Page 55 of Claimed By Ruin

“Wyoming, huh. Pass through Nebraska?”

Dante looked up at me. Most people wouldn’t see it, but I could tell he weighed his words.

“Yeah, I have. First pass through, I saw a whole lot of nothing. But…” Dante said.

“But what?” I asked.

“I don’t think that’s going to last. World’s fucked, that’s for sure. But there are people out there, and there’s a void in leadership. Somebody’s going to step into it,” he said.

“Someone like your boss?” I asked.

“If someone like Rubin was in charge, this bullshit wouldn’t have happened. He wouldn’t have let it,” Dante said. He studied me. “You seem like the kind of guy who could fill some pretty big shoes yourself.”

“You mean enforce my will on a bunch of people I’m then responsible for? I’ll pass,” I said.

“Most folks wouldn’t be responsible. But you could definitely be in charge,” he said.

“I’m good where I am,” I said.

“Yeah. I don’t blame you. Nice setup. Excellent eye candy,” Dante said.

He looked towards where Asia and Lourdes were.

“She’s off limits,” I said.

“Not trying to move in on your territory. But Lourdes is something,” he said.

“They’re all off limits,” I said.

“If you say so, Jack.”

I let a moment pass, the sound of the shovel hitting the dirt threatening to lull me. I didn’t let it. “What did you see in Nebraska?”

Dante tilted his head. “Whole lot of nothing. Truth be told…it’s dead,” he said.

He was right.

Still, I couldn’t shake it, that hope that Evan was somewhere.

“Keep digging. I’ll be back,” I said.

“Not gonna cuff me to a post or something?” Dante asked.

I laughed, remembering how pissed he was when I’d cuffed him yesterday. “That hurt your feelings?”

“I’m just saying, I thought we had trust.”

I huffed. “Trust you, huh? Let’s just say I don’t need to trust you because you know if you run, I’ll chase you down and put a bullet in your brain.”

Dante’s laughter followed me as I walked towards the familiar truck that was rapidly approaching.

SEVENTEEN

Asia

“So, what’s going on, Caitlin?” I asked. She had been gone two full days, and I’d started to worry. And not just about Christopher. Dante was a reminder that the world was more than the farm and the town, and while I didn’t doubt Caitlin’s ability to handle any situation, I didn’t want her to be at risk.

Which was why I was more relieved than I’d ever admit to see Uncle Levi’s truck rolling up to the farm. But the Caitlin who got out of the truck…yeah, seeing her left no doubt there was a problem.