Page 50 of Mariposa
“I’m sorry, Kade. I didn’t mean to bring it up.”
How can she think that bringing up a mission where one of my soldiers got killed would be a good topic of conversation?
“It’s fine. I’m fine.” My words aren’t convincing her. Hell, they’re not convincing me either, but I don’t open up about this shit to anyone. And Karen doesn’t know how to keep anything to herself. I don’t trust her. I don’t trust anyone.
“Let’s go back to my place and not talk if that’s what you want,” she insists eagerly.
I tuck one of her blond curls behind her ears, and she holds her breath as a hot pink shade paints her cheeks. When I run the pad of my finger across the shell of her ear, she lets out a soft, short mewl. My jaw tightens as I look at her for the last time tonight.
“Whatever this is between us…it’s done.” I withdraw my hand from her face, turn, and walk away.
19
VIOLET
What is wrong with Master Sergeant? So what if I want to get drunk and dance the night away? He is not in charge of me anymore. I can do whatever I want. I’m single, and he made it clear that whatever happened in the showers ended there.
Is he jealous?
The woman beside me stands still, swiping her lipstick over her plump lips. Keeping my eyes forward, I scrub my hands faster with soap as her stare makes me more uncomfortable. She whips around the sink and clicks her tongue. She slides her hip closer to mine, sliding it against the white counter. Closing her lipstick, the sound of her clearing her throat grabs my attention.
“Kade O’Connell was my instructor; he failed me. I made it through the course on my second try with a different set of instructors.”
I glance over to her and quirk a hesitant brow.
“You’re special forces, too?” I ask, turning the knob.
“Yup,” she pops the p. “Kade.” She breathes his name slowly. “Single dad. Divorced. Walls up higher than the sky.Hot.” She sighs and fidgets on her heels. She looks up at the ceiling, herpale cheeks flush a deep red. “Grumpy as fuck too. I tried to shoot my shot with him three years ago, but the man doesn’t date. Only work, work, work.”
Blinking fast, I dry my hands with the brown napkins tucked into a metal dispenser against the wall as muffled “Mariposa Traicionera” by Mana vibrates against the grey stone walls. Shaking my head as I throw the napkins into the trash, I cross my arms against my chest.
“Oh, uh, I don’t talk to or know him like that,” I reply, trying to hide the confusing feelings in my shaky tone.
“Girl, please. Secrets are safe with me. You don’t have to hide that you think he’s handsome.” She stands straight, unzipping her small Gucci purse, and throws her lipstick in. “I saw you guys arguing in the hallway. Don’t worry, I didn’t hear anything, but I wish I had.”
Apparently, I’ve lost the ability to talk because my mouth moves, but no words come out.
“I’m Anna Castle.” She reaches for my hand with hers.
She seems harmless. Blunt for sure, but she carries a friendly aura around her tall and strong frame. Grabbing her hand, I shake it up and down gently.
“Violet Isla.”
After usingthe restroom and fixing my dress, I wanted to find Kade and argue with him some more for trying to tell me how to spend my free time and punching a guy for looking at me.
“Fine. I don’t like this. I don’t like it all.”
His words echo into my psyche the entire time I search in every corner of the bar, and every second I can’t find him only fuels the way he gets under my skin more. Eventually, I gave upwhen Booker escorted me back to the bartender and ordered me water for the rest of the night.
He went on to explain why he joined Special Forces and asked me for my reason, but I didn’t feel like opening up about my father’s death. I appreciated that he picked up on those emotions and instead kept the conversation on him. He said he wanted to serve his country and joined alongside Kade when he was fresh out of high school.
The entire time Booker opens up to me, I keep looking over his shoulder, hoping to find Kade, but he’s nowhere. Did he leave with that beautiful woman? The thought alone pierces me in places I don’t like.
“Hey, where did Master Sergeant go? He’s missing the game.”
I try to act like I don’t care, and I hope it’s convincing.
Why do I care? Why do I want to know what Kade is like outside of the uniform? He’s not my boyfriend’s dad, nor my instructor anymore. Tonight will be the last time we’re together, and I should be celebrating, but I’m not. I’m getting away from the biggest asshole I hate—the one who made my life hell for twelve long torturous months, and he still thinks he can order me around. I should be happy he’s going back to his team.
