Page 98 of Bound in Ashes

And so I was left with Hayes, walking beside him as he again told me the lay of the land, giving me a speech about how things were now.

The usual shit I expected from Hayes. But I couldn’t just blow it off, not now.

Even worse, after the sheriff walked away, Chris pulled me aside, reminding me that he was just a few miles away.

When I got back to Jack, he was beyond furious.

But it didn’t matter.

I was doing what I had to do to keep us all safe.

He had to understand that.

I looked at him—tense, unyielding—and knew that was a lie.

No.

Jack didn’t understand.

And he wouldn’t.

But I’d have to deal with it.

And so would he.

“He’s up to no good,” Jack said.

“No shit, Jack. You think I don’t know Hayes and his bullshit?”

“I’m not talking about Hayes.”

I sighed. “Really, Jackson?”

He grabbed my arm, and I met his eyes. “This isn’t a fucking game, Asia.”

“You think I don’t know that!”

“So what are you playing at? Why are you buddying up to him?” he said.

“I’m not buddying up to him, Jack. I’m trying to keep everyone alive. And I was trying to get us the hell out of there. I did it. So chill out,” I said.

I was shocked when he laughed. “Chill out? Really?”

I pushed at his chest. “Shut up, jerk,” I said, smiling.

But the levity of the moment was short-lived.

I looked at Jack, my gaze locked on his.

“I understand—more than I could probably ever explain—how fucked up the situation is and what we’re dealing with. What Hayes is capable of,” I said.

“What did he do to you?” Jack said, his voice taking on an edge, his eyes probing, searching for a lie.

“Like I said before, it’s nothing like that,” I said hurriedly when I noticed his expression.

I’d seen it before.

It was the same worn one he had worn when he killed Jorge.