Page 122 of Pretend
“Gabe was the one that shot him. He hacked into his security system and tried to kidnap me and kill him in the process.”
“Piece of shit! I know he’s still out there, but I’m sure we’ll get him. Don’t worry, Alessia.”
“Excuse me.” Someone clears their throat. An older feminine voice interrupts our embrace, and Kane and I separate slowly. “Hi, we’ve never met before, but I guess I should introduce myself.” We both turn to the door, and a tall woman with black high heels, bright red lipstick, and bright green eyes walks in like she’s on a mission.
I wipe away my tears, and Kane gives me space, letting my arms fall. The woman walks in front of us and stops by the vitals monitor.
She puts her perfectly manicured hand before me for me to shake. I take it and furrow my brows, puzzled by the awkward intrusion. How does she know me?
“I’m Stella Hannibal. And you’re Alessia, right? My husband’s girlfriend?”
49
ALESSIA
My heart drops.Embarrassment fuels my veins, and my cheeks redden with uncomfortable heat.
“I’m going to be in the lobby. Text me if you need anything.” Kane brushes his beard and walks out. He closes the sliding door behind him, and I open my mouth to try and stop him.
“Don’t leave me in here with her!” I scold him as I mouth the words, keeping my voice silent and tucked into my constricting lungs.
“I’m sorry!” He mouths back to me, whips his head forward with a shrug, and I flare my nostrils, placing my hands on my hips.
Oh, we’re going to talk.
Again, he walks away when I need him. The first time was when Daegan threw me over his shoulders. The betrayal times two!
“Listen, I’m going to make this quick.” I pivot on my foot slowly, rubbing my biceps cautiously.
She points to the chair, like she’s demanding me to listen to her. I can’t say I don’t feel bad because I do. Technically, they’re married, but if what Daegan said was true, they’re separated and are allowed to date until their final court date. He isn’t cheating. He never cheated.
“Listen, I didn’t know he was married.”
“Spare me the details, honey. I really don’t care. I cheated on him and left him for one of my co-workers. We’re going to our final court divorce hearing in just two weeks to finalize it. I’ve been with the other man this entire time, and he doesn’t care. Daegan moved on. I’m glad he did when I couldn’t help him how he needed to be helped, and for that, I take full responsibility.”
Oh, thank God. She’s not here to fight me.
“I—uh. Okay…”
“I didn’t know how to deal with the constant missions and the constant deployments. I was lonely, and honestly, I was not a very good wife to him. We were together for only a few months, and then we got married. I’m not justifying my decisions to betray him or calling him horrible things in the past when I saw him after he was tortured.”
So, Daegan was telling the truth.
“Why are you here?” I ask, biting my lips.
“I just wanted to ask you something.” She says, her chin pointing out and her long lashes fluttering confidently.
She bites her lips, crossing her arms across her chest. She’s in an all-white jumpsuit with jewelry all across her neck—expensive jewelry and perfume that can be smelled from two rooms down.
I shake my head politely. “Whatever it is, I don’t feel comfortable talking to you about Daegan. Especially since he’s not awake and?—
“I want to ask you to leave him.”
My heart drops.
“What?” I breathe.
“I regret leaving him. He might die, and it’s making me realize that maybe I can put up with this military lifestyle…or maybe I can convince him to leave the teams and be a civilian. My ex-boyfriend left me. I’m single again. Our court date is coming up, and for the first time since we left each other…I want to contest it.”
