They Rise at Dusk (Book #1) ✔️

Chapter 15: Small Crimes

I trailed Jax's tattoos with my fingers, following the intricate lines and swirls, and this time he let me. He lay on the bed, both of his hands behind his head, and stared at me.

I couldn't quite read his expression; his jaw was clenched, but his eyes calm and peaceful, like he enjoyed looking at me. Every now and then, he'd touch my hair and tuck the loose strands behind my ear. His fingers would trail the curve of my body then, sending shivers down my spine.

As the night devoured the world, my concerns soaked up in bliss, until they disappeared under the surface and melted.

I wondered if I liked him more because he was human.

Ever since I was born, I've known I'd end up with a vampire. My father made it clear from the start. He's also made it clear that it wouldn't be entirely my decision.

Being with Jax made me feel free to an extant I've never thought possible. I thought I'd always be bound by rules and expectations, but I've broken every single one of them and I was still alive. And happy. Content. For the first time in two years.

"What does this one mean?" I touched the spider web tattoo hugging his elbow, and was surprised when he laughed.

"I got that one when I was fifteen or sixteen." He shook his head, as if embarrassed. "Convicted felons tattoo spider webs sometimes, to emphasize how long they've been imprisoned."

I raised my eyebrow, "Are you telling me you were in jail?"

"No." Jax laughed. "My friends and I thought it would be cool if someone thought we were in jail. I was a bit edgy back then."

"I can tell." I grinned, then touched the female names tattooed on his other arm, on the bicep. "I hope these are not names of lovers."

Jax chuckled, "It's my mom, grandma, sister and my niece. In that order."

Valeria, Camilla, Carmen, Lilly.

"You must really love them." I murmured, warmth flooding my insides.

"Everything I do, I do for them." Jax shrugged, like it was something one simply did. "To make this world better for them."

Jealousy stung my veins. Not the bitter, malicious kind, but the sad and soft, disappointed kind. The kind that made me wish my family cared enough about me to tattoo my name on their body.

But my family was different. Every man for himself, my father used to say. Homo homini lupus. If you couldn't survive on your own, you didn't deserve to live.

"I wish I had a family like that." I said, "Someone who'd tattoo my name on their body."

"I'll tattoo your name on my body."

I looked up, my mouth falling open. I gathered myself, and forced a chuckle, shaking my head playfully, but Jax stared at me without a hint of humour in his eyes.

"Why not?" He shrugged, "You intend to stay in my life long enough to deserve a tattoo, don't you?"

My chuckle died out.

"Are you always this direct?"

"Honesty is my policy." Jax tucked his hands underneath his head again and looked up at the ceiling. "I hate liars."

I tried with all I had not to show pain on my face. Of course, he hated liars. Everyone hated liars. There was nothing strange or wrong about it. I was the one who was wrong, for thinking I could use this man without consequences, for thinking I had any right to use him in the first place.

"Tell me honestly then." I leaned against my elbow. "What do you do for a living?"

Jax still stared at the ceiling.