Page 29 of Bound in Ashes

She smiled, the expression soft, reflective, filled with fondness. “Everybody pulls their weight, or the boat sinks,” she said.

I could easily imagine a younger Asia hearing and repeating those words.

I didn’t know the exact contours of their relationship, but I knew their bond ran deeper than blood.

“Great. So what does that look like?” Caitlin asked.

“This place is big, which is a plus and a minus. It’s late now, so we need to get cleaned up. Then tomorrow we look into fortification.”

“You said there’s a town?” It was Bridget who spoke.

“There is, and we’ll see what’s going on there. But for now, I want to make sure this place is in shape,” I said.

“So you can leave?” Miles asked.

His expression was placid, but I couldn’t help but see the little boy in him.

“One step at a time, kid,” I said.

I didn’t dare risk looking at Asia, not sure that I wanted to even try to gauge her reaction.

“Miles, Elliot, come with me and Levi to walk the perimeter. Ladies, why don’t you get cleaned up?”

“You gonna tell us to get dinner ready or something?” Caitlin said.

“We know you can’t cook, Caitlin,” Lourdes said.

The room, which had been tense, erupted in laughter.

“Guilty as charged.” Caitlin shrugged.

“No cooking assignments. Clean up while we walk the perimeter, then we’ll rotate and reconvene.” Everyone nodded and set off.

Asia lingered, and I drifted toward her.

“You talked to Uncle Levi?” she said.

“Yeah. We came to an understanding.”

“Care to share details?” she asked.

“No. Go shower. We’ll talk later,” I said.

She shook her head, smiled.

“Even at the end of the world, it’s good to see that some things remain ever constant.”

“Yeah, Asia, I’m still an asshole. Don’t expect that to change.”

She smiled brightly. “Jackson, the dead are walking. We live in a world of infinite possibility.”

Her laughter followed her down the hall, and I stood there, longer than I should have, tracking the sound until it faded.

Promised myself I’d make this place a fortress.

That was always the plan. Get her here. Make sure she was safe. Then find Evan.

An image of my brother flashed behind my eyes.