Dusk of Humanity
Page 32
Archer leaned in and gave Sloan a quick peck. “I’ll be back in a second.”
As soon as he was out of earshot, Britney took Sloan’s arm and cooed, “What was that all about?”
It was nice to know there were some things the apocalypse hadn’t broken and her sister’s love for gossip was one of them. “Another long story. I’ll tell you all about it, but first a shower.”
***
After a quick meal, Britney led Sloan up the stairs to the bathroom and gathered clean linens and additional first aid items for her wrist. It wasn’t like she didn’t know where everything was—Britney kept the house arranged just as their mother had—but Sloan enjoyed the company.
“Axel started the generator so you’d have hot water. It’ll only run about fifteen minutes, tops. It’s up to you how much you leave for Archer.” She gave a little wink—the way only Brit could—and left her alone.
The water hit Sloan’s skin and she moaned. She’d almost forgotten what a hot shower felt like with The Bunker’s water always bordering on lukewarm.
The Bunker.
A dozen images bombarded her mind followed by a roller coaster of emotions. Her legs trembled as she crumbled to the ground. Sobs racked her body. All those people who were killed. How many more did they leave behind?
“Sloan?” Archer threw back the curtains and helped her to her feet. Without another word, his damp clothes hit the floor and he by her side, soaping up a washrag and scrubbing away the blood and grime that coated her body. Her terror diminished and was replaced by an overwhelming sense of relief.
He moved to her head; first with shampoo then conditioner and massaged her scalp until her legs felt like putty. It was intimate, comforting, but there was no sexual tension to speak of. Neither had the energy nor the heart after everything they’d been through.
After they’d dried and changed into the clean clothes Brit had brought in, Sloan led them to Molly’s room. Brit insisted Sloan stay in the house—at least for the night. Sloan was torn by the offer. On one hand she wanted nothing more than to sleep in her childhood room, but she also felt guilty for the luxury.
“There’s a small camper I left empty,” Archer said as he closed the door behind him. “Perfect for two people. Next to the one Evelyn’s staying in.”
Sloan narrowed her eyes. “How did you know?”
“I feel the same way. Guilty about being in here instead of with them. After everything…”
Sloan took a seat on the bed. “Tomorrow, then?”
Archer plopped down beside her. “If I can pry you away from your sister.”
“She’s always been a bit overprotective.”
“That’s not a bad thing, Slash.” He nuzzled and kissed her neck.
Sloan sighed, ready to return the favor when she heard the knock at the door. “Come in.”
Brit entered carrying a tray of fruit and grinning. “How’s everything?”
“Good,” Sloan said, eying her sister.
“I’m going to check on our people.” He kissed Sloan’s forehead. “Be back soon.”
Brit took Archer’s place on the bed but waited until they could hear footsteps on the stairs before she spoke. “So, Slash. How did that happen?”
“How many times did Mama and Daddy scold you for eavesdropping?”
Brit laughed. “Not enough, apparently.”
There was a question Sloan had been meaning to ask, about a certain someone she had yet to see, but her sister was in such a good mood —
“It happened just after the news broke.”
Sloan was taken aback. “What?”
“The question rattling around in that big fat brain of yours. About what happened to John.”
“Oh, Brit.” She clutched her sister’s hand. “I’m so sorry.”
A tear rolled down her cheek but she quickly wiped it away. “It was rough at first. Just me and the kids. And the world falling apart around us. But we made it with some help.”
“Hey, babe.” Axel peeked his head through the door. “I’m putting the kids to bed. Want me to read the bedtime story? Give you and your sister time to catch up?”
Sloan was shocked at the sight before her. This big, bad-ass biker of a man with a six-year-old hanging off each hip asking about bedtime stories. And calling her sister babe!
“Please, Mom? Please!” Molly begged.
“Yeah,” Blake added. “Axel is the best bedtime storyteller ever!”
“Of course Axel can. Blow me kisses. I’ll be in there in a bit to tell you goodnight.”
They left the room and Sloan whipped around. “Speaking of stories…”
Brit shook her head and threw herself onto the mattress. “I’ll make you a deal. You tell me yours and I’ll tell you mine.”
Britney and Axel’s story will be revealed in the next installment of the Dusk of Humanity Series, Descent of Humanity, which is slated to be released late 2018 - early 2019.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
As a life time reader, M.K. Dawn always dreamed about becoming a writer. Then one day an idea came to her and then a story; so she started to write. And when she started to write, she couldn’t stop.
M.K. lives in South Texas with her husband and two children. When she isn’t writing, she is reading, watching her favorite TV shows or dreaming about sitting on a beach somewhere.