Page 205 of Bossy Hero

I have to look away. It’s far too much.

Rising to my feet, I announce, “I need time to think.”

I don’t wait for anyone to respond before hastily exiting the room. There’s no way I can make a decision in here with her looking at me like that. All hopeful and with eyes so much like mine.

And like Daniel’s.

Have I been denying the family resemblance until now? If so, to what end? So I could pretend she wasn’t my daughter, thus making our sad reality less painful? Or was it like looking into my brother’s eyes?

Once or twice before, Maddie’s mentioned how much Lettie looks like me. I always disregarded it as wishful thinking.

However, I see it now. Clear as a freshly washed windowpane.

Lettie’s my daughter.

I’ve known this all along, never doubted it. Or so I thought.

Turns out, I’ve been subconsciously denying the truth in some small way. Hiding from it as a defense mechanism.

Because this pain is fucking excruciating.

The travesty of what the Holts did is a brutal weapon, carving into me in ever-deepening wounds. Right when I think I’ve survived the final attack wave, another comes behind it, more powerful than the last. My injuries don’t have time to heal. There’s no time for my bleeding to slow or a clot to form.

I just keep hemorrhaging.

Maddie’s tendency to avoid conflict is so much more relatable. Despite never judging her for the impulse to run, I wasn’t entirely sure what it was like for her. After experiencing it firsthand, I realize it’s not something we can easily control.

It’s an instinct.

Even tonight, she succumbed to it. Rather than discussing our future, she gave in to the compulsion to cower from her feelings.

I won’t let her hide from our future. And I won’t allow myself to shy away from my own truth either.

Decision made.

Unless it’s too big of a safety risk, we’re going to Georgia. My daughter and I will get the answers we deserve.

Fuck hiding.

Chapter37

Tossing salads

Big Al

A week later - Climax, Georgia

Jonesy folds his large frame into the driver’s seat of the SUV, grumbling under his breath. “It’s muggy as fuck here.”

As soon as he starts the ignition, I mash theMax A/Cbutton. “Didn’t realize how much I’d miss the sea breeze.”

“Don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone, huh?” He clicks his tongue, shaking his head despondently. “Story of my fucking life.”

I’m tempted to prompt him to talk about whatever’s bothering him—it’s clear he’s not enjoying our trip to this Podunk town. However, I let it simmer for now. It might sound selfish, but I have my own fucking emotional shit to deal with tonight.

Junior jumps into the back seat, rounding out our trio.

I crane my neck to look at him. “You ready, kid?”

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