I hope you didn’t think ill of me.” “Ill of you?” “I’m betraying the Joes and betraying you at the same time... You deserve better.” “No Scoop. I love you. You only did it to save me,” Lady Jaye sobbed as she kissed him yet again. “I’m sorry,” Scoop replied when Lady Jaye broker the kiss. “Did he say that you have to go alone?” “He said that I shouldn’t tell the Joes.” “Then take me with. "Yeah, I...I hurt so bad I could barely walk to the bathroom." she said, "I told my parents I was sick so I didn't have to try and get around school all day."She seemed to enjoy telling me this. I could hear a hint of pride in her voice."And Saturday?" I asked.She shook her head and her smile grew."I still couldn't move properly...It...it feels better now though." she said, wriggling her hips slightly.I turned away from her again and closed my eyes. Regardless of how I felt about her normally,. ..festive." OK with me," I said."Great. Let's make it as special as we can. If it's OK with you, I'llmove your salon appointment to Friday this week. We'll just makeThursday a quiet night at home for a change." Sounds nice. Thanks," I said.We chatted about this and that over breakfast and then I helped Sarahget ready to go out. She was planning a morning at the office and thena client lunch (no, really, lunch with a legitimate client for achange). Before she left she said, "I need to ask. "Well, considering he was after my family, I couldn't just sit by and do nothing."She nodded. "I understand. Anyone would protect their family just as readily, though from the reports I received, not many would have necessarily survived the experience just as I heard you had almost not." He didn't hurt me so much as get lucky." Luck holds more sway over any fight than anyone would care to guess. His luck was not enough. If he had killed you, then your family would still be at his mercy and we.