“It’s okay,” Jack cut in. “The money varies depending on the job, but I aim for as close as possible to seven figures as I can. I know my worth.”
Frankie looked impressed. “Fuck yeah. Say, do you think the US government could use a guy like me? Maybe I could be your assistant and assist you.”
“Frankie, what the hell?” I placed my hands on my hips.
“Look girly, in case you didn’t notice, I’m out of a job and I can’t exactly go back to Vegas.” He raised his brows.
I would have continued my stance but he was right and it brought the guilt back.
We were here because of me, and realistically what the hell was Frankie supposed to do? Go to Brazil with us on the run?
Jesus.
As exciting as it all sounded it was farfetched.
Farfetched and sketchy like everything else. We were all doing our best here but my worry was just increasing with every passing second. There were too many variables but I was sure one would lead Pa here. I just knew it.
“Well maybe you could be your own boss. You’re good in everything you do,” I praised him with a little smile. I felt he deserved something nice along those lines since he really had stuck his neck out for me.
He nodded firmly with a wide smile plastered on his face. It made his beard look thicker. Usually he’d have it trimmed up but I was liking the more rugged look.
“I like that. I could be my own boss. Speaking of which, I gotta make a call.” He straightened up.
“To home?”
“Thereabouts, don’t worry, if something had happened I would tell you. No point keeping secrets now. If I think anyone is on the way here, you’ll know by me grabbing you and heading for the truck.”
I nodded even though I imagined him doing something more like throwing me over his shoulder and running to the truck with me.
“I have eyes in the sky,” Jack stated. “People keeping tabs on the area. You’ll know when we need to make a move.”
That did sound more promising. I didn’t know he had people watching like that.
“Thank you.”
Frankie nodded his thanks and headed out the kitchen door, leaving me with Jack.
This was actually the first time that we’d been left by ourselves.
I didn’t miss the tension that coiled around my heart.
It was from that awkwardness again of being here, it being clear that Xander and I were together and me feeling like the replacement.
“So, you manage to do anything with that sketch pad? I was looking for some paint but what I found dried up several moons ago,” Jack said with a little chuckle.
He was trying to make me feel at ease. I could tell.
“I drew last night. Sometimes that’s okay.”
“Well we can run to the store tomorrow and get some stuff if you like. The surroundings are beautiful this time of year.”
“Thank you, I would really love that. Everything here is beautiful. Did you paint?” I asked only because he’d mentioned the paint that dried up.
The shift in his mood however showed it wasn’t him that used to paint and I’d asked yet another question I shouldn’t have.
“Not me. It was my daughter,” Jack answered and the guilt just intensified.
“I’m sorry. I … shouldn’t have asked.”
