Page 73 of I Promise You
“Your son is more than just a special operator, Mr. Rider. He’s giving. He’s strong. He loves to paint, build things, and help others. He’s the strongest man I’ve ever known. He’s intelligent, and he knows how to take care of me. He would’ve made an amazing father.”
“That’s very kind of you…maybe even a little naïve. Still, Ms. Alvarez.” His eyes pierce through my own like an arrow. “You don’t belong in this world. This military world has already eaten you up, chewed you, and spat you out, leaving practically nothing behind.”
So, he does keep tabs on his son.
“Your brother. A fallen sailor, right? A fallen brother?”
I open my mouth, but he doesn’t let me finish. His treacherous words keep going.
“Navy SEAL…what was his name?” Damian taps his jaw sarcastically. “Paul Alvarez. What a shame, my condolences.”
Now my blood is boiling. No wonder Danny doesn’t speak to this man.
“Don’t talk about him,” I say, with hatred pouring out of me like acid.
“I’m just saying. After all that you’ve been through, I understand you, Ari. I fully understand why you second-guess your ability to be with someone in the military. It’s not for everyone, and it certainly isn’t for you.”
Did he overhear my conversation with Lori? Has he been stalking Danny and me like a creep?
“I suggest you stop talking to her before you lose the ability to do so.” My eyes pop open when I realize who it is. “Tread your next words carefully when you speak to the mother of my child.” Danny’s tone deepens harshly behind me. I turnaround, pivoting my feet in the middle of the hostile relationship between the two.
He’s back.
The built-up anger I have slowly subsides briefly when I see him standing by the door. He’s in his uniform still, a dark brown shirt with camo pants and his favorite knife on his waist.
It feels like a fireball of utter affection is bludgeoning me when I hear his protective, familiar contention.
I face Danny, whose stature is anything but kind or welcoming toward his father.
Damian’s eyes soften for half a second but then light back up like a flame, burning holes into his son.
They both look so much and act alike when angry.
“Hello, son.” Damian’s tone shifts to a defensive, authoritative, as if to assert himself over Danny.
Before I can get to breathe in some vengeance, he continues while Danny burns holes through him.
“Haven’t seen you in a while. I was just—"
“You were just leaving.” Danny stalks two steps forward, each step sending a threatening message.
“Come on, don’t get offended, son. I just wanted to meet Ms. Alvarez. Make sure she got a proper welcome into the Rider family."
“Her name is Ari Natalia. If you disrespect heragain, it’ll be the last time you ever utter the wordfamily. It’s the one thing you were not successful at keeping,Damian.Or do you need me to remind you of your failures?” He takes another threatening step forward. His gaze sharpened with edge. I think he’s referencing the affair he had.
My lips flatten with anticipation. The madness between them is waiting to unfold with one wrong word or sudden movement.
This isn’t happening. Sweat begins to coat my skin as Danny’s hands ball into tight fists. I haven’t seen Danny thisangry since that one night he revealed Paul’s death. I’m afraid of what he’ll do.
“She doesn’t need anything from you. You’ve never cared about my personal life, and she ismy life now.”
Damian glares at me before turning back to Danny with a forced smile.
“You’ve changed.”
“Leave, Damian. OrI’ll be the one making calls to have you barred from this hospital.”
Each word pummels Damian’s ego and I find it hard to relax my shoulders from the pure tension.
