"I understand your caution," he says, looking up at him. "Believe me, sir. I understand. You got your little girl here and you can't just have any hand come ridin' up to the front door. Any hire has gotta be someone you can trust not to turn on you."

I would never hurt her and I would never hurt you, swear to God.

Jay looks down at his hands and that through-and-through scar that mars the surface of his left palm, then turns that hand over and looks at the back, before he glances up at Samuel and lifts the hand, slightly. "You're right 'bout that, too," he adds.

Hurt like hell.

He pulls in a deep breath and rubs at the back of his neck, then scratches lightly at his jaw before he looks up at the man. "I know you don't got no reason to trust me right now, but I swear, sir. I don't...I'm tired of livin' like I've been livin' and all I want is t'clean my act up, work honest, again. I ain't the person I used to be, after I saw John killed. Took a long time t'stop bein' angry and realize that I wasn't gonna survive to thirty if I kept goin' like I was, but I get that, now."

It isn't desperation, in his voice. Just raw honesty, the only kind you can get from a boy who's just a bit scared and tryin' not to show it, while hanging onto his pride as best he can.

"I would never, ever, dare cross you or your family. I swear that on my life and what honor I got left, sir."