Snippet #2100846

Rita's eyes went wide. "No. No, it ain't gonna happen." Rita pressed her hands against the table, trying to emphasise her point. "I don't need some guy in a mask slowing me down. Besides, you'll just draw attention to us and that is precisely what I avoid." She swallowed, but kept her eyes cutting into Zero's mask.

"Rita," Joe warned, not looking up from his plate. Rita swallowed. "Do us a favour and get off yur high horse." She looked at Joe now, with a scowl tight on her lips. He was like a dad to her - not like her real dad, but a father-figure all the same - but sometimes he could be a real pain. "I know you could do it on yur own," he said with a glance at Ash and Zero, like he was saying it just to keep her happy. Her scowl deepened. "But I think it's 'bout time you let someone else share the work. You'd get more done after all."

She narrowed her eyes, knowing from the tone of Joe's voice she wasn't going to win this. Besides, Joe wouldn't let her argue much more. She growled, letting her frustration known. "Whatever. Just not with him." She nodded to Zero, knowing full well he could hear her. She didn't like his mask; she couldn't bring herself to trust him, least until she knew for sure he wasn't going to corner her and kill her or rape her.

"Zero is strong. And 'e'll..." he stopped himself before saying, take care of you, knowing better than anyone that Rita could take care of herself and wouldn't take kindly for someone saying otherwise. "'e'll watch your back. Even you don't have eyes in the back of ur 'ed." Rita pursed her lips, knowing she had lost, but not ready to admit it.

"You know I don't trust newbs, Joe. Especially when they've got something to hide." She didn't want to be alone with Zero, especially on the streets where he could easily say someone else hurt her. She sighed, searching for ideas - an idea at least. "Ma- Ash will come with me." Rita looked at Joe, but Joe looked at Ash. Joe didn't mind Ash going, but he might mind. Joe gave them safety and it wasn't a habit of his to force them back out onto the streets.