“New project?” Kristine prompted.
“Yes. Human trafficking. I saw them moving a giant cage in through the back doors and down to the basement.”
“Are you sure? Maybe they’re just getting a large pet.”
Amy leveled an unbelieving look at her daughter. “Really?”
“Okay, okay. I give up. I guess I don’t know what they’re capable of because I don’t think like a sociopath.”
“I like that about you,” Jayce said. He had hoped to lighten the mood, but it didn’t seem to work very well. He cleared his throat. “I think your mother and I are both worried about the same thing. You could underestimate these guys and wind up dead.”
“Or worse.” Amy shuddered.
At last Jayce had to voice his opinion bluntly. “Something’s gotta give, and if you’re stubborn about staying, that something could be your freedom or your life.”
“So, what are we going to do about not working but not getting fired?” Kristine asked.
Amy tapped her bottom lip. “I’ve been thinking about that. Perhaps I could fake an illness, use up my sick time, and figure out something from there. You could say you need a leave of absence to take care of me.”
“But then people would expect us to be in our apartment. It’s not like we can afford to move, especially if we’re not working.”
“Better yet,” Jayce interjected, “you could take her to get medical treatment by specialists. Boston is famous for medical excellence.”
“So, not just beans then?”
He smirked. “I think you’d like my fair city, hon. There’s a lot I could show you there.” He rose, crossed the two steps to reach her, settled in next to her, and framed her face with his hands. “The most important thing I can show you is how much I love you.” He kissed her tenderly.
“Hmm, if you’re expecting me to choose between gangsters and death on one hand or my boyfriend’s affection, my mother’s safety, and my life on the other hand, I have to admit you’re making a compelling argument.”
Jayce finally smiled for real. They could spend the rest of the night hammering out the details, but at least they were all on the same page at last.
