7. alessia

7

ALESSIA

The closer I get to those black entrance doors of El Devine, my boots hit the pavement with anticipation. I can almost hear the glass windows vibrate from the music and drunken chatter. It is a Saturday night after all.

As soon as I swing the door open to El Devine, I'm met with the usual bright neon cattle skull in the center of the bar. The TV in the corner shows a sports game, and country music is playing loud as cowboy hats and boots galore fill the small yet wide space.

One last night of fun with my friends before I'm on my way overseas.

I filled in Ella Winters on my stepfather, who ordered two SEALS on a "personal security detail" for me. She knows we need drinks.

I look around to spot Jack since he left the house before me. He told me he would meet me here because he was meeting his friends. He was too impatient to wait for me.

I walk forward, and a loud uproar of cheers and sounds is coming from the bar area. With Winters at my side, I can hear the scoff she spills as her pink lips form a smile. I follow her gaze, and my mouth drops open in disbelief as I soak in what's in front of me.

Slaughter and Hannibal have their shirts off.

Operator Bane and Operator Creature have their shirts off.

Daegan has a massive dragon tattoo that covers his entire back. Its wings spread out, and its mouth is open like it's about to breathe fire with about a hundred pointed sharp teeth. A pile of skulls on his lower back. It's a work of art. His back muscles are...captivating, to say the least. He's muscular but not too muscular, and— I need to look away.

I must look away. But I can't.

My eyes trail down, and I spot more tattoos.

He has another mythical creature on his ribs that starts from his chest. A Kraken with tentacles all over, holding onto an anchor. His left arm has a sleeve tattoo. I squint, trying to decipher what the symbols are, and it becomes clear when I spot a Cheshire Cat with a big, creepy, sharp-toothed grin on a tree branch.

‘We're all mad here' in a smoke cloud in a funky font, just like the movie Alice in Wonderland. A Saint Michael, the archangel tattoo just below the Cat all over his arm to his wrist. His other arm is covered in spider and snake tattoos.

This man is defined all over, with a mass of muscles that clearly says he takes his physical fitness very seriously. I quickly examine Kane for a second, and it's not surprising he's extremely fit.

My lord, it's hot in here.

And then Take My Breath Away by Berlin starts to play, making the temperature skyrocket, and I want to throw my hat at it.

When they both turn to their side, I can see their faces. They lock hands, and it becomes clear what mischief they're up to tonight. It's an arm wrestling match.

Rider, Rooker, Lopez, and Zeke crowd around them with beer bottles in their hands. More men I don't recognize chant ‘Creature', and others chant ‘Bane.' Daegan and Kane both have aviator sunglasses on, and their skin is kissed deeply by the sun. This time...I can see part of Daegan's face.

This time, only half of his face is covered. A black half-mask that hides a layer of mystery.

My heart stops when I realize I get to see more of him.

He has a head full of thick strands. But not just any hair. Beautiful dark hair that's long but not too long. Their dark, wavy locks go down just past his ears. A dark beard that follows his jawline, surrounding his full lips and a face that has my legs screeching apart, wanting to welcome this flutter of lust that sparks.

Damn him because holy shit.

He's fucking hot.

I just dared this man earlier, saying the words like punish me in a parking lot during my short fit of rage.

And then he has the audacity to smile when he sees me—his enchanting lips curve, revealing straight white teeth with sharp canines.

He blinks, ripping his vision away from me, and goddamn, when he does that…an unfamiliar firestorm and butterflies swarm together around me like an unforgiving wave that's rolling through my chest. I thought these lost emotions were long gone.

But no.

They're here.

And it's like a part of me I thought had died, coming back to life. In that split second, I was hit with a shot of adrenaline stabbed straight through my chest.

I swing my gaze away from his overconfident wink and clear my throat. The loud music I tuned out regains its strength, and I unglue myself from that corner.

"Let's go find Jack," I plead, hooking my arm into hers and trying to pull her with me. But Winters doesn't budge; she keeps her brown cowboy boots planted onto the wooden floors.

"Wait, I want to see who wins." She grins, crossing her arms against her chest, and her eyes brighten. She's smiling a little too hard, but her eyes are stuck on Daegan.

I sigh, slumping in defeat, and I watch with her. I place my hands on my hips, my ring digging into my skin as I clutch my hips tight. We stand close together, and I'm trying to force myself not to care…but for some reason, the masked operator has me intrigued.

Daegan grins. His sharp incisors curve against his bottom lip and his biceps bulge as he flexes them. His veins stick out against his muscles as Kane applies pressure.

Kane's forehead is coated with sweat, his jaw twitches with stress, and he pushes down hard. His body shakes, and it's working. Daegan looks relaxed despite losing the match. His hand is slowly going down.

Kane is going to win.

Wow.

Daegan's knuckles are about to touch the wood, and the crowd pounds the counter, egging them both on. Kane's name is being chanted into the thick, humid air like he's already won. Daegan's knuckles are just a dime away from losing. But suddenly, there's a shift in Daegan.

He lifts his unscarred brow and smirks sinfully.

Cocky. As. Hell.

"My turn, Bane," he smirks like a devil. He fooled him…he fooled everyone.

Kane's dark blue eyes bulge in panic.

Out of nowhere, Daegan retracts like he was saving all his energy for this moment and pushes against Kane's force. In the blink of an eye, Kane's hand goes down with a hard bang against the wood. Kane's whole body drops in defeat, while Daegan jolts in victory. They both must be so drunk. He pushes Kane's shoulder hard in celebration; meanwhile, everyone's tune changes.

"Ohhhh!"

"Creature! Creature! Creature!" All the Special Operators chant drunkenly.

"Drink up, Bane." He pushes three shots of hard liquor towards Kane. It glides against the wood, the liquid almost jumping out of the shot glasses.

Kane sighs. Placing both his palms on the counter, he grips it tight, causing his triceps to flex. He shakes his head in disbelief, smoothing his hair back. He grabs the first shot and grits his teeth.

"Mother fucker hustled me." Kane spits like a sore loser.

He shrugs before drinking them all one by one, accepting his fate. Lopez laughs while he holds his phone as he records Kane. Daegan grabs a shot for himself when Gabe finishes preparing it. He joins Kane in his torture and downs the poison like it's water. He drops the empty glass just as Kane drops a hundred-dollar bill, sliding it toward him.

"Grown men acting like children, what's new," I roll my eyes as I try to hide the fact that it was kind of funny. I pass Winters, hoping she follows.

"I know, I know...what do you expect though? This is their last night for months or even a year. You gotta admit that was hot." She hits me with her hip playfully. "Bane and Creature can arm wrestle me any day, and I'd gladly let them win."

I walk away, rolling my eyes.

"Girl. Stop. You know you can't get involved with them romantically. You'll put your job and theirs at risk."

"I'm only joking…" She walks into the dancing crowd, and I follow right behind her. "Half-joking," she admits in her lustful confession.

"Now...where's Jack?"

"Thank you for the beer, Bailey," Jack thanks Bailey behind the bar counter. He takes a long swig of his beer before slamming it down on the counter. It chimes with a layer of emptiness. He wipes his wet lips with the side of his hand, watching the dancing crowd, his brown eyes anywhere but me.

Jack stopped by for free drinks an hour ago, and I was hoping I would see him with a smile on his face and his hands over my body.

But alas, he shows up distant, only seeking free beer from my close friend.

"You're welcome, Jack," she chirps before she attends to another customer. Her beautiful blue hair sways over her shoulder as she walks away from the three of us.

Bailey is tall, beautiful, sociable, and has the most welcoming aura about her. She has quotes and nature elements tattooed on her fair skin on both arms. We met at El Devine years ago and hit it off over time. We've been friends for three years and have never swayed. After hanging out consistently, she knows me, Winters, and Jack very well.

I sit in between Winters and Jack, sipping on a beer, as Bailey comes back with shots for all of us. We all cheer our glasses and swallow down the burning sensation, and I accept it without making a grimace.

I'm limiting myself tonight. I leave for deployment tomorrow. It's also the day I'm turning twenty-five, and I'll be spending it on an airplane.

Jack's attention gets pulled away as someone taps his shoulder. I don't have to turn around to know who it is. The air takes a turn, growing thick with dark vibes.

Frankie Blanchard.

He makes advances on me every time we're around him. I don't understand how my boyfriend keeps his friendship with him knowing these things.

He's a regular here, so I'm not surprised. He still wears his football varsity jacket like he's still the cool kid senior who refused to give up his social status once he graduated.

I've vented to Jack about Frankie many times, but he tells me just to ignore him and cover up with more layers of clothing whenever I'm around him…like that'll help.

Completely dismissive.

SEAL Team Executioners still stand in the far right of the bar, near the television and restrooms, drinking like we're not on orders for a deployment tomorrow.

"I'll see you back at home, okay?" Jack looks at his phone, typing away, and curiosity gnaws at me. I slump on the barstool, the tips of my boots hitting the floor.

"What? You're leaving already?" A frown transforms onto my disappointed face, eager for him to stay.

"Yeah, babe. I'm tired."

I look at my watch. Despite the numbers on it, the night still feels young. Either way, I don't stop him.

"I would just think you'd want to spend more time together on my last night out." My biceps tense as I lean on the counter, trying to get a peak at his phone screen, "Who's texting you so late?" I take a swig from my beer.

I feel like he's hiding something from me, and I can't help it. But guilt immediately replaces my assumptions, and I try to bite back my tongue and retract my question, but I fail.

He's never given me a reason not to trust him.

"Huh?" He pockets his phone and pretends he can't hear me. His body goes rigid like he's afraid I'm reading his brain.

"Your phone…what's going on?" I place one hand on my hip and lean on it.

"Oh, it's nothing. It's just my sister. Goodnight, babe…love you." He cuts our conversation short in a distasteful manner. He's defensive, and I want to poke and pry, but it's not the right time.

It's midnight, and he still hasn't wished me a happy birthday. Instead, he came in for free beers with his friends, talked to anyone else but me, and is leaving without noticing the damage he's done to me.

"Night." My tone rolls with an obvious irritation at his oblivious behavior.

"Alessia, babe, are you really mad at me right now?" He rolls his eyes. "I came to El Devine for you." There he goes again—his gaslighting and manipulation, which he's mastered so well over the course of our relationship.

I don't want to argue in public. El Devine's bar owner, Gabe, walks back and forth behind us, attending to customers. Drink after drink, shot after shot. Winters by my side, watching us.

"Of course not." A fake smile lights up on my face. "Look, I'm fine. Just go, please. Get home safe."

His eyes soften, and for a second, I think he realizes what he's doing to me…the night before I leave for months. It's my birthday, and I'm still hoping for some type of affection.

It hurts when you put so much into a relationship and then feel like you're the only thing keeping it afloat.

"Okay, night." He turns around on his heels and heads for the exit without doing any sort of double-take. There is no kiss on the cheek—nothing but a numb farewell.

He probably doesn't remember that today is my birthday, or maybe he has a surprise for me at home.

He reaches the doors in no time. He walks out, picking up his phone again, but this time, he holds it to his ear like he's making a phone call.

I want to go after him. I want to ask him why he's been such an ass lately. But then Winter's calls my name, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Alessia, Bailey is gonna bring us some nachos on the house."

I'm still upset about the whole PSD situation. I turn around, and she places her hand on my shoulder and squeezes in a comforting gesture.

My eyes search for Daegan down the counter, and he's nowhere to be seen anymore. All I see is Danny Rider and Enzo Rooker chatting away.

Maybe he left.

It'll be my first deployment, and I have a babysitter.

With a SEAL that wears a mask.

Cody Jinks plays loud, and I tap my fingers to the music. The bar will keep its doors open until three in the morning, and then I get to go home and make sure I have everything ready to go and packed for my upcoming deployment.

I have to ensure I have all the proper uniforms and equipment accounted for.

My phone buzzes in the back pocket of my jeans, vibrating against the bar stool.

Unknown: How's your boyfriend doing? Did he get a band-aid for his little flesh wound?