mistakes, I didsomethingright with them.

Miraculously.

“Mom, when you think about why you stayed with Dad all those years, do you blame your mother?”

Oof. Didn’t need a kick to the gut like that, but I got it all the same.

Barely loud enough for her to hear, I respond with complete honesty. “Of course I don’t.”

“Exactly,” she replies in a whisper, her familiar blue eyes turning glassy with emotion. “So why would I blame you?”

Chapter18

Where are you registered?

Big Al

Going on thirty-six hours awake at this point. Fatigue came and went about twelve hours ago. My second and third winds blew by five hours later. And the brief nap I had with Maddie quite possibly propelled my sour mood into rancid territory.

I stare at the coffee maker, bracing myself with a harsh grip on the counter.

“Can I stay here this evening?” Maddie’s timid voice surprises me almost as much as her question. “I’d prefer not to sit around Redleg until the wee hours for the second night in a row.”

With my teeth grinding, I roll my neck to get the kinks out. A pointless endeavor since her simple question sends me right back into high-stress territory.

Once upon a time, I left someone I loved behind when they were vulnerable. I refuse to ever fucking do it again.

“Maddie, I need to keep you safe. I can’t do that if you aren’t with me.”

She tosses a dish towel on my kitchen counter and spins to face me. “I won’t leave the house.”

My eyes bulge. “You were fucking shot last night. Have you forgotten that?”

Gesturing to the bandages on her upper arm and shoulder sling, she rolls her eyes. “Oh, I’mwellaware.”

Shot because of me.

Add that to the guilt sandwich I’ll be gnawing on until the end of time.

I stride to her, settling my hands on her hips. The delicious aroma of brewing coffee perks me up a bit more with each step.

Coffee at 1700? Only on a day like this.

Lowering my face to hers, I keep my voice soft and sincere. “Maddie baby,please. For one more day, can you humor me?”

“If you don’t want me to stay here, then drop me off with the kids. Leo and Sawyer will protect me.”

I attempted to be productive at Redleg this afternoon. When I started resembling a zombie, Mia and Klein banished us from the lair, demanding we get some sleep while they started strategizing.

Rather than being pissed at them for trying to pull rank on me, I was secretly grateful. Last night’s fucktastrophe and this morning’s fuckery have taken their toll on me. Maddie too.

---