Page 40 of Purgatory (Devil Dogs of the Apocalypse #1)

Hawk

“Ah, just another day in paradise,” I frustratingly sigh to myself.

I just finished my last round of the night.

Three fences. THREE. And they all need to be mended a.s.a.p.

Fuck my life. If Jax or I had found them earlier we would have been on the job already.

Unfortunately, these fences are on the furthest edges of the estates border by the lake-where I fish and check the snares.

They were fine this morning, but now they are straight up FUBARed.

Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition. I’m not even sure what the hell caused them to be so jacked up but there they are, all twisted and shit.

I let the others know as soon as I got back. They weren’t happy about it either but the sun is setting and it’s not safe for anyone to be out this late at night. Zombies aren’t the only thing we need to worry about. There are other things that go bump in the night.

On a good note, Jax, God bless his awesome ass, had dinner all prepped and ready for us to eat.

He looks like a man on a mission but strangely lighter than usual.

The outing with Cole and Aly must have done the trick cause he’s looking down right chipper.

It’s a weird look on a guy who epitomizes the definition of a scowl but it’s good to see him happy again.

I take a few minutes to run upstairs, take a quick shower and get into some comfy clothes.

When I get back downstairs, Cole and Aly walk in through the patio doors and move for the kitchen sink.

They look like they just got done working in the garden for a good chunk of the day.

Even after they finish washing their hands for dinner they’re still a mess.

Aly has a bit of dirt across her forehead and on her nose making her look even more adorable than usual. Our little Cinderella.

After we finish with dinner, Aly clears the plates and excuses herself, telling us all that she’s tired of being covered in worm poop.

Her words not mine. Jax goes to cleaning up his prep area while Cole and I work in tandem on the dishes.

Him drying while I wash. I finish quickly, anxious to get upstairs and hang out with Aly, since those fuckers got her all day, but when I get up to the landing, I stop dead in my tracks.

She’s standing there in the middle of the hallway between the bathroom and her bedroom, hair still damp, her hands clinging to a towel that’s barely covering her. It could be a hand towel for all I know considering how terrible a job it’s doing. Must be my lucky day after all.

She makes a little squeak of surprise and walks a little quicker towards her room. I smile at her coyness as I stalk behind her.

That’s ok, little mouse. I’ll chase you to the ends of the Earth. Ten feet isn’t going to stop me.

I walk up to her doorway, pushing the door open with two fingers so slowly you can hear the hauntingly, low creak from its hinges.

Staying in the doorway, I see her standing there in the middle of the room, absolutely stark naked and beautiful beyond comparison.

She gasps and tries to hide herself behind her hands, angling her body away from my view.

You can’t hide from me, sweetheart. I’ll always find you.

I cock my eyebrow at her shyness, bite my lip and look her up and down.

She is beauty personified. She has nothing she needs to hide from me and I don’t like that she feels the need to.

I stalk towards her slowly, shaking my head, the word no falling from my lips.

I notice she’s in front of the vanity. Perfect.

She smiles but is still confused as I approach. That’s understandable. She’s probably never had anyone do what I’m about to do before. Honestly, neither have I, but it needs to be done.

I stop in front of her, wrapping a hand around her waist and pulling her into my arms. She’s shivering, but not from being cold. Her skin is burning at my touch. Nervousness, anxiousness, fear? “Don’t worry, sweetheart, I’ve got you.”

I turn her in my arms. Her back to my chest. When she notices her position in front of the mirror she clams up again, eyes wide open but focusing everywhere but directly at her reflection, while struggling to cover herself. That won’t do at all.

Slowly, I take her wrists in my hands and pull them away from how she’s shielding her body.

She's reluctant but eventually gives in, opening herself for not only me, but for herself as well. I’m proud of her for trusting me and allowing her vulnerability to show.

I lean in to whisper close to her ear. “What’s wrong? ”

“Nothing.” She shakes her head, still looking away from the mirror and me.

“You know you’re beautiful, don’t you?” I look at her through the mirror’s reflection and, despite the way she’s angled herself, can see her lower lip quivering. That definitely won’t do...

A sound comes from the doorway and we both turn to see Cole standing there shirtless, wearing just some sleep pants, his arms hanging onto the top of the doorframe. He must have just showered also.

“Answer the question, Aly,” Cole says, cocking his eyebrow like I would imagine I just did. Do I look like that when I do it? Fuck, that’s effective. Makes me want to answer for her. Holy shit.

She stutters out an incoherent response which makes Cole drop his arms and walk closer to us. He comes to a stop in front of her, our bodies essentially sandwiching her between our bigger frames. Her back still to my chest, while she faces Cole’s.

“Look at me.” The low, growly words out of Cole’s mouth are practically a command and one she follows immediately.

I can even feel the hair on the back of my neck prickle in response to the sound.

It takes me by surprise. Out in public he tends to be seen as the Omega of the group.

I guess, in reality, he’s an Alpha in disguise.

Huh, figures. He’s smaller than Jax and myself and is quieter as well.

You wouldn’t know he had a dominant side behind closed doors.

To be honest, after seeing this display, we all sort of have dominant sides.

I guess Cole is just the viper of the group. Sneaky, sneaky Doc.

“You are beautiful. Every. Single. Inch of you.” His one hand trails down her side, fingertips barely touching her, making goosebumps erupt on her naked skin.

His other hand claims her face, his thumb stroking her jaw and cheek.

My hands are still on Aly, drifting down her hips and then back up and around her waist. Cole’s looking right into her eyes as he tells her this, but it still doesn’t seem to sink in.

If Cole wasn’t blocking the mirror, I’d guarantee she’d still be hiding.

“Tell you what, how about we show you how gorgeous we think you are.” I can’t see her face but the quick, sudden gasp and faster breaths say he’s struck a chord.

Cole must see something he likes cause his lips lift in a smirk.

He looks to me and we immediately are on the same page.

After a few seconds, Aly lets out a tentative, “O-okay...”

Fuck yes.