Page 87 of Bad Habit
“I don’t know.” I shifted, feeling exposed and uncomfortable. “The job seems risky.” Why couldn’t I just tell Keagan I was out? Loyalty ran deep, part of my bones.
“The risk is manageable.” He slapped his hand on my back. “Plus, Shane needs this.”
I glanced over my shoulder. “He’ll just put the proceeds up his nose.”
“I don’t think so.” Keagan lowered his voice. “He’s promised me. He’s agreed to rehab. And after this job, we’ll be able to afford a good place for him, a place that actually might work.”
I raised my eyebrows, but a little hope edged into my skepticism. If I backed out, would I be keeping Shane from getting sober?
“Even if I do this”—I drew a long breath—“I’m out after. This is my last job.”
Keagan nodded, less pissed off then I’d expected. “Let’s talk, after. But Shane’s gonna go through with this scam, even if we don’t help, and if we don’t help, he’ll either get killed or end up back inside.” Keagan shook his head. “And doing more time will be a death sentence for Shane. You know that, right?”
I did know. I stared at the terracotta tiles beneath our feet. Shane would never survive more time. If he didn’t OD, he’d get shanked.
Being inside had changed Shane, or maybe just revealed his true self. One way or the other, he was not built to survive in a cage.
* * *
Faith
“Oh my goodness!” Sister Henry walked into the large hall where I was nearly finished mopping the floor. “Are you here by yourself?”
I dunked the mop in the soapy water. “Saturday night,” I said. “None of our volunteers could stay.”
Avoiding the wet section of floor, she crossed the room to join me. “Youletthem leave, you mean.”
“They all had plans. I didn’t.”
“I’m sorry.” Sister Henry squeezed my shoulder.
“Sorry? Why?” I leaned on the mop, happy to take a short break.
“That it’s over with the Downey boy.” She gave me a sympathetic look. “It’s for the best.”
“Over? Why would you think that?” My chest warmed at the thought of Mac, our blossoming love. We’d been together as often as possible in the two weeks since Las Vegas, renting motel rooms for some privacy from his brothers.
“It’s Saturday night.” Sister Henry shrugged. “Date night.”
“I think you have some very old-fashioned ideas about dating, Sister Henry.”
“Maybe I do.” She tipped her head toward the kitchen. “Join me for a cup of tea?”
“Sure.” I pushed the mop and bucket to the side of the room, then followed my friend into the kitchen. The kettle started to squeal as if noticing our entrance.
“Earl Grey?” she asked as she took it off the burner. “Or something without caffeine?”
“Whatever you’re having.” I took two mugs from the cupboard and set them on the tan tiles, which were spotless from my earlier cleaning.
“So I take it you’re planning to see him again.”
I nodded. I’d been waiting for the right time to tell Sister Henry that I’d lost my calling. This was as good a time as any. “I’ve decided not to become a nun.”
She took an oversized white teapot from the cupboard, peeked inside, then smiled over her shoulder. “I suspected as much.”
“Can I…” This was the really scary part for me. “Will I have to leave the mission right away?”
Sister Henry put a teabag into the pot, poured boiling water inside, then closed the lid and set the pot on the counter next to the mugs. “To be honest, I’m not sure what Mother Superior will say. Maybe it’s best not to tell her until you’re absolutely sure.”
