“We could have done better, and learned about what other men were working with the slavers,” Vin replied.
“I’m certain you would have, if Paulie hadn’t shown up when he did,” Ran said. “It was unfortunate, but it’s too late to do anything about it.”
“Now comes the big question.” Maddox looked squarely at Davie. “Do you want to keep helping us?”
“I think so,” Davie replied.
“You have to be certain,” Ran told him. “This isn’t a kid’s game. You can’t back out in the middle of an assignment because you’re afraid of what might happen next. You can decline one, if something about it bothers you, but if you don’t, you’ll be in it to the end. Understand?”
“Yeah, got it. If I say no, I’m back on the streets, right?”
“No,” Maddox replied. “We’ll send you somewhere else and set you up with an a
