Page 75 of Bound in Ashes

Hayes’s impromptu dick-measuring contest was over in an instant. Type like him couldn’t resist a damsel in distress.

“Why don’t you tell me all about it?” the sheriff said.

“Sure,” Caitlin said, blinking, and then looking at Asia.

“I’ll take you over to the diner and get some food in you. Asia knows her way around,” the sheriff said.

Caitlin looked at Asia, but then turned her wide eyes back to the sheriff.

“I’d appreciate it,” Caitlin said.

“It’s my pleasure,” the sheriff responded.

He walked away, intently staring at Caitlin, who was by his side.

The crowd and deputies that had gathered faded, and Asia and I were left on the dusty streets alone.

At least for a moment until that fucking coward Christopher approached. He stopped in front of us, and smiled.

The expression was friendly.

Welcoming.

I wanted to smash every tooth out of his mouth.

I shifted, partially blocking her body with mine.

He noticed, but he didn’t comment on it.

Still, he kept that same pleasant smile on his face.

“Good to see you again, Asia,” he said.

“You, too, Christopher,” she responded.

Her voice was wary, but had an undertone of something else that I couldn’t describe.

“It’s took late since I kinda said this before, and it’s probably uncouth to say it like this anyway, but seriously, after everything…I really am glad you’re alive,” he said.

That got a real smile out of her.

“Thanks. You, too,” she said.

His smile dropped, his blue eyes darkening as he lowered his lids.

“I should have said that before but didn’t have the chance last time⁠—”

“You mean when you almost got her killed?”

My voice was like a knife through the awkwardness, and Christopher looked up at me, his eyes wide. They flashed with rage. It was familiar, the kind of rage that fueled petty tyrants like Christopher. The kind men like him were forced to swallow.

He did just that, all signs of his anger gone in the blink of an eye.

But I’d seen it, knew that I’d also gotten a glimpse of the real Christopher. The one he hid from Asia—from everyone else.

Knew that Christopher wasn’t just weak.

He was dangerous.