Page 5 of Desiderium (Devil Dogs of the Apocalypse #2)

Jax

“Tryon Palace…”

When I made the choice to blow it up, it, definitely, wasn’t one made lightly. I loved that place. I loved the peace it brought me. The tranquility. It calmed something in me that had been raging for a long time.

But then Aly came.

I realized, then, after I got my head out of my ass, that I didn’t need the house to find peace.

I no longer needed a physical barrier between me and the outside world to combat my demons.

I just needed her. She’s become my harbor in the storm.

My heart. My home. Between her and the guys, I have all I’ll ever want or need.

The estate really was just a superficial wish.

But Aly and the guys? They’re the dream.

“It’s perfect,” I reply. “What do you guys think?” I look to Hawk and Cole.

Although they look to me to make the big decisions and be the leader, I won’t do so without their input and approval.

Especially with this. It’s a big deal whether they realize it or not.

Where we choose to go could either be a new Heaven for us, or Hell reimagined.

We, quite literally, have no idea what we might be up against.

Between all of us living at the estate, and then the bungalow, travel was kept to a minimum.

We only left each place to scout for supplies or, in one spectacular instance, to run for our lives.

There was never a huge road trip to consider.

The variables that we’re about to go up against are unfathomable.

It could be the smoothest journey ever, or the most dangerous. We have no idea.

Tryon Palace is in New Bern, about a two-to-three-hour drive for us.

Well... that’s if we’re even able to drive the entire way.

We currently have no vehicle, since mine was in the garage when I sent thermobaric rockets into the house and blew everything up, which means we’re going to have to scavenge for one on the way.

And even if we do end up finding one, it may not provide that much help anyways.

According to Aly, she walked the entire way from New York to North Carolina, not because she wanted to, but because of the many inaccessible roadways caused by broken down or abandoned vehicles.

I remember early on, when I traveled by myself to the base in Jacksonville, how there were already cars piling up on the sides of the roads.

But that had been at the very beginning of the contagion.

We’re over a year in now, so I can only imagine how much worse it’s gotten since then.

Especially after seeing the number of dead and undead continue to exponentially increase in this neck of the woods.

Cole responds first, a slow smile spreading on his face, brightening his eyes with possibility, “I love it. It might be old as hell but it’s an historic building for a reason.

Governor Tryon definitely decked it out in his time.

He set the bar for luxury back then which, luckily for us, means it’ll definitely have everything we need, even if it’s as basic as baking soda.

If they could make it work back then, we sure as hell can make it work for us now. ”

“You really are a fucking nerd sometimes,” I laugh under my breath, punching him in the shoulder while he joins me in laughing at the science joke he so nonchalantly threw in there.

He knows I’m just fucking with him. While Hawk and I might have the street smarts, Cole, for sure, has the book smarts.

He was a Corpsman when we were in the military, but after we all discharged, he went on to continue his medical training, furthering his knowledge to become a critical care nurse.

He's had to study and train for years to get to where he was before the world ended, and even though we bust his balls about it from time to time, we’re all still proud of what he’s accomplished.

Hawk huffs out a laugh, having noticed the chemistry pun as well.

He’s been tentative about answering my question but eventually responds with a grimace.

“Well, I didn’t see an algae-filled jacuzzi on the brochure, or any oversized Alaskan king-sized beds, last I checked…

but I guess it’ll do.” His sarcasm isn’t missed on anyone as his face breaks out into an even more excited smile, making us all continue to laugh at his nonsense.

There's a feeling of general lightheartedness and overall comradery in the air. The excitement filling the room is palpable and suddenly I can’t wait to start this next step on our journey.

Let’s face it, we’re running out of food as it is and it’s early enough in the day to get a decent start.

Why the fuck not? “What do you say we make a list and start packing essentials? Nothing’s keeping us here.

And with the weather turning warmer it’s the perfect time to prepare ourselves to head out.

” I look around to gage their reactions.

When I hear no objections, I keep going; filled to the brim with motivation to get started.

“Unfortunately, we’re probably going to have to hoof it for a good chunk of the journey.

We obviously don’t have a car, unless y’all want to cram onto the loud ass lawn mower for hours at a time.

” I give them all a doubtful look which they each return.

“Exactly. It’s probably for the best, anyhow.

At least for now. I honestly don’t think we’ll get that far with a vehicle with the roads all clogged to hell, nowadays.

So, until we need one, I say we’d be fine without. ”

“It still sounds good to me, man. It’s a hike to New Bern but we could probably get there in a few days if we keep a good pace, even without transport.

” Cole’s chair scrapes against the floor as he stands up, lifting Aly with him, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and squeezing one with reassurance.

“And with our gorgeous girl running now, I’m sure we’ll arrive in no time. ”

“Fuck yes, let’s get a move on. The sooner we leave, the sooner we can christen every inch of that dusty monument.

” Hawk jumps up to stand right beside them, his devilish gaze mimicking Cole’s, falling on Aly as she gets pressed between both of them.

“Be ready for it, sweetheart. We’re gonna wax the floors with that fine ass of yours until the entire building is gleaming. ”

Aly visibly trembles as Hawk’s promise sinks in and I have to subtly adjust myself because, damn …

. The visual is enough to make my mouth water and make me want to go for round two from earlier.

But no, we need to start preparing to leave here.

With the supplies currently on hand, we might have a day or two left max and we’re gonna need those rations for the trip.

Plus, you can’t hike with a boner, so, down boy.

Cole and Hawk seem to be on the same page, but it’s the wrong page in the wrong chapter in a completely different novel and need to get their heads in the game.

Their hands are all over Aly and if I don’t stop this, we’ll never leave.

It’s been like this all winter. All someone has to do is make a side-eye, say a snarky inuendo, or just look in the general direction of Aly and boom …

Clothes start flying all over the place.

It’s a wonder we weren’t naked the entire time.

“Hey!” All three of them stop caressing each other and turn my way.

I look at Aly, the slow smirk rising on my lips projecting promise and passion.

She sees it. I know she sees it. Her pale complexion is my biggest ally as I watch the patch of skin from her chest to her neck blush a deep crimson.

She squeezes her thighs together seconds later .

Yeah, I feel it too, baby.

“Baby girl… come here.” I stand up as she unwinds herself from Cole and Hawk’s embrace and saunters over to my position.

She stands there, looking up at me from under her lashes, coy and submissive, waiting.

I push a piece of stray hair behind her ear, playing with the tendril as I tempt her.

“Would you like to play a game?” I say under my breath, my lips coming down to just below her ear.

She shivers when the heat from my mouth reaches the sensitive spot on her neck.

A visceral reaction to our never-ending primal attraction to one another.

“What kind of game?” She asks, shuddering the words. I can already see her body quaking with excitement. We played a lot of games this winter and she loved every one of them.

I take her in my arms and turn her around to face the guys.

My one arm drapes around her shoulders, my hand falling to caress her collar bone and trace the tantalizing dip between her breasts.

Goosebumps erupt, following the trail my fingers make on her pale skin.

My other hand goes around her waist, toying with the skin just below her navel.

Leaning down, I whisper in her ear, just loud enough for the guys to hear, “We’re gonna make a list for each of us. A list of essentials we need to find and pack to bring with us on the trip. The first person who packs all the stuff on their respective list, gets a prize.”

She inhales sharply as my fingers slowly make their way down her chest, following the supple curve of her gorgeous breasts. I toy with her nipple, forcing it to a hard peak before surrounding her with my hand, squeezing lightly. “What’s the prize?” she asks.

I breathe in the scent of her hair. My fingers still exploring her, teasing her, tempting her. “Anything the winner wants,” I state simply.

Her breath stalls on a gasp. “Anything?” she questions before turning her focus onto Cole and Hawk. Their eyes go wide with her unspoken intention.

Oh yeah. Anything can mean just that...

ANYTHING.

I smirk at their startled responses, secretly knowing this would bring Aly into the game. Hook, line and sinker.

The gauntlet has been set.

Players on the board.

All we need is consent.

“Game on…,” she utters decisively.

Cole and Hawk look to one another quickly, silent words passing between their eyes before settling on a collective decision. They turn back to us, nodding emphatically.

“Game on.”