Page 108 of Mariposa
My breath hitches.
Violet told her about us?
She scoffs.
“Yeah, I know all about it because she feels sorry for you. Poor single dad, Kade. End it with her before you burn yourself to the ground.”
I stiffen, crossing my arms against my chest in disbelief.
“Or I’m going to report this to your chain of command…to the General. Break it off with her, or I’ll make sure you both suffer consequences.”
The door clicks behind her, as I breathe harshly and play with my skull ring anxiously.
The weight of her words sinks whatever hope I had of Violet and me together. The last thing I want is for our dirty little secret to be aired out, and we both face the consequences when she has so much more potential and talent to offer the army. If my son finds out, our troubled relationship will be done for.
Is Violet really using me?
It doesn’t matter. None of it fucking matters. I broke the rules. Tainted her career before it could start because I decided to be selfish.
We’re done.
When Karen leaves, I go outside for a smoke. As I take drag after drag, I lose myself further in my thoughts.
I have to let her go.
We’ve both worked way too hard. I don’t need her to get kicked out or punished because we became reckless.
I know what I have to do to make everyone happy. It’s time to man the fuck up and stop being a greedy bastard. She deserves more out of life, and I won’t be able to give that to her.
42
VIOLET
We found The Surgeon. Everyone is ready for the mission, geared up and waiting for the Chinook to arrive. Adrenaline fuels my veins, and I’m determined not to feel the fear that wants to creep its way inside. Instead, I’ll use it as motivation to fight back harder, just as Kade taught me.
I’m sitting next to Slater when Booker lays out the plan again.
Kade wasn’t there this morning and isn’t here right now, either. Where is he? He left last night, which wasn’t unusual, but he missed work, which is extremely out of his norm. I’m worried about him.
Me:
Where are you?
I wait, but as minutes pass by, there’s no response.
Suddenly, the sound of blades whipping in the air forces me to shut my phone and throw it in my locker.
“Bird’s here. Let’s go. Everybody move,” Booker shouts, pointing to the door. As soon as I walk out the door, I see a familiar, massive figure. Kade is smoking and watching the Chinook land.
He’s been outside this entire time.
He takes one last drag of his cigarette before he throws it on the ground. His boot drags against it twice before he places his balaclava mask on.
Everyone runs past him as he plays with his knife momentarily before tucking it back into his kit.
I walk to stand next to him, placing my own mask on.
“Kade?”
