Page 72 of Claimed By Ruin

“How do you know Asia?” Christopher asked. “A client of hers? She get you out of some charges or something?”

“None of your business, cerdo,” Miles spat.

“Miles!”

When I stopped next to Miles, I saw Lourdes staring at him, her expression a sick-making mix of fear, pride, and anger.

Christopher smiled, then chuckled, but his eyes were hard, glinting with insanity. Did I miss it before, or was it new?

It didn’t matter.

He pulled a handkerchief out of his front pocket. Unfolded it. Then refolded it and put it back in his pocket. “You know, part of a community is making sure that everyone does their part, and that people learn their lesson. Keep this up, son, and I’m gonna have to arrest you.” He stepped closer to the porch. Closer to Miles. “To protect my community.”

“You’re not taking him anywhere,” Lourdes said. Her eyes were burning now, fierce.

I stepped past Miles and onto the porch, “Let’s all calm down.”

“Morning, Miss Newman.” Christopher paused to look at the sky, one eyebrow quirked at the sun, which burned high, leaving no doubt that morning was long past. “We are calm, Asia,” Christopher said, “but I thought you of all people understood community.”

“Of course I do, Christopher. Uncle Levi, this town, your father, even you have shown me that.”

I stepped off the porch, trying not to grimace when mud from the truck’s bumper smeared on my pants. It would take at least half an hour to get that off on the wash board. But maybe I should find a clothing store to scavenge. Conscious consumption was something I prided myself on but handwashing laundry was hell on my back and would only get worse as⁠—

“Well, I’m glad those lessons seeped in.”

I whipped my head to Christopher, blinked, forcing myself to focus on what he said.

“But there’s word and deed, Asia, and they aren’t the same thing.”

“Of-of course not,” I said, smiling at Christopher as I walked towards the side of the house. “I understand that. It’s just, since, you know⁠—”

I glanced at him and saw no emotion at all as he shook his head. “That recent ugliness. Unfortunate mess, but we both took losses. And you losing two…Did you lose Jack or did he just hightail it out of here?”

I let out a brittle laugh. “I may never know. Anyway, here are some things you might find useful.”

Christopher pushed me aside and opened the twenty-gallon plastic storage tub I left on the side of the house.

“What do we have here?” He muttered as he rummaged through the tub. “Salt, a package of bandages, bleach—what’s this? Board games, books, mineral water?”

“Yes, I know the kids in town must get underfoot sometimes. The books and games might distract them. And the water…” I trailed off and gathered myself. “I mean, doesn’t hurt to have if you don’t have time to boil or filter.”

Christopher frowned as he looked at the bin. “One gift of this fallen world is keeping this trash out of our kids’ minds.” He threw the books and games on the ground and put the lid back on the tote. “But I guess we can make use of the rest.”

He gestured around at the farm. “You think you can handle this?”

Fuck no, but I’ll never say that to you.

I smiled so big my cheeks hurt. “We’re all just doing the best we can.”

He smacked my shoulder. “Keep it up, and you might survive.”

My shoulder stung, and as I watched Christopher walk away, I couldn’t help but think of Jack. If he were here, he would have cut off Christopher’s hand and fed it to him.

But Jack wasn’t here.

I walked back to the house.

TWENTY-SIX