Page 67 of Pretend
“We’re going to get some dessert and be right back. Right, Guerra?” Guerra looks at Winters perplexed with food still in her mouth, but then quickly agrees and stands up, nodding. Winters tilts her head at Guerra to follow her to the kitchen, and they both leave Zeke and me alone.
“You didn’t deserve that. He didn’t deserve you in the first place.” Zeke points out, giving me a playful nudge with his knuckles.
“I really don’t want to talk about Jack.” I swallow my food and wipe my mouth with a napkin after.
“Good. Neither do I.” Zeke takes out his wallet, and I watch him pull out a small piece of paper. He gives it to me as my cheeks warm into a mixture of emotions. I open it up and realize it’s his number.
“Zeke…” I hold the paper in my hand, unsure of what to say. I stare at the numbers and then place the note into the pocket of my jeans.
I just got out of a relationship, and I’m not sure of what I want, but I know for a fact that it’s not dwelling in the past and letting my trauma hold me back from being happy. Maybe I need to see what it’s like to date around. I’ve only been with one person, and the thought of being vulnerable again is…nerve-racking but so tempting.
I’m attracted to Zeke;there is something there. But I’m not sure if it’s enough to explore the feeling. When it comes to Zeke, I’m unsure. Meanwhile, there’s no hesitation when it comes to a certain masked, scarred man. When it comes to Daegan, it’s just a straight road I want to drive down with no bumps to make me swerve or change my mind.
Zeke holds my hand over the table, his grey eyes searching for a chance in mine. “Let me take you out. I have some time here before we head out on the next mission. I want to show you the firepit. We can talk and watch a movie. Maybe even?—”
A tall shadow casts over Zeke and me. Zeke pauses mid-sentence and watches whoever interrupted him settle in before us. I follow his gaze and realize it’s Daegan. He’s masked with that same creepy, sharp teeth smile over his mouth.
“So we’re going on a date?” Daegan chirps sarcastically. “Where are you taking us, Zeke?”
Zeke scoffs, pissed off. “What do you mean, ‘us,’ Creature?” He retorts and lets go of my hand, balling his own into fists on his lap.
Daegan hums.
“Well, you know, since watching over Alessia is my assignment, Bane and I have to follow wherever she goes. So, I’m going to ask you again…” he says sinisterly, his humor painting each syllable. His eyes crease like he’s smiling big, and the scars on his one side twitch with excitement like he’s daring him to say the wrong thing. “Where are you taking us?” He repeats his questions and leans his chin on one palm as if intrigued to know the answer. He taps his fingers on his chin like he’s impatient.
“You know I haven’t heard you talk this much. In fact, I’ve never heard you say mucheversince you joined the teams. And yet, Every. Single. Time. I’m near Valentin…you can’t seem to shut up.” Zeke points out something that I haven’t even thought of. He smiles, which provokes Daegan harder.
Is he asking for a Death wish? Because of the way Daegan is looking at Zeke right now…it’s the same way he looked at Frankie right before he stabbed him.
Daegan straightens his back, staring blankly at a taunting Zeke. He widens his planted feet as he twirls the bullet in his finger faster and harder until finally he stops it, palming it on the table with a loud smack.
His grey eyes can freeze the room with how piercingly wrathful they look. In a deep, monstrous tone, Daegan says, “Careful.”
One word. One threat. One sentence is enough to have Zeke cowering in his seat.
24
ALESSIA
The thick tensionmakes me wonder if these two have some past because every single interaction they have when I’m around is volatile. It’s like one wrong move and a punch will be thrown.
“I’m not taking her anywhere if you’ll be there. You know she’ll be fine with me.” Zeke insists, huffing out his chest.
“I don’t know shit. ” Creature argues back.
Why is he acting like this?
I stare at the two men sitting in front of me. Both of them are tensed up, clearly wanting to go at each other’s throats. I look around, with shivers running through my bones, hoping someone will pull me out of this situation. But Kane is deep into his lunch, and Rooker converses deeply with Lopez.
Saved by the bell, my watch pings, signaling that lunchtime is over and it’s time to go back to work.
I scrunch up my napkin and tap my watch as the men have a dick-size contest in front of me.
“Well…I’m going back to work now…” I stand up, grabbing my tray from the table, and Zeke locks in his hateful stare, keeping his narrowed eyes on Creature. Creature stands at the same time as I do, like he’s prepared to walk me back to my job.
A wave of tenderness washes over me as my previous relationship reminds me that I don’t have to feel guilty about moving on. Jack sure as hell didn’t feel guilty about it with Bailey. And if Daegan doesn’t want to explore, I want to give Zeke a chance.
I bend down and enter Zeke’s space, leaning into his ear so Daegan can’t hear.
