Page 9 of Nowhere to Run
Keith walked over and stood right in front of Jo, looking down at her.
“I have no plans to hurt her, Jo.For you to think that I’m that kind of guy really hurts.I would thinkyou,of all people, would know that I would never be that guy.I like Ashley, and I’m enjoying getting to know her.That’s all this is right now.But I’m not going to sit back and miss an opportunity to make a new friend because you’re worried I might fuck it up.”
Jo stood up, so I set my burger down and leaned back in my seat, ready to jump in if needed.The tension between them was thick, and I knew Jo didn’t react well to being talked to like that.
“I know what kind of person you are, which is why we’re still friends.You’ve been there through some difficult times in my life.But you don’t know what Ashley has been through.You don’t know the pain she’s suffered.You can’t blame me for wanting to protect her when no one in her life ever did.She’s been through a lot already, Keith.I don’t want to see her hurt, especially by someone I consider family.”
“I understand, Jo.My intentions are never to cause anyone harm.”
I watched as Jo’s eyebrow shot up, questioning that statement.
“Okay, okay,” he said as he lifted his hands in defense.“But any harm that I’ve caused anyone was only because I was doing my job, and the only people I hurt were the bad guys.”
Jo folded her arms over her chest and continued to stare at him.
“Everett was an exception.I didn’t have a choice.I was in too deep and had to play the part, Jo.You know that.”
“Well, I guess now that you quit that job, we don’t have to worry about that anymore.But I’m serious, Keith.Take things slow with Ashley.”
“I promise, I won’t hurt her.”
Jo nodded, then returned to her seat and started eating as if nothing had happened, while Keith went to the bar and sat down.It was weird how comfortable I felt around Jo and her friends, almost as if I were meant to be there.
We finished eating, and then I paid the tab, much to Jo’s frustration.As far as I was concerned, she would just have to get over it because taking care of her brought me a sense of happiness I hadn’t felt in a long time.
Seven
Jo
“You really don’t haveto cook,” I said to Dom, rocking back and forth as Molly fell asleep on my shoulder.
I smiled down at the baby as she let out a soft sound, her body relaxed in my arms.I had fallen in love with Molly long before she was even born.When her mother, Charlie, showed up in Nowhere covered in bruises and on the run, I knew then that I would do everything in my power to protect them.I would forever be grateful that fate brought Charlie to us and that she now had a family who loved and would always protect her and Molly.
“I love cooking, so I don’t mind,” he answered, grinning at me as I continued holding Molly.
While she was asleep and I could put her down in the portable crib I had for her, I wasn’t quite ready to be done with the baby snuggles.
