Page 106 of His to Burn

It was a great find.

Most people didn’t keep them around anymore. But as I looked at the bright paper, Asia’s plan seemed feasible.

“So that’s the plan, huh?”

She shrugged. “You tell me.”

“I think it’ll work. But we need?—”

Whatever I was going to say was lost in the sound of shattering glass.

TWENTY-FOUR

Asia

Once I processed the sound, I was too pissed to be scared.

I glanced at Jack. “This shit is getting old,” I whispered.

“Get ready,” was his only answer.

He stared intently toward the sound, his jaw ticking, which told me he clenched his teeth and ready for whatever would come. Two glass doors led to a short hallway that led to another set.

It sounded like one of the doors was broken.

I heard muffled steps outside, and I tried to figure out if it was more of those things. I didn’tknow which would be worse—and didn’t bother to try to figure it out.

Instead, I stood, ready like Jack ordered, mind empty, heart racing as I listened.

Realized it was people.

The sounds were too purposeful, not clumsy, unthinking like those things had been so far. I also thought I heard faint whispers, but that could have been my imagination.

I looked at Jack again.

Saw the worry in his expression before he pushed it down and nodded toward the side door.

Silently, we took position.

He was out front, clearly visible to whoever might walk in—but that was intentional.

He would distract them, and of course, attack.

I would come in from behind and help neutralize the threat.

The sun had risen, but the restaurant’s entrance faced west, so the lobby was filled with ominous shadows. My mind didn’t have to stretch to imagine the monsters that could be hiding there.

By now, I’d seen so many, I didn’t need help.

One of the shadows moved. Hesitant at first and then increasingly confident.

I realized it tried to open the door without completely destroying it.

So whoever it was, they were looking for someplace to hide.

That might be a good sign.

People just searching for safety, like Jack and I, meant we might not have to fight off people looking to take.