Page 130 of Pretend
“I got Gabe, and he’s singing like a damn canary.”
Sure enough, I can hear Gabe’s screams of agony in the background as Graves chuckles darkly.
“Keep it down, will you? I’m on the phone with the person you failed to kill.” Graves shouts in the distance. My step-brother and I have the same humor.
A big weight comes off my shoulders. I roll my shoulders and swing my neck side-to-side until the bones pop. Motherfucker will rot in prison now. Still, I’m quiet, and my silence always speaks volumes to my step-brother.
“Do you want a piece of him before I turn him over to the police?”
I hesitate.
The thought of getting a hold of Gabe is thrilling and vengeful, but I don’t want to give any more time to hatred. I’m saving it all. I’m saving all my energy until I see Alessia again.
“No.”
I’m about to hang up, letting it almost fall off my ear, but then he encapsulates my full attention again when he shouts.
“Daegan, don’t hang up…I also found Alessia.”
55
ALESSIA
PRESENT DAY
It’sa beautiful summer night on the beach. My toes are in the sand as mild waves wash up and soak them. My father went to Orlando with his wife and my little sister for her high school graduation. They wanted to celebrate at Universal, and I don’t blame her. Fun rides and snacks always sound like a good time.
They left me alone for the weekend. My leave of absence is coming to an end and I appreciate they’re letting me spend the last few days of it alone. I haven’t been alone since I was attacked. Everyone in my family is scared for my life. They’re scared Gabe will show up and finish the job…I dare him to. I’ve been sleeping with weapons to defend myself, and I won’t hesitate to protect myself or my family.
It’s dark out. The ocean waves are mostly black with a breeze that hits me over again smoothly. Feeling euphoric on my lotioned skin, and I can taste the salt on the tip of my tongue.
I wish I could stay here forever. There’s just something about a beach and its environment that makes me forget about everything. I have to go back to work soon, and taking this time away from Bloomings has been refreshing. It’s been giving me time to think and process everything that happened without having to worry about people trying to kidnap or kill me. To get away from a place where it was easier for those evil people to find me.
I’m in a summer dress, tempted to go for a midnight swim. The current is perfect tonight. Everything about this summer has been perfect except for the lingering hole in my heart. It’s stayed a gaping mess, and I don’t think it’ll ever close…but maybe with more time, it will.
I’ve talked to Ravenmore multiple times. We’re in talks to have me move duty stations to Italy. I’ve always wanted to go. I think it’ll be easier for everyone and my safety to be away from Bloomings for a few years.
My phone rings as I sit on the sand. I pull it out and see that it’s my mother. She never calls me this late. It must be something important.
“Mija, we got them. The entire human trafficking problem here in Bloomings is solved. Gabe is arrested, and all of the leaders, along with other service members who were a part of this. You don’t have to worry anymore.”
“Oh my gosh, ma, that’s great.”
“Gracias a Dios.”
“How’s…?” I want to say Daegan, but I trail off and bite my tongue instead. “How’s Henry?”
“He’s great. Things are really intense right now overseas. SEAL Team executioners are leaving right now to go on this really dangerous mission…you didn’t hear it from me.”
We say goodbye, and I hang up, leaving my phone on a towel on the beach.
The water looks so peaceful, and I’m jealous of the ocean. I want to sink into it until I become one with it. Maybe it’ll help me.
I start walking towards it until the water is up to my waist.
I wanted to go deeper when something from my left moves, and it looks like a human silhouette. Immediately, I think it’s a neighbor. But that dragon tattoo. Those dark waves. Those bright grey eyes that look like they’re glowing as the moon kisses them, making them glimmer and my heart doing a crazy dance.
How did he find me?
