Page 56 of Bound in Ashes

I glared at Jack. “Traipsing, Jackson? Really?”

“Whatever. You’re not going,” he said.

“I’m on his side with this one, baby girl,” Uncle Levi said.

“And my vote?” I said.

“Noted and denied,” Jack said.

I shook my head. “So who’s going to go?”

“Me,” Jack said.

Asia

“I told you, you weren’t coming,” Jack said an hour later.

“Yet, here I am,” I replied.

I glanced over at him. His fingers flexed, once, twice, like he was squeezing something —or wanted to.

Then he stretched his arms languidly, drumming a slow beat against the dashboard, looking cool, calm, and collected.

That’s how I knew that he was beyond pissed.

I shifted in my seat, forcing myself to ignore the faint pulse of my sex.

Turned my mind to questions less complex than my uncontrollable reaction to him, questions like how I was going to survive the end of the fucking world.

The conversation with the newcomers had gone well. Uncle Levi told him much of what he’d told me when I arrived all those years ago. Reminded everyone that there was no freeloading, no lying, no stealing. Had told them we were a community, and anyone who didn’t want to contribute was welcome to get on down the road.

Bridget had even taken a couple of the younger girls under her wing, saying she looked forward to helping in the kitchen.

Jack looked homicidal, staring at the new group with enough disdain that save one brave little girl, none of them were willing to approach him

I glanced away from Jack, keeping my eyes on the road, but hiding my face. I didn’t think Jack would appreciate it if he saw me smile.

Once I was sure I wouldn’t laugh, I turned to look at him.

He looked at me. Glared, but then looked away.

I waited till I was in control, then glanced over at him again.

“Jack, I’m not trying to be an idiot. And I don’t want to die. But I don’t want you to die, either. So I’m not gonna let you go out and do something like this alone.”

I glanced over at him. Waited until he looked at me.

“And besides, I think we make a pretty good team.”

“Whatever,” he said.

I couldn’t help it. I laughed.

“Oh my God, Jack, way to build up a girl’s confidence,” I said.

“Problem is this girl has too much confidence. She thinks she should be out here in the wild instead of back where it’s safe,” he said.

“Oh, Jack wants the little lady to stay home. I don’t know if you’ve forgotten but I got your ass out of Atlanta,” I said.