Page 30 of Pretend
“Yes to what?” Zeke never gives up on asking me out.
“To a date with me? Maybe the military ball that’s coming up after the deployment?”
I dislike going to military balls. Something wild always happens. Men act like they’re in college again or like it’s their first time at a college party, getting wasted and fighting. I try not to attend when I don’t have to.
“Zeke. Really? You know I’m with Jack.Andyou know I don’t like going to those.” I tell him, drinking my water.
“I’ve been trying to go on a date with Alessia since she first came in for her 21st birthday. Get in line, buddy.” Gabe says over his shoulder as he walks by, serving another customer a beer.
Daegan slides in next to Zeke, not bothering to introduce himself, and my heart quickens.
“Ahh, Creature, what can I do for you, buddy?”
“I’m just wondering why you’re talking to the Admiral’s daughter when she clearly has told you no.” He takes a sip of his bourbon; his eyes scream a murderous gaze. The way he stares at Zeke is sharper than a knife.
“Step-daughter.” I correct him. “Mr. Hannibal, it’s okay. Zeke and I have been friends for a while.”
Why do I feel like these two know each other? I don’t remember Zeke being a part of the executioners. How would they know each other?
“Friends for now,” Zeke winks at me, and I throw a forceful, uncomfortable smile. He was in a friends-with-benefits thing with a girl named Violet, and that still hasn’t changed how he feels about me.
I tighten my grip on the counter, cringing at his flirty attempts and attitude.
My eyes fall on Daegan, and he’s tense like a rock.
“It looks like Alessia here is just too nice and letting you down easy. If any of us would take her to the military ball, it would be with me. Wouldn’t it?” Daegan teases.
My jaw drops open, and my immediate reaction is to protest. Tell him he’s insane; deny it. My tongue goes to a standstill, and a smirk unfolds on him. This is my way out. He knows it. We both know it.
So I fall silent.
“Does the Admiral know about this?” Zeke’s tone changes to jealousy.
“Of course he does. He was the one who assigned Alessia to me. He trusts me. I’m her personal security, remember? I don’t know if he can say the same about you.”
“But not as her date, Hannibal.” Zeke snarls, “Mind your business.”
Daegan grins with humor like he’s enjoying purposefully getting under Zeke’s skin, refusing to back down.
They’re both glaring, none of them wanting to wean. Finally, Zeke looks at me, his brown eyes pleading with me to say Daegan is wrong. When he digests my silence, he realizes I’m not going to. Zeke clenches his jaw, and an awkward silence fills the tension. He takes his beer, watching Daegan.
Frankie decides this is the perfect moment to butt in. He gets in the middle of the men, palming the bar counter for support.
“Creature, there are rumors.”
Daegan folds his arms across his chest. “Ah, what kind of rumors?”
The entire section of where we are standing changes. The air thickens with red and rage, and I can feel a bar fight coming along. Then, as if on cue, Kane Slaughter enters the chat, standing behind Daegan with a pointed chin on his right and my left.
“That you’re blind as fuck.”
He did not just fucking go there. That’s a low blow. I’ve heard the rumors that Daegan lost his vision in one eye while he was captured.
If it’s true, how he’s still a sniper is beyond me.
Kane’s eyes widen with disgust and so do mine. I’m about to shout at Frankie to get the hell away from us, but Daegan doesn’t get angry. Doesn’t get defensive.Instead, he lets his head fall down, his chin almost touching his chest as he chuckles deep and slow.
Zeke pats Frankie’s shoulder like he’s trying to de-escalate his demeanor.
