“Okay.” Rick put the dishes away before asking, “If I do take you up on your offer, does it mean you expect me to be here twenty-four-seven?”
“Hell, no. You’ll be free to come and go as you want, as long as you’re careful. I doubt anyone I should be worried about saw us together last night, but there’s no sense taking chances.”
“That doesn’t make my day. Even if I sneak in and out, if they see me on the streets…” Rick sucked in a breath.
“Would they grab you? Probably not. They would follow you, hoping you’d lead them to me.”
“Well, I’m good at avoiding that. Lots of practice getting away from cops and punks who get off on hassling the homeless. I will be real careful, though.”
“That makes it sound like you intend to stay.”
Rick slowly nodded. “I’ve got nothing to lose, and I gain a
