Page 126 of Bound in Ashes

But she recovered.

Gave me a sharp nod.

Met my eyes.

“I’ll help you pack.”

TWENTY-THREE

Asia

“Do you have everything you need?”

The snick of the teeth of the zipper closing was my response.

It was definitive, commanding.

A perfect reflection of Jack at this moment.

“Levi offered me weapons,” he said, hoisting the backpack onto one shoulder.

It was black, sturdy, but looked comically small on Jack’s broad shoulders. And it held all of his worldly possessions, which apparently consisted of a raincoat, three cans of green beans, and a pair of socks that he didn’t know I put in there.

“Did you take them?” I asked, following him with my gaze as he marched around the kitchen.

“No,” he said.

“At least take a handgun. He has several,” I said.

“You’ll need them here.”

“What about coffee?” I asked. My teeth were gritted, and I was on edge. For the third time, I wiped the already clean kitchen counter.

“Three teaspoons will be fine. Doesn’t have to be indulgent. Can swish it down with some water, get the same effect,” he said.

“How revolting, Jackson,” I said, my voice not wavering.

He shrugged, emphasizing how tiny the backpack looked.

“Desperate times.”

He stopped at the kitchen door, his frame filling it. It wasn’t dawn yet, but I saw the first rumblings of the sun crossing the sky.

In minutes, this man, the one who saved me when I didn’t even know I needed saving, would be gone.

I turned too abruptly, again swiping the counter.

“I’ll walk you out,” I said.

Jack stared at me a moment, then nodded.

I walked behind him, trying to interpret what that expression meant.

I bet he wondered why I hadn’t said something else.

Take care of yourself.

I need you.