Ah, so Josey is here because he feels guilty. He’s trying to clear his conscience.
“You’re not a bad guy, JJ. And maybe not everyone sees that, but I do. I’m not trying to get all sentimental…but you’re like the kid brother I never had.”
Or maybe he’s here because he actually cares.
I narrow my eyes at him. “Are you fucking with me?”
Josey grins and shakes his head. “I’m serious, you fucking idiot.” He punches my shoulder. “I’m only in town for another week, but if you need me, I’m here.”
I sigh and glance around, my breath a misty haze in front of me. Having someone other than Claire on my team would be huge, especially since I don’t want to involve her just yet. But what if this is a trick? What if Josey really is a mole for Franklin, and he’s using what connection we did have as a way to trap me? If it were only me, I would take Josey up on his offer of assistance without hesitation, but I have to give more caution to things involving Claire.
I would never forgive myself if something happened to her and I could have prevented it.
“Thanks, man,” I finally say. I reach out my hand, letting it hang in the balance between us. “I’ll let you know.”
Josey rolls his eyes, which is hilarious coming from such a large and intimidating man. He grabs my outreached arm and pulls me to him, slapping my back in a manly kind of hug. “I’m glad you’re not dead, kid.”
I smile and smack him with the same intensity. “Me too, me too.”
“If you need me, I’ll be at a place called Bane’s Caféat noon every day.”
And maybe it’s foolish of me, but I make a mental note of the location. I have no idea what I’m going to do to make it out of this, and if it’s a trap, I’ll be walking right into it. Josey has already proven himself on more than one occasion, what’s the harm in putting a little faith in him once again?