with someone as much as possible. Any time you can take off work right now is a day more your safety is ensured. And speaking on behalf of myself and Ryan and the FBI, I want to thank you for keeping things quiet and uprooting your lives. I’m sure it hasn’t been easy and I’m grateful to you all.”
Charlie popped up off the couch and pulled Jonah into a hug. “No worries, dude. We’re family. We do what needs to be done for one another.”
Blessing got up and held her hand out. She was a hugger, but not by nature. Jonah would have to earn that by treating me well and staying around for a while. “We’ve got your back, brother.” She shook his hand with both of hers. That was something.
Liliana dashed over to me and hugged me hard and kissed my cheek then got up on her tippy toes to hug Jonah who hunched his much larger frame over to hug her back. She also kissed his cheek. “Ve con Dios.” Go with God, she said and smiled.
Genesis gave me a long hug. “You doing okay, sister?” My goodness, her amber eyes were mesmerizing against her soft brown skin. She was so beautiful it stunned me sometimes.
“Jonah’s got me. I’m good, sis.”
“Okay,” she took a breath and let it out. “I’m gonna check on Mama and Rory. I’ll bet Mama is asleep and Rory is awake singing along to the songs.”
I chuckled and watched as she gave Jonah a hug. “Thank you for keeping my sister safe. If there’s ever anything you need from me or anything I can do at my work, don’t hesitate to reach out.”
“Thank you, Genesis. That’s very kind of you and I will. Sometimes I come across some wayward kids in my work that could use a little help.”
“I’m there. Phone call away.”
“Appreciate it.”
Jonah turned to me now that the sisters were moving along to whatever it was they were going to be doing today.
“What next, FBI man?” I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my body to his.
“After the shit that went down at Tracks last night, I’ve come to really enjoy the idea of you working at A+ Construction. Figure we could visit my father, you could take a tour, meet some of the guys, chit chat with Lisa who has the job now, and maybe we can speed up that job change.”
My eyes bulged because I felt like I’d been squeezed to the limits at the level of my excitement. I couldn’t help but bounce up and down. “Really? Do you think he might consider hiring me before I finish my last class?”
He hooked his arm around my shoulders and kissed my temple. “Yeah, babe, I think he gets a load of how excited you are, driven, smart, and how much you mean to me, and he’ll be jumping at the chance to bring you on board. I was thinking we could discuss a part-time situation with him. That way the other hours of the day you could devote to your studies and the flower shop until you’re ready to go full time. This would also allow for you to have a full month of training.”
I grinned. “And I could quit Tracks.”
“And you could quit Tracks,” he smirked.
“And be far away from Trey and his grabby hands,” I added.
“Definite fuckin’ plus.”
I nudged his shoulder. “Don’t pretend that isn’t the real reason…”
He led me out the door and into the hallway. “You being safe with people I trust working around you is the goal. And it helps my father. My father deserves good help.”
“And what about Luca?” I hedged because I didn’t want to tiptoe around anything with Jonah. That’s not who I was, and he made it clear he wanted me to be honest in all things.
He sucked in a breath and let it out on a sigh. “I’ll have to deal.”
I stopped at the front of the elevator. “Honey, I don’t want you to have to deal with anything extra. If you don’t want me working with Luca, I won’t. Sure, it sounds like the most amazing opportunity but I’m not going to risk the opportunity I have with our relationship for a prospective job. It’s just not worth it to me.”
Jonah tipped his head to the side. “Simone, what’s your end goal? Perfect world type scenario?”
I pursed my lips together and thought about it for a moment and then shrugged. “I want to have a good