Page 65 of Agony

“Oh! That’s the store where we can eat for free!”

His eyes prickled and he laughed to cover it up and handed the paper back to Mikey.

The boy put his hands behind his back and shook his head. “It’s for you. I made it for you.”

Fisher carefully folded the paper and tucked it into the inner pocket of his lightweight jacket.

“I’ll keep it safe.”

“Do you want one?” Mikey’s eyes were hopeful looking at Boston.

And for the first time, Boston smiled. It was slight, but it was there.

“Next time,” Boston promised.

Mikey threw his arms around Fisher’s waist and hugged him tight.

Fisher returned the hug.

A slight noise drew Fisher’s gaze toward the door, and he found Ryan leaning against the doorjamb with a slight smile.

When Fisher came closer, Ryan yanked him into a quick hug.

“Thank you,” the young man whispered.

“Of course.”

He patted Ryan’s back. Their circumstances were dire and Fisher knew he needed to make more money and fast. When he did go back to work, he’d have to double up on the jobs for a few weeks. That way, he could, at the very least, take these three out of here. Plus, have a safe place for Beck.

Why this fell on his shoulders he wasn’t sure, but if he didn’t do it then who the hell would?

Striding through the small house, he stepped out onto the back porch.

Boston who was right on his ass, bumped into him.

“No,” he said gently, turning around. “You need to stay here.”

“I’m not staying here.”

Fisher placed both hands on Boston’s shoulders and gazed into the teenager’s eyes.

“You need to stay safe until I can figure something out. This is the best place. I promise.”

“I won’t stay here.” Boston’s voice turned hoarse.

Damn it.

If Boson took off, then he’d be tasked with finding the boy again. He couldn’t have that.

“Okay, but you stay right on my ass,” Fisher growled low so only the two of them could hear.

A few minutes later, he and Boston leaped to the top of the concrete wall. Fisher gazed back at the small house.

Mikey smiled and waved emphatically at them from the porch.

With a lifted hand and a smile that Mikey couldn’t see, Fisher dipped over the other side and disappeared with Boston down the alley.

Next on his list was to find Beck, but the bitch of that was he had no clue of the teenager’s location. And that was going to take time.

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