Page 107 of Mariposa
“Like she’s in love with you!” Her eyes fill with tears as her voice cracks. “I know that look because it’s how I look at you!”
A tear rolls down her cheek. Karen and I were never exclusive. However, our friendship started around five years ago, and over time, we spent some nights having fun together. I’ve never given her reason to believe I’d tie myself to her or anyone. I’ve always been very clear about what I want and don’t want. Still, I can’t help but feel bad.
“I think you’re reading way too much into this. I like Violet. She’s my soldier, and I’m her boss.”
“And she’s your son’s ex! I can’t believe you would actually go there with her. She doesn’t get you like I do, Kade. I’ve been patient, waiting for you to realize I can give you what you need.”
Violet’s what I need.
“Karen,” I snap, baring my teeth. “What I need right now is for you to get the fuck out of my room.” I point to the door.
“You’re the best soldier the military has ever seen. Right up there with Danny Rider, yet you’ll taint your polished career and reputation over her? A nobody?” Her pitch heightens as she continues to hound me, snapping me out of a world where I think it’s okay to be happy. To go after what has made me feel alive for the first in my fucking life.
Violet is not a nobody.
She’s everything.
“Don’t fucking talk about her like that,” I warn with a deadly calm tone.
The cruel reality sets in again, making my head spin. She can never be mine. Shaking my head, I grab the project and lazily set it inside my drawer. Fuming, I slam it shut, never wanting to see it again. How could I let myself get wrapped in her tempting wings?
I’ve always been careful. And yet, here I am, breaking the rules over someone I can never have.
“Answer my damn question, Master Sergeant!” she spews my rank mockingly.
“Karen. I’m not tainting my career for no one!” I snarl. My growl causes Karen to bow her head sarcastically as she brushes another tear away with her knuckle.
“We were never a couple, Karen. I set my boundaries with you since the moment our friendship took a turn. We had our fun, but that part of our relationship ended months ago, and it has nothing to do with anyone but everything to do with me!”
Her nostrils flare as her body trembles. The more I deny her, the angrier she gets. She strides, closing the distance, and slaps me across the face, hard. My head whips to the side—a burning sensation lingers on my skin. I chuckle darkly and take a step back.
I don’t react. I’m not even mad she did that.
“All these years, I’ve never seen you truly smile.” She shifts on her feet and tries to thread her fingers with my stoic ones. “I want you to be happy, Kade. I just wish it was with me…”
Tearing my hand away from hers, I saunter over to my nightstand and grab my pack of cigarettes.
She slapped me, and yet she thinks that’ll get me to submit to her? Does she believe I’ll let her keep trying to get in my head and carry on any conversation with her? No.
What kind of game is she playing?
I’m done.
“Get out,” I mumble over my shoulder as I slip on my shoes.
I don’t want to hear it, even though I know she knows about Violet and me. Still, I’ll never admit it to her.
“Operator Beast has finally fallen in love. Everyone who truly knows you can see it,” she says, shaking her head disappointedly.
She laughs at me, but it’s with anything but humor—it’s pity. Nodding sarcastically, she takes this as a lost cause and walks past me. I keep my gaze on my desk, where the project I’ve been working on hides. I’ll never get to show it to her.
Before she exits my room, Karen clears her throat.
“Violet told me about you two being together secretly, by the way. She told me her plan to advance her career by being with you. She wants to learn from her teacher…by attaching herself to you like a leech! She doesn’t love you.”
My fingers twitch while she spews venomous words at me. I don’t believe that…
“She told me about the showers!”
