Page 90 of Bound in Ashes

And it reminded me of how dangerous she was.

I needed to put distance between us.

Asia noticed the shift.

She noticed everything.

But she didn’t comment on it.

“Yeah. You don’t cower to him. And knowing you like I do, you probably never did. Guys like Hayes can’t handle that shit,” I said.

I stood, sticking my foot in my boots.

“But I guess we better go see what’s what?” I said.

“Do you think we should try to get anything? There’s stuff at the farm, but getting what we can won’t hurt,” she said.

“I just want to be out of here,” I responded.

She looked like she wanted to argue, but didn’t.

We dressed. And though I disliked the distance I felt between us now, I knew it was inevitable, and also important.

“I hope you had a restful night,” Christopher said.

He stood in front of the bed and breakfast.

I didn’t have proof, but it wouldn’t surprise me to learn he had been there all night.

He looked at Asia, his gaze lingering.

It put me on edge. And for all the wrong reasons.

I still hadn’t quite decided what to make of Christopher, but one thing was sure. I fucking hated the guy, and couldn’t wait till I was away from him, or better yet, he was in the fucking ground.

“Good morning, Christopher,” Asia said.

Her voice was one I didn’t recognize, and one I didn’t like.

Christopher looked at me, expectantly.

I looked back at him and didn’t say a word.

“You guys hungry? You can walk over to the diner and have some breakfast,” he said.

“Okay—”

“We’re ready to get out of here,” I said, cutting off Asia.

“I’ll bet,” Christopher said, smiling. “But come have a meal. It’s all free,” he said.

“Okay,” Asia said, looking at me warily.

I clenched my teeth, but didn’t say anything. Instead, I followed Asia, my gaze squarely on Christopher.

“So, you became some hot shot lawyer in Atlanta,” he said.

“I wouldn’t say I was a hot shot,” Asia responded. Her voice was flat. Professional.