Page 63 of Pretend
“Esta abierta!” She calls back to me.
I walk in but don’t see her on her gray couch by her floral frames, which are hung on every wall in her living room. The TV is off, and she’s not watching her usual medical drama TV shows or novellas, with a glass of wine to destress from work.
I pass by the kitchen to see it spotless and clean, but there’s no food roaming around.
“Ma, donde estas?Ya me voy!” I look for her down the halls, practically jogging through the halls. I pass by photo frames of me and her growing up—one with us together at a Halloween party as a single mom. At least, she pretendedto be a single mom. I didn’t meet Ravenmore until after a few years. She wanted to make sure they were solid before she introduced us.
The photo stops me for a split second as I stare at myself as a child. I was dressed as Sally from the Nightmare Before Christmas. I scoff with a minimal laugh. A swift, warm emotion pulls at my heartstrings. I don’t remember that day at all, but I’m grateful for photos like these.
“I’m in my office.” My mother’s muffled voice peaks through the corner, and I follow.
“What’re you doing here? It’s late.” I sit down on a chair, letting my butt fall into the soft cushion. I purse my lips with curiosity when I notice my mother is still in her work detective attire.
She was an ex-Navy sailor who inspired me to join and follow in her footsteps. After she was honorably discharged after serving eight years, she used her experience to go back to college to further her education and became a detective. She loves her job and has always been an extreme workaholic.
She holds a glass of wine in her hands, twirling the dark red liquid.
“I’m stressed out about work. There have been human and drug traffickers growing here in town, and it’s an operation bigger than I thought it would be. The more I try to break it, the more we piss them off, and it’s becoming dangerous. One of the leader’s nicknames is ‘Smiley,’ he’s number one on our list, and we’re going above and beyond to catch him. If we catch him, the entire operation will unfold. I’m trying to get to the hornet’s nest. It’s been hard, to say the least. It’s been shocking to learn that there are service members working with them…it’s all so exhausting.”
She rubs her brows with her fingers, her hazel eyes hidden beneath her tightly shut lids. She pulls back her blonde hair behind her ear and opens her eyes.
“I’m sorry, Mom. I hope everything turns out okay. Please stay safe.” I look at my watch, and I’m shy of five minutes late. “I just wanted to say goodbye. Your husband has one of his team members on personal security detail to watch over me, by the way. It’s so unnecessary.” I roll my eyes as I sigh.
She forces a smile on her glossy lips, “I should be telling you to stay safe. You’re going on your first deployment as military intelligence to work closely with Navy SEALS and other special operators. That’s amazing, and I’m so proud of you.” Her tired voice softens, and her eyes glimmer with pride. She palms her red wooden desk, and I nod in acknowledgment. “Make me proud!”
She stands up from her chair and walks over to me. Her arms are spread out, ready to hug me. “Go easy on my husband. I requested it.” She embraces me, and I immediately smell her signature Chanel perfume as we hold each other for a short moment before I pull away in shock.
“Mom,” I complain as I retreat from my hug.
How could she do that?
“What?”
“Why? I don’t want it to be seen as me having special treatment.”
“Because I have a bad feeling that one of these bad guys will be over there. I’m unsure if it’s just one bad guy or an entire group. And do I have to remind you of that list? You’re a target, and?—”
Shit, she does have a point. I let go of her and turn toward the door in a rush as she explains herself. I promised Daegan I would make this goodbye quick. I don’t like being late…I don’t know any service member that likes to be late.
“Someone shot at my window the other night,” I blurt out as I grip the doorknob, ready to escape before she bombards me with a trillion questions.
“What?” She reaches for me, but I’m already out the door and down the hall.
“Alessia Sahara Valentin.” She scolds me as I walk into the living room.
“It’s okay. I have a bodyguard now, remember?” I tell her sarcastically, almost like an insult, and she seethes, resenting my remark. She folds her arms across her black cardigan with pinched brows. She shakes her head.
“Why didn’t you report it?”
“Of course, I reported it.” I raise my voice in defiance, but then I calm myself down. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude, but I’ve gotta go…” I tell her slowly, reaching for her arms and kissing her cheek goodbye. “Okay? I love you too.”
“Te quiero mucho, que Dios te bendiga, hija. Make me proud.”
The plane rideto Iraq was long, too long. But every now and then, Daegan and I would sneak glances. Each time, we locked eyes for a split second, and it would send that same electrifying blip in my heart, and butterflies would swarm.
We sat next to each other, but he kept his distance. The space between us is thick with tension, but I kept busy with a thriller novel. SEAL Team Executioners were sitting just across from us. Kane sat next to Daegan and the rest of the team in front of us. Operator Grim Reaper stayed home with his wife and newborn twins, just like Ravenmore said he would.
I had to use the restroom during the first flight over the Atlantic. There was a long line, but thankfully, I could hold my pee. I lean against the wall, crossing my arms as I wait.
