Deploy, Part One (Rawlings #1)(11)

“Come on,” he said with a tight nod.

The wind had stilled, but Declan could see the clouds stirring in the distance, daring to attack. The saying calm before the storm had merit—still was not good.

He sent a text to Nolan as they walked. U sure it’s 2 bad 2 leave.

His response was quick. Stuck. You good?

No. Fine.

Justice glanced over her shoulder toward the steps that lead out.

“It’s not safe to leave, I just checked,” Declan said shortly.

“As if those eerie sirens said otherwise.”

He drew his brow together questioning why her words were bold, but her tone was shaking. Assuming it was the storm stirring her, he placed his hand on the small of her back and led her away from the growl of Mother Nature.

Even though his hand was barely touching her, he could feel her shiver, and it took all the willpower he could muster to not pull her against him. He couldn’t handle the idea of her being scared.

Even though they were walking away from the opening of the dugout, moving further underground where the locker rooms were—with each step, the more electric the air seemed to become.

I’m way too aware of this girl.

Right as they passed the coach’s office the weather radio on his desk went off, sounding a horrible noise that would’ve made anyone think the end of the world was breathing down their neck. Declan let go of her and stepped inside to grab it then turned it down a bit, thinking it would help with her nerves. He listened to the warning that followed. Nolan was right, it was worse than they thought it was going to be all week.

Holding the radio, he stepped back out and guided her down the hall toward the locker rooms. She hesitated outside the doors. “Is this allowed?” she asked in the most innocent voice he’d ever heard.

He couldn’t help the dangerous smile that emerged. “I think in a life or death situation no rules apply.”

“Good to know,” she said under her breath.

He heard and it caused him to arch his brow in question. She didn’t see it, though, she was too busy taking in the forbidden territory of the boys’ locker room that was wet and littered with towels. She always imagined the smell would be rank, but instead it was rich with cologne and the hint of Irish Spring soap.

Declan adjusted the bag on his shoulder then pushed the door open wider, guiding her as he took her hand. “It’s slick in here,” he said to offer an excuse. “Don’t fall.”

When she tightened her grip on him his heart thundered in response.

He led her down the aisle a ways, beyond the showers and the lockers. He squeezed her hand a little tighter each time her steps would dare to hesitate as he pulled her further and further underground. He was determined to get her to the safest place under this school.

“There are storage areas back here. Used to be at least. We get there and we’ll be in the inner most room, underground.”

“I would’ve never thought to go back here,” she admitted.

His look was incredulous. “Surely you know how to ride a storm out?”

“In a cellar with a good book. Tends to be less than riveting, well...depending on the book, I guess.”

He bit his lip so he wouldn’t smile. She read through storms and he partied. “Well, see there’s your mistake. You’ve never ridden one out with a Rawlings.”

A crimson blush washed down Justice; the wave of a dare that landed her there was quivering under his penetrating gaze. “And what exactly have I been missing? Where are your brothers tonight?”

Three sheets to the wind. “Under the bar, which is wall to wall with food and beer, more than likely with, um, friends, too.”

“This must suck for you, then,” Justice said glancing away, wondering what girl he’d had in mind for tonight before she trapped him.

Hardly. “I’ve lived through worse.”

True to his word, further down the hall right past a wide doorway was a healthy sized closet. Blue foam cushions the wrestling team used were on the floor and leaning up against each wall.

“Nice and safe,” he said as he urged her in. “I’m going to head back and look for some batteries for this thing,” he said holding up the radio.

Her eyes cast a wide glance at him, begging him to not leave her alone back there.

“Five seconds. Settle in. My brother just texted again, said line of storms is right on us. They already lost power at the bar.”

She shakily nodded then dropped her bag. When she looked up he was gone. One breath at a time. You want to be here...





Three


Justice kept pacing back and forth on the mats laid across the six-foot space. She could hear the thunder and wind whistling by the vents above her head.

“It’s bad isn’t it,” she said when Declan came back looking like a man in charge, who didn’t care what was coming at him—he was going to stand tall anyhow. He had the radio in one hand, a flashlight under one arm, and a handful of towels. And his same tragically pissed expression.

“Even if it was, we’re underground,” he said as he dropped the towels. He spread a few out then nodded for her to have a seat. The mats were soft but he had no idea how clean they were. If it was up him he’d have hunted down a feather bed for her to rest on, but this would have to do.