Page 102 of Pretend
If I could have it my way, I would never leave his side until he woke up. I want to be the first person he sees when he opens his eyes, but if I am, then everyone will definitely know that there’s something going on between us.
So, every time I come to visit, it’s with Kane by my side, escorting me since he’s still on PSD for me. That hasn’t changed. I stay as long as I can and then leave with Kane, hoping it won’t make anything obvious. Worrying about the person who has been assigned to protect you shouldn’t be a crime. Right?
“Slaughter.”
“Yes, Valentin?” He props his head from his phone.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For not saying anything. For keeping our secret.” I motion towards Daegan and me with my finger.
“Of course. Creature and Lopez are the only ones that didn’t judge me or shun me off the team once shit hit the fan with Grim’s girl. He doesn’t say much. And when he does, it’s cryptic and morbid. His dark humor is a mask. He doesn’t let anyone in, but for some reason…he let you in. He did with you, and I don’t want to fuck with that. We all deserve a love that’s worth bleeding for…even if it’s forbidden, complicated, and chaotic.”
“Kane. I really hope you’ve found the one with this girl. You’re too kind. and if she breaks your heart, I will hunt her down myself.” I joke, nudging him with my shoulder playfully.
He laughs, and his warm smile radiates with sunshine and bliss. His dark lashes blink rapidly, and he scrolls through his phone, quickly like he wants to show me something. Finally, he lifts it so I can see the screen.
It’s a selfie. A picture of Kane and his girlfriend. He holds her close as he wears a black beanie, his beard grown out, and her hand on his chest. They’re in Bloomings, North Carolina. I can tell by the background on the phone. That Navy base will always be familiar to me.
Then he pulls out a ring from his pocket, and a beautiful oval-shaped, bright, glimmering diamond shines underneath the white hospital lighting. He holds it in between his fingers like it’s the most delicate thing in the world, and I gasp. My vision blurs with tears.
My mouth falls open, and the tears threaten to fall down my cheeks. God, I hate myself for being a hopeless romantic. Things like engagements and weddings always pull at my heartstrings. I’m not sure if I ever want to be married after Jack, but something tells me that if I meet the right person, maybe I can. Maybe with someone who makes me forget I’m broken.
“She is the one. I knew it the first time I kissed her. When we met, she was a single mom. My girlfriend and her son are everything to me now.” He swipes left, and it’s another picture of the three of them together. Kane carries him in his arms while his girlfriend holds his arm in the middle of a soccer stadium. “Little man is about to be five years old. He says he wants to be a SEAL like me. He’s the cutest thing.”
“That poor boy wants to be a SEAL like you? Does he know you have shitty aim?” Daegan starts to twitch. His deep voice sends a shock into my system, almost paralyzing me with happiness. The muscles on his arms flicker, and a low, dry groan escapes his throat. His dark hair is messy, and the scars on one side of his face move as he frowns.
He’s waking up.
“Oh my God, you’re awake.” I jump out of my seat and hug him. I hold him over numerous wires and his IV. He winces underneath my touch and groans harder.
I wasn’t expecting him to wake up so soon. The nurses warned us he may have needed another blood transfusion, leaving me in a constant state of anxiety and distress. I pull back, apologizing as I take off his restraints. Before I can control my emotions, I kiss his cheek urgently and brush my knuckles over his scars.
He likes it when I do that. I know he does. He loves it when I touch his scars.
“Why the fuck am I wearing this dress?” He opens his eyes for a split second before he slams his vision shut and pulls on his hospital gown like he wants to tear it off.
Kane chuckles in the corner while I hold his hand excitedly.
“Alessia…” he murmurs, swallowing after he says my name in that same tone that drives me crazy and wild. His eyes are still closed as he shifts in the hospital bed.
“Daegan,” tears fall down my cheek, and I try to get a hold of my emotions as I look at him. He finally regains more energy and squints in my direction. He lays his head down on the pillow, and his Adams apple rolls. A smirk crosses his handsome face, and I melt. I’ve missed that sinful grin of his. I missed it waytoo much. I almost lost him because he downplayed his injuries and Rooker’s orders to get looked at.
“Rooker told Kane what happened. I’m still so upset with you for being so stubborn.” I shake my head before I kiss his lips. But this time, Daegan’s tired lips move against mine. I kiss him hard, needing him to know how grateful I am that he’s awake, talking, and, most of all,alive.
“I need to be more stubborn, then.” He tells me as he kisses me deeper, bringing his IV hand to my hair and stroking it like he’s praising me for caring about him. I rub his arm soothingly, touching his muscled, tattooed arm, getting lost in this moment. His beard pricking against my mouth and?—
“Oh, I-I’ll come back later, then.” Guerra’s stunned, shaky voice pops our bubble of reunion, and I cringe internally.
Oh, no.
Shit.
Oh, no.
I got lost in the moment.Kanegot lost in the moment, too, covering his eyes with his hands jokingly, and didn’t warn us either.
