Early the next day, Jo and Ash were awakened by Masha. She told them to have breakfast and a bath before they left.Jo agreed and left the room without talking to Ash. Ash knew she was angry with him, and he actually deserved it for how rude he'd been to her the night before. He could still remember how surprised he'd been, when she'd said he had Gulden tastes. Although she'd meant it as a joke, it didn't make it nothing less than the truth.First, she'd seen his tattooless torso, and then she'd found out about his tastes. What else would she be privy to if he let her?It actually wasn't her fault that he couldn't keep his mouth shut when he was around her. Not Capo or Pascal, his most trusted men, knew most of the things he'd told her, but for some reason, he'd wanted to spill all his secrets to her. He knew that would not bode well for him. *   *   *Jo looked at herself as she put on the shirt Masha lent her. The shirt was loose

Ash and Jo walked until they got to a convenience store. They entered, startling the geriatric sales lady who was taking a nap.“What can I get you young couple?” The woman asked as she sluggishly adjusted her glasses and smiled at them.“We'd like to see Jean.” Jo said, not looking at the woman, but rather at the security camera behind the woman.The woman scowled and fixed her with a stern look, “Look, I sell a lot of things, but I don't sell jeans. If you're not interested in buying anything, you better leave.”Ash felt like a child who'd had been caught stealing from the cookie jar, “We're quite sorry, Ma'am. We'll just be on our way.”“No.” Jo said intractably, “I'm not leaving until I see Jean.”“Are you crazy?” Ash whispered to Jo, “She doesn't know what you're talking about.”The old woman was about to wag her finger at Jo, when the

"Tall and Caucasian. He just described more than half the population of Ganghaven.” Jo grumbled. They had left J-Cane at Sassy's, with a warning not to tell anyone that he'd seen them. If he told, they promised to show the cops the footage they had of him leaving the crime scene.J-Cane had hastily agreed. Now, they were in the dark alley behind the club, discussing their next step.“Yeah. I think we should just hand the camera over to the police and let them handle finding out who the Hatter is.” Ash said with resignation.“So you want us to walk up to the precinct and throw the camera at their doorstep.” Jo said, cocking an eyebrow.“No. I have a man on board.” Ash said. When Jo raised her eyebrows in surprise, Ash rushed to continue, “It's not like his an inside man or anything like that, actually it's the other way around. Whenever I come across dirty people, I usually tell him so the cops can take care

 Some minutes later, Ash forced himself to get up from the sofa. Yes, he told himself, he was going to comfort Jo. He knew how hard it was, not to have anyone to comfort you when you needed it.He steeled his shoulders as he walked into the tiny kitchen and found Jo leaning on the tiny counter, with her head in her hands.He took a deep breath and went to her. Worst case scenario, she'd tell him to fuck off.It wouldn't be the first time that would happen, he thought ruefully.When Jo noticed he was around, she turned and stared at him with eyes swollen from crying, “I want to be alone.”“No, you don't.” Ash said, trying to take her in his arms.“Yes, I do. Who do you think you are, telling me what I want and don't want?” Jo asked belligerently.“A friend, I hope.” Ash said sincerely.Jo looked up at him and saw that he meant his statement.A dam she didn't kno

14 After what seemed like millions of years later, Jo finally looked up and saw Ash resting on his elbow, looking at her.“What?” She asked groggily.“You've been asleep. Snoring.” Ash replied with a grin.“What? I don't snore.” Jo replied, blushing.“Yes, you do. With your mouth open.” Ash said, his grin widening.Jo could feel herself getting worked up. Snoring with her mouth open? How unsexy was that? Then she realized she hadn't seen Ash sleep. Maybe his was worse.“Yeah, so?” She asked defensively.“It's cute.” Ash said, touching the tip of her nose with his finger, “You're cute.”Jo was pleased before she remembered who she was. She was a gangster for crying out loud. Gangsters didn't do cute!“How many girls have you used that line on?” She asked, trying to change the subject.All traces of a