Page 135 of Pretend
“All the guys are going. It’s going to be rough. It’s going to be dangerous. It’s going to be one hell of a deployment.”
“They’re all dangerous and bad.” I point out from behind him while crossing my arms around my chest.
“I guess you have a point.” He turns around and gives me a pained smile. A flash of his sharp canines briefly makes a presence, and he puts out the cigarette and watches me.
“I can’t believe this all began when I asked you to pretend with me.”
He pulls me by hand, and I stumble forward until I hit his chest.
“Where’s your father?”
He tucks a piece of my hair back behind my ear.
I furrow my brows with curiosity. He’s never met my biological father before.
“Why?”
He smiles, and his beautiful grey eyes are glazing with bliss.
“Because I want to ask for his blessing to marry my little valentine.”
58
ALESSIA
Daegan holds me tight.He has his mask on. It’s that same creepy sharp teeth signature smile on his mouth. He kisses the top of my head repeatedly before he pulls his mask up just above his mouth to plant one more see you soon kiss.
“I love you, Mrs. Hannibal.”
“We’re not married yet, Daegan.” I scrunch my nose in defiance as I tip-toe to kiss his cheek. He grabs his bag full of equipment and throws it over his shoulders.
That thing has to weigh about a hundred or more pounds.
“You already areMrs. Hannibal to me. I don’t need a piece of paper to tell me that. Plus, I’m sure there’s already a little Hannibal cooking in there.” He points to my belly.
“Doubtful. Don’t get ahead of yourself.” I scold him.
I stopped taking my birth control when I first got home after my deployment. He may be right, but that would be fast, and I doubt a baby is growing. I’ve gotten two periods after I was attacked by Gabe. I expect my next one in the next twenty days or so.
I playfully nudge his chest away, but his combat boots are cemented to the floor. An airforce plane roars behind him, ready to take them where they’re needed. Grim and Rooker pass by with their black masks, and Lopez and Kane fall behind me and Daegan.
“I love you, Daegan. Please be careful.”
“Always am. I love you too.”
“Creature! Let’s go!” Grim shouts. I peek over my fiance’s shoulder and see the most accomplished Navy SEAL. A huge scythe where his mouth is, but those blue eyes glow against his mask.
“When I come back, we’re getting married, and you’re going to meet my mother, Margaret.” He tells me as he tucks hair behind my ear.
I suck in a breath as my heart flutters with heat.
Daegan turns to leave. He twirls his bullet as he stalks toward the plane, and I watch his favorite knife move against his belt as he closes the distance to the plane.
Kane walks by, and our eyes lock together for a second. His black mask is in his hand, clutching it tight. I stop him, grab his shoulder, and pull him in for a hug.
I care so much about Kane, and I know he feels the same way. It’s a mutual relationship of friendship. His kindness and understanding will always be unmatched. He’s become my closest friend.
“He won’t tell me where you guys are going.”
