Fall Gently (Red Light: Silver Girls series) by Debra Kayn

over, and propped her head in her hands, bracing her elbows on her legs. He rubbed his thumb over the sparrow head tattoo on his hand. The tattoo a constant reminder of where he came from and how he'd ended it all.
    "Sparrows is no more. With Vince dead and the majority of the members arrested in the sting, there's nothing left." He let go of his hand
    "That's good." Roni shifted her gaze to him, leaning on one hand. "Can I ask you something?"
    "Yeah."
    She raised her head. "Are you trying to convince me to go with you, so you can start your version of Sparrows and take up where Vince left off?"
    "Fuck," he muttered, shaking his head. "Is that what you thought?"
    She gave nothing away, only waited for him to give her a straight answer. Of course, she believed he was here to bring her back to Seattle and restart Sparrows. She knew nothing about him, and after what she'd gone through with Vince, it mattered little that Jacqueline was his sister and he honored his word.
    "I'm not a member of Yesler Street Gang anymore. I have no desire or need to surround myself with others and join an organization. It's only me now. I'm walking away from everything because I owe my sister. I was too late to save her, and she'd asked for my help in getting you away from Vince before she died. I was caught up in trying to protect her and figure a way out for both of us, that I neglected her plea to save you. Then, everything went to hell and —"
    "I understand." Roni's eyes saddened. "You owe me nothing. Jackie didn't either."
    His chest tightened. Her attempt at making him feel better and that he wasn't to blame only packed a harder punch.
    "I don't think you get what I've been telling you." He stood. "I need to do what I can to get you away from working as a sex worker. You deserve a better life than this. If you can't do it for yourself, then do it for Jacqueline. Do it for your friend who never gave up on you."
    "That's what you're doing," she said, uncrossing her legs and putting her feet on the floor.
    "Yes, you've got to want better things than letting others use you."
    She stood and shrugged. "Okay."
    "Okay?" Caught off guard, he wasn't sure what she agreed to.
    "I'll leave the Network when my contract is up." She stepped closer and looked him in the eyes. "I promise."
    "You're making the right decision, Roni." He inhaled deeply wanting to reach out and hold her. "Just tell me where you want to go, and I'll take you there. I can help you get on your feet. I've got money set aside, and you can either stay with me, or I can help you find an apartment."
    She shook her head. "No, Dawson. You can leave Federal and go back home. You've done what you've come here to do, and you've kept your promise to Jackie. Thank you for telling me about Sparrows, Vince, and...your sister."
    His jaw tightened in the realization of what she was doing. She had no plans to leave. She'd go to the next town, and then the next town staying in the employment of the Network.
    A short knock and the door swung open. Jeremy stood in the entrance of the room and his gaze bounced between Dawson and Roni and finally settled on him. "Ready?"
    Dawson looked at Roni. He wasn't going to let her get away with playing him over. She couldn’t even see what she was doing to herself.
    "Yeah," he said, walking to the door without another word to Roni.
    There was no way in hell he was going to let her continue working as a prostitute. He'd stay and show up every fucking day if he had to, and she'd be leaving with him when her contract with Red Light ended.

Chapter Eight
    T he music from Silver Girls drifted up to the roof. Roni stood, huddled in her heavy coat and boots Dawson gifted her. The weather changed two days ago to clear and cold, leaving a two-foot pristine blanket of snow on the roof of the Sterling Building, which the other ladies of Red Light took delight in.
    While Seattle would get a dusting of snow once a year or so that caused havoc for those driving around the