Page 65 of Pretend
So Ari Alvarez had the pleasure of having two handsome SEALS after her?
What a problem to have.
What a shame.
“Yeah, that explains it,” I scoff with a slight smile, placing a hand on my hip as my own lips tilt into a comforting smile.
“I was….very in love with her,madlyin love with Ari. I overstepped and hurt many people in the process. And I did a stupid thing.” His smile fades and is replaced by a somber scoff. He licks his lips and looks away from me like he’s upset with himself. Losing himself in the memories of the fight…or maybe it’s just his journey with Ari. “But I guess love can sometimes do that to someone, right? Love makes you crazy?” He shrugs, putting his hands in his pockets nervously.
I look at Kane, and I mean really look at him, and this man is drop-dead handsome. But in a way that’s warm and radiates cheer. His dark hair matches Daegan’s, but Kane is slightly shorter by an inch or so and leaner in his body frame. He’s still well over six feet. His dark blue eyes are welcoming, in contrast to Daegan’s.
When I look at Daegan, it’s a mystery, and the unknown makes it even more tempting.
“I’m sorry. I wouldn’t know what love is. Lately…I don’t believe it’s meant for me.”
“Well, it exists alright, and it’s real. I have scars on my face to prove it.” He points to a scar on his jaw, probably from when Operator Grim Reaper punched him. “Even though it didn’t work out the way I wanted, it was still a period in time I will always cherish in my life. Even if it ended in my ass getting kicked.” He pauses while his eyes brighten like they’re lost in Ari’s. “Being in love with her was like chasing a sunset. She was always out of reach but still the most beautiful thing to experience.”
He scoffs, smiling. He glances at his feet like I’ve hit a nerve. When his tone changes to sadness and his voice softens, I know Ari is still probably someone he will always care about.
“I’m sorry for bringing it up.” I squeeze his hand in an innocent gesture.
“It’s fine.” He straightens his posture and takes a step back, squeezing my hand once before letting go. His rough, calloused hand slithers out slowly. “I’m talking to someone else right now, and she makes me very happy. She’s made me the happiest I’ve been in a long time, actually.”
“I guess that’s a good thing?” My voice pitches high with hope. “I get it. It sucks to make a mistake, and everyone wants to basically ruin your life for itand make you feel like the biggest piece of shit to walk the Earth, but you’re not a bad person Kane. I don’t know you too well, even though over these next few months, I probably will know you better than my own parents…” My voice crescendos into a murmur, sarcastically referencing his assignment to watch over me. “You’re not a bad person, Slaughter. Don’t let the world make you feel that way. Yes, you fucked up, but don’t stay there.”
He looks at me like I’ve struck numerous nerves inside him.
“I guess it’s a good thing you didn’t stay there and found this new woman in your life, right?”
“It’s a blessing, Valentín. When I talk to her, I forget where I am in the world.”
“Why is that?”
He brushes his beard with his hand, and a smile follows suit.
“She's the type of person that makes a dark day disappear…like it never happened in the first place.”
“Alright, sir, you need to stop with all this cutesy stuff. I think you’re a romantic and you fall fast, like me. We can’t help it.” I wiggle my finger at him teasingly. “But I’m trying not to be like that.”
“Well, good luck with that. I’ll get out of your hair…but one more thing.”
The door swings almost closed, but his head pokes out.
“What?”
He smirks, “I see the way you look at Creature…it’s the way I used to look at Ari.”
My mouth falls open, and I start to stutter. I immediately go into a defensive mode, but no words come out, only indescribable sounds because I’m having difficulty choosing them.
How? Is it that obvious? We’ve been careful. Our stolen glances have to have been just that.
“Kane…”
What can I say?
I can explain?
It isn’t true that I have some type of feelings for my so-called bodyguard?
