Key to His Heart (Sequel)

The Most Beautiful Thought

It took Hope a month, but she started finding her way back to compassion. Jake knew she could do it. He was patient with her and let her stay home with him as much as possible so she didn't get overstimulated. Of course, he didn't mind. He loved having her all to himself. He would be fine never leaving their apartment again, so long as she was there.

Also, they had another talk. She reassured him that she would never do anything major without discussing it with him first. "I'm sorry, Jake. I have a blind spot when it comes to that man."

"I know, my love. I wish I could make it better for you."

"You do," she told him and hugged him tightly. Things were more relaxed after that. She was still a bit sad, but he kept her close to him physically and often reminded her of his feelings for her. It helped them both. They promised each other they wouldn't be apart anymore, and they both meant it. If they couldn't stop Perrault from coming after them, then they would live with it. There wasn't anything more important than being together.

Jake was happy when Hope came to him after a month and said he was right, she should try to speak with the group at the security firm. She wanted things to change. Maybe she couldn't keep some people from doing bad things, but she could at least try to convince Fede and the others to do things differently.

They all respected Jake and were pleased to know that he struggled with something they did, too. It made them feel less alone, not so different. If their mentor, someone they admired, had found a way to improve himself, then maybe they could, too.

Hope and Jake worked together with the team and gave them tips for handling the bounties differently. They were excited to try these new methods, and it was clear it had never occurred to them to try anything other than what they had been doing. 

"You should both work here!" Elur exclaimed. "We need people like you."

They looked at each other. "We will have to discuss it," Jake replied.

"Then let me tell you more details so you can make an informed decision," Elur pressed. "Of course, you would be supplied with fully legal, government-endorsed identities, just as we received when Jared brought us here. Above-market salaries, full benefit packages, travel stipends, and if you want, you can live in corporate housing. As Jake would be an executive, that would mean a house instead of an apartment, with round-the-clock guards, not to mention all the high-end devices you would need to perform your job duties."

Hope turned to the side and smirked when she saw Jake trying not to drool at the prospect of 'high-end devices.' She was proud of him for his poker face and response when he told Elur, "Send us an offer with more details, and we will take it under consideration."

Elur looked shocked they didn't jump on it. "Sure, I'll have my assistant draw up the paperwork. I'm an executive as well, by the way, which is why I can offer you whatever I want to get you to work here. So if there's something else you need, let me know and I'll see what I can do. We have all lived comfortably for the past eight years thanks to both of you. That debt will never be repaid, but I would like to try to give you at least some recompense for it."

Hope pressed her lips together. They wouldn't do the one thing she still wanted–to completely eliminate any threat against Jake. She had begun to accept it wouldn't happen, but it didn't mean her desire for it had dissipated. Jake saw the dark look on her face, thanked Elur, and they left.

There was already an email waiting for them by the time they returned to the apartment. Hope ignored it and sat on the sofa. Would they have to move again? She was just getting adjusted to this place; she wasn't sure she wanted to deal with more change so soon. She also wasn't certain she wanted a job where she would have to interact with people so much. She had enjoyed her position at the shelter because she spent most of her time focusing on the animals or in her office, away from her staff.