Page 64 of Pretend
“God, I hate planes.”
A woman to my right says. Her brown hair is slicked back perfectly. She has brown eyes and fair skin. We’re both in uniform. She has a friendly smile with tired eyes.
I scoff with a warm smile. “Me too.”
“What’s your name and rate?” She asks.
“Alessia Valentin. Intelligence.” I tell her proudly and confidently, just as the person in front of me exits the restroom, and it’s my turn to use it.
“Ah, Ravenmore’s daughter.” She tells me, giggling at her feet.
I make room for the man who just used the restroom to return to his seat in the tight-space walkway of the plane. I hold the restroom door open and reach for her hand to shake with a smile on my face.
“What’s your name? You look familiar.” I tell her, trying to remember where I’ve seen her before. Was it at El Devine? Boot camp?
She takes my hand and shakes it with an edge. She meets my eyes directly with a smile of cruel intentions.
“Oh, I’m Mary Solis. The woman who didn’t make Intel because my daddy isn’t someone important like Admiral Ravenmore and ex-intel mommy.” She lets go of my hand and smiles harder, and mine falls.
Is she really doing this? Right now?
I had a feeling people were saying this behind my back, but I just never thought someone would say it to my face.
Props to her, I guess.
“I didn’t get to where I am because of them.”
“Keep telling yourself that.” She looks at her phone, peeling away from me unbothered. I stand there, still appalled.
I feel defeated. It doesn’t matter what I say. The PSD that Operator Bane and Creature were placed on doesn’t help my argument.
I close the door.
As soon as we landed,he helped gather our luggage, and we arrived in Iraq late at night. The first thing on my to-do list was to visit my stepfather. He informed me that Kane, Operator Bane, and Daegan would rotate shifts at night. It was a short meeting, which we kept professional, and short given the time of night. They escorted me everywhere.
I have my own private room with a lounge area. My room is small, with one bed, a desk, a nightstand, and a bathroom. It reminds me of my college days. I was so young when I joined. It feels like ages ago.
Rooker will be in charge of their schedule to watch over me for the most part. He appointed Slaughter to take the first night, which sent a wave of sadness to pulse through me.
It’s for the best.
The temptation is too potent and frightening. The more I’m surrounded by him, the more I want to give into our chemistry.
“Lights out, Valentín.” Kane opens the door to my bedroom, and I walk in, clutchingmy bag.
I twirl around on my heel to tell him goodbye. He stands there in the dark, the only light from my lamp. He’s in his uniform, his hand on the doorknob, waiting for me to say something.
I want to break the ice with Kane since he will also be on my ass along with Daegan, making a note of my every movement to keep me safe. My intrusive thoughts take over, and my mouth opens before I can stop it.
“What did you do to get your ass kicked at the military ball the other year?” My blunt question catches him off guard, but he doesn’t miss the endearment entwined in my tone. I cross my arms as he lets his head fall, and he chuckles deeply, clearly unoffended by my inability to prevent my outburst.
Kane is…beautiful.
What a man.
He runs a hand through his dark waves and smiles like he’s proud of himself.
“I crossed a line and kissed Grim’s girl.”
