Read Online The Risen: Dawning by Marie F Crow - Free Book Online Page B

comes in our direction, and even with the events around us, I feel the familiar stirrings within me as he slides over the bar counter with the strength of his body to support him. I fall into his arms, wordlessly seeking his comfort to the sounds of whistles around us. We are the favorite joke of the club. Even today’s horrors could not change that fact. Today though, his defined arms are trembling as they hold me close. His hands rest on the back of my body, pulling me in tighter than normal. As I melt into the heat of his body surrounding me, I know his mind is not with me. I am taking reassurance from him, but he is taking strength from me whatever chore for J.D. his mind is already running through.
    “You done?” J.D.’s strong voice shakes us back to the world we so want to escape from together. I feel, more than see, Lawless pull himself together, slipping away from me slowly and reluctantly. The light from his eyes dims and his smile melts to blank serenity. He wraps both hands around my head and places a lingering kiss on my forehead before following J.D. out emotionless. Aimes and I both stand watching the two men that have become our universe slip out of the main bar.
    We both have learned in our early days not to ask questions. No matter how loudly those very questions may echo in our minds. When I hear my voice doing just that, I am not sure who is shocked more by it. “Where are you going?”
    “Disney World” J.D. answers slowly with a mixed smile of amusement and reprimand. “So why don’t you and Alice there keep the dwarfs happy while we are away?”
    The door swings shut behind them, but not before Lawless gives me a wink so full with false hope my soul hurts for him.
    “If I am Alice, who the hell are you?” Aimes turns to me with her mock anger expressed on her face.
    “Since the dwarf mention, I guess I’m Snow White.” I shrug, filling another glass with ice.
    “I can see it. He is not the most creative, but I can see it.” She smiled her signature smile.” I suppose we should just be happy he didn’t ask us to give them all rides with the theme park analogy he was trying to rock there.”
    We both wrinkle our nose at the thought, causing a roar of disappointment among those sitting at the bar and the flow of joking invitations begins. The world may very well be ending but still the familiar male thought is constant. Under the mounted replica of the club’s grinning skull, we continue our games of flirting and pouring. Life goes on.

Chapter 13
    “Y ou sure this is the way to go? It feels wrong. Just, wrong.” Lawless’ dark jean-clad legs are holding his motorcycle in place as he lights the end of a cigarette. The glow burns bright from the first rush of inhalation. His black tee shirt clings to the many contours of his arms and wide shoulders under the club’s signature leather vest. The grinning skull upon its back is a little more fitting than normal today. Staring across the lot from behind dark sunglasses, he scans the area watching the shapes move around them. “Dunno man. These are our people.”
    J.D.’s hand grasps the back of Lawless’ neck, bringing his focus roughly around to him. “Says who? How many of those in there do you really know? Huh? Gimme their names and we will save them all. Blaze of glory. The whole deal.” His voice echoes with the heavy acid of sarcasm.
    “Look around you, Son. You see any of them big saviors heading in our direction? You hear any of those loud sirens screaming towards us? They have all left, Son. None of those big brave saviors left around here now. No, we are on our own. It’s just you and me to see this through. Whatever the hell is happening, we are on our own here. I am not letting a room full of weak willed excuses drag us down.” J.D. leans in close so that they are almost eye-to-eye with each other.
    “We take care of those that care about us. You know that. The rest, well fuck ‘em. I never wanted to save the world