Page 63 of His to Burn

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“You think the military is shooting people?”

It seemed too horrible to contemplate, but what other choice did I have.

“If money were worth anything, I’d bet my life savings on it.” Jack’s gaze was on mine, stoic.

Unwavering.

Undeniable.

“Fuck,” I muttered.

Jack was kind enough to give me an almost smile.

“Expected. And necessary if there’s a shot they’ll get control of this shit,” he said.

I didn’t dare ask if he thought that was a possibility. He’d tell me the truth, and I couldn’t handle that now.

Instead I looked around the judge’s familiar living room.

“So we’ll make the best of it?” I finally said.

Jack nodded. “That’s our only choice.”

FIFTEEN

Asia

I exhaled, knowing he was telling the truth.

We started to move again, but I reached for Jack’s arm as we passed the hallway that led to the guest room. “One sec.”

“I thought we decided on the garage,” Jack said.

He wasn’t exactly annoyed, but I already knew how little Jack appreciated deviations from his plans.

“We did and we will, but can you give me ten minutes?” I asked.

He frowned. “I kept a bag here. Just in case. I want to shower and change,” I said.

Jack tilted his head and stared at me, considering. “Ten minutes, Counselor.”

“I feel like I should salute or something, but I guess I’ll just say thanks,” I said with a laugh as I walked away.

Maybe it wasn’t the safest thing, but I needed these few minutes to get clean and compose myself. It wouldn’t change anything at all, but it would make me feel better, and that wasn’t nothing.

“Bingo!” I said as I grabbed the small black bag from the guest room closet.

I allowed myself a smile when I found the tennis shoes, yoga pants, T-shirt, and underwear that I had kept there. Exactly nine minutes and forty-two seconds after I went into the guest room, I came out clean, changed, and almost human.

Jack stood where I left him.

“Were you really timing me?” I asked.

He nodded. “Yup.”

I laughed, but Jack didn’t join in. “What kind of relationship did you have with Judge Hanlon?” he asked.

His implication was clear.

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