Page 64 of Bound in Ashes

His jaw tightened. “I was assessing⁠—“

“You froze. She almost died.”

I gripped the knife tighter.

Lifted it.

The world narrowed until there was nothing but me and Christopher and my knife.

I imagined how his flesh would give when I applied the perfect amount of pressure.

Could conjure his screams.

I felt my satisfaction at hearing them until his voice gave out.

I took a step.

Snapped back to here.

Now.

To her.

“Jack.” Asia’s voice was quiet.

I ignored her. “If I hadn’t been here⁠—”

Christopher, dumb fucking Christopher, decided to speak. “But you were here, and we’re all grateful for it.”

He looked at Asia when he said it. She was focused on me.

A smile slid across Christopher’s face and he leaned toward me. “But Asia’s a lot tougher than she looks. Always has been.”

“Please, Jack…”

My fists clenched.

I looked at her.

She was pleading.

For him.

“He put you in danger,” I whispered.

She shook her head. “Please…”

Christopher shrugged, seemingly unaware of how close he was to death. “The world’s a dangerous place. And besides, I didn’t bring her here.”

“Christopher!” Asia said sharply. His eyes widened, but Christopher shut the fuck up.

“Let’s just get out of here.” Her voice was steady. Too steady. “We got what we came for.”

Her tone was so polite, so reasonable.

So fucking revolting.

The one I was sure she used when she handled difficult clients, professional. Distant.