Page 33 of Pretend
“Bro, shut the fuck up!” Zeke scolds him, flicking the back of Frankie’s head. “Get out of here!”
Zeke rushes him out of the bar and closes the door on him.
All the while, Daegan chuckles.
“And with that,” Gabe throws a white towel over his shoulder. “I’m closing the bar early. Everyone, go home!” He motions everyone out. His two fingers pinch his lips, and a loud whistle pitches into the air. He points to the door, and everyone groans but descends towards the exit anyway. Body after body disappears out the door as Gabe holds it open.
The music is cut off, and all of El Devine’s lights turn back on.
Daegan pulls out his cigarettes and sits back down in front of me.
“You are insane. He’s going to call the police.” I choke out with a shaky tone. “Aren’t you worried about your career?”
“No, he won’t, Alessia.” Kane chimes in, almost condescendingly, like I have much to learn about how their minds work. He pats Daegan’s shoulder and leaves.
Mr. Slaughter and Mr. Cowboy Lopez have always been handsome to me. Everyone on SEAL Team executioners is tall, handsome, and just built with a mass of muscles. But Daegan…something about Mr. Hannibal has me feeling some type of way.
Just this magnetic force I can’t untie myself from.
“Pinche loco,” Lopez pats the masked man’s shoulder too. He tilts his cowboy hat at me and follows Kane. “Adios, senorita.” He tilts his hat at Winters.
I turn to her, shaking my head in disapproval. “Incredible.” I scold her, and she blushes.
“What? Don’t judge me! I’m going to the ladies’ room before we go,” she tells me quickly. Then she turns on her heels and leaves Daegan and me alone.
“You didn’t have to do that, Mr. Hannibal. I’m not a damsel in distress. I can fight my own battles.” I cross my arms over my chest.
He lights his cigarette, not bothering to look at me. I continue when I realize he isn’t going to say anything.
“I’m not going to the ball with anyone. One, I have a boyfriend. And two, I’m pretty sure Ravenmore will have a fit if I ever date one of the special operators he’s in charge of. He would kill you or fire you if I went with you. I wouldn’t doubt it if he were to write you up and get you kicked out of the Navy. Plus, risking my own car?—”
He doesn’t let me finish my ramble.
“You’re breaking my heart, Valentine.” He inhales, bright sparks at the end reflecting red. I don’t bother telling him to smoke outside. I’m pretty sure Gabe would let any of the executioners smoke inside.
“You think I care what anyone thinks?” He asks me confidently.
That’s a good point. He doesn’t seem like the type to give a crap about anyone’s thoughts or feelings.
I roll my eyes and check my watch. I’m getting home earlier than expected.
Daegan stood up for me. All be it, he really went overboard, but…he didn’t have to. He did something that Jack could never do for me in our entire relationship. And then those dang butterflies swarm again. I do my best to make the heat die down, but this mysterious man makes it hard.
Is this what lust feels like?
“Alessia.” Daegan’s voice pulls my attention away from my watch.
“Mr. Hannibal,” I turn around, exhaling.
He flexes his jaw, grabbing a napkin and wiping off the blood from Frankie’s stab wound.
“Sorry about the mess, sweetheart.” He wipes it twice with the napkin until there’s no more blood, cleaning the mess. “I’m going to head out too. Slaughter’s my ride.” He stands and heads towards a trash can, keeping his cigarette between his teeth the entire time.
I take that as his farewell and decide to meet Winters at her car.
Gabe heads into the kitchen, probably to let everyone know that he decided to close early tonight.
This is one hell of a weird night.
