Page 93 of I Promise You
I run toward the road in the cold, freezing night. There’s no more light. I reach the road in less than a minute, and I’m crying uncontrollably with each stride of despair.
“Danny!” I stomp my foot on the street and yell as loud as I can as if he could hear me, but he’s already turned a corner to the main road.
He’s gone. He’s really gone.
“Danny...” I murmur through rapid breaths. I can see my breath in the air. My feet burn, and I feel like frostbite threatens my skin. My eyebrows furrow deeply. It makes me feel alone, and the only place that can make it better is going back in time.
I reach for the envelope, tearing the barrier open, and I bite my lip, shaking my head. My fingers tremble, and I do my best to shield it from the rain.
It’s a drawing…
The photo of Paul and me as kids. The same one that I found torn to shreds in Iraq when someone had broken into my room and destroyed my things.
Danny hand-drew the picture, bringing back the memory of my favorite photo in pencil. It’s incredibly detailed.
What have I done?
26
DANNY
The gates open to my property, and I grip the steering wheel tight in my hand to the point my palm gets pinched against the leather, and it twinges from friction.
I didn’t want to leave her, but of course, I had to take a phone call regarding the current mission from the Admiral.
I’ll continue to be the villain in her books if it means she stays protected. I won’t let her in on the gruesome details that have been my life lately. It all began when I started work again after my leave of absence.
It’s like I live two very different lives.
I tried to hide it from Ari. It was for a good reason. She doesn’t need to worry about this, but alas, Kane can’t keep his fucking mouth shut.
He keeps overstepping, and I’ve been a very, very patient man.
Ari has made me a more patient and forgiving man.
But this?
I didn't feel the need to act out and confront him because I knew once I did…it wouldn’t be pretty. We have more serious matters in front of us. But I might have to show him what happens when someone crosses me regarding my girl.
The gates close behind my truck, and I loosen my grip on the wheel.
Ari's words stabbed me deep with no remorse.
A night that should've ended with her bent over, my cock deep inside of her while she screamed my name repeatedly, turned sour.
I wanted to fuck her mouth, cunt, and ass all in one night.
But instead, it ended with us...estranged in separate beds.
I park my truck in the driveway and pull out my cigarettes. The rain stopped pouring, and I could sense the old me poking at me, my favorite pick of poison sitting on my shelves in my kitchen, calling my name.
I step onto my front porch and reach for the pack of cigarettes in my pocket. My thumb brushes against the lighter two times before it lights up, and I inhale the cigarette.
The flavor burns onto my tongue, and I stare at the stars.
She loves me. She said it. She fucking said it.
But instead of pushing her away when she said it like I would have a few months ago, I wanted to carry her into her house and kiss her until her world only revolved around me. Fuck her over and over again in different positions, on her bed, tangled up in bed sheets until the sun came up.
