Beau, thirty-five, is a gangland enforcer who has gone into hiding rather than following the orders of his boss, Mercer, to harm a rival's kid. Now, all Beau wants to do is eliminate Mercer before getting out of town. When Rick, an eighteen-year-old denizen of the streets, witnesses Beau killing one of Mercer's men who has found him, Beau takes Rick under his wing instead of killing him, as well. He offers Rick a place to stay while he figures out how to put his plan to take Mercer out into action -- without ending up dead himself. Befriending Rick is an act Beau may come to regret. Rick convinces Beau to take him along when he leaves town -- thus working his way into Beau's dangerous life on the run -- and perhaps, into his heart, if Beau can come to grips with the fact that Rick is half his age. Note: This story contains scenes of graphic violence.

The Runaway and the Enforcer

There was one major development for Rick. When one of the waiters at the restaurant quit unexpectedly, Mr. Green asked him to step in until he could find a replacement. With some trepidation, Rick did. Two days later, Mr. Green asked if he’d be willing to continue as part of the waitstaff, and Rick accepted.


“I’m moving up in the world,” Rick gleefully told Beau when it happened. “I’m making a bit more in salary, and with the tips…” He grinned. “I can buy us a better TV. Not really. Half goes into the bank, and the rest for my share of the rent and food.”


“You already help with that,” Beau pointed out.


“Yeah, but now it’ll be more than a few dollars. I’ve felt like I’ve been sponging off you, sort of. Now, I won’t be.”


“Did you hear me complaining?” Beau asked, giving him a hug.


Rick hugged him back. “Nope. But you wouldn’t. It’s not you.”


Chapter 37