Page 70 of Bound in Ashes

I grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at me. “Remember this the next time another man touches you. Understand?”

She nodded, her eyes still wet.

“Say it.”

“I understand.”

“Good.” I released her, starting the truck. “Now put your fucking seat belt on.”

She did, moving stiffly.

I pulled onto the road, eyes forward.

The silence was thick. Heavy.

She stared out the window, her arms wrapped around herself.

After a few miles, I finally reached over.

She flinched when I put my hand on her thigh.

I lingered for a moment, then started to pull back.

But she covered my hand with hers, holding it there.

I kept driving.

Jack

I parked in front of the house, and before the truck had completely stopped, Asia was out and moving toward the steps, undoubtedly going to find Levi.

She was fast but I was faster, and met her at the front of the truck. Before I could stop myself, I reached for her, curling two fingers around her wrist.

The millisecond it took for her eyes to meet mine felt like an eternity, one where I wondered what I would see in them.

Fear?

Revulsion?

All earned, of course, but was I ready to face them?

I didn’t find out.

Because when her eyes met mine, all I saw was gentle question, softness.

Acceptance.

I dropped my hand and lowered my lids, missing the contact and connection, but needing the space.

Hated what I wanted to ask, feeling shameful relief when she didn’t make me.

“Talk in a few?” she said.

“Yeah.” Then I turned toward Miles, who stood on the porch. “You’d better not have been standing around waiting for us all morning.”

“Heck no, Jack. I did the perimeter check, inventory, and fed the animals. I even let Travis shadow me on watch shift so he could see how it’s done,” Miles said.

Asia had gone inside, and Miles jumped off the porch and unloaded the truck as he talked.