Page 20 of The Hitman's Secret Love Child

Chapter 8

Constantine

The declaration that she was going to move in with me was out of my mouth before I even realized what I was saying. But then again, it wasn’t such a bad idea and it would only be temporary. Gabriel and his goons didn’t know where I lived and my place was armed to the hilt, just in case things went bad for me. You can never be too safe in my line of work.

She gave me a look like I’d just lost my mind and then she verbally confirmed what she was thinking. “You’re out of your mind. There’s something you’re not telling me.”

“You don’t have a choice.” And she didn’t. If I had to kidnap her, then so be it. But I wasn’t about to let her be alone. Time was running out on my contract.

“I can call the police. That’s what I can do.”

Cocking an eyebrow up at her I replied, “And they’ll do what? Exactly.”

“They’ll…”

I could see the wheels churning in her mind. Gabriel had a lot of contacts in high places. He was on the NYPD’s most sought-after list, but no matter how hard they tried they could never nail him. Expensive, hotshot lawyers and bribes to the right people, that’s how criminals kept out of jail.

“Look, like it or not, I’m the only one who can help you right now.”

“And what do you plan on doing to help me?” She laughed, but it was hollow-sounding. “Kill him instead?”

I shrugged. If that’s what it took, then perhaps. “If that’s what it takes.”

“You’re crazy.” She shook her head at me, disbelief in her gaze. “Look. I have something in the works.”

“And it can continue to be in the works at my place. If you really love our son you’ll do what’s best for him and keep him safe. I can do that. At the moment I’m the only one who can do that.”

The look of determination and defiance began to fade in her eyes and expression. I’d found the correct pressure point and was breaking down her resolve. “Okay. Fine. But I have one condition.”

I was relieved. I didn’t want to force her. “Okay. Hit me with it.”

“I don’t want you telling Austin you’re his father.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but she raised her hand and pointed her index finger at me. “I’ll tell him when I feel the timing is right. If and when the time comes. There’s too much chaos to add more to it right now.”

My jaw clenched as I considered her words. I supposed I could hold off for now. I’d won the first battle; the second battle could wait.

“Fine. Go get your stuff packed and ready to go.”

“Now?”

“Of course now. I’m thinking you aren’t grasping the magnitude of the situation, Robyn.” I looked around, taking in the apartment, which was sparse of much of anything. “Looks like you don’t have a helluva lot to take anyhow.”

She didn’t respond verbally, but just nodded.

~*~TT~*~

Robyn

Bad idea. Good idea. I had no idea which of the two it was, but Constantine had said the magic words when mentioning the safety of Austin.

But, can you really trust Constantine? You may have known him years ago, but it’s evident he’s not the same man anymore, a voice in the back of my head chimed in. He may have been the one sent to put a bullet in your head.

But did I ever really know him? Back then I would never have thought him capable of armed robbery, but I’d seen it with my own eyes on the security camera footage that had been aired on the news. Despite the ski mask I’d known it was him. So after a couple of weeks of soul searching and the positive reading on the pregnancy test I’d decided to run from him six years ago. So if I couldn’t trust him back then was it smart to run to him now?

Questions, so many questions…

Though I didn’t think I had a choice really. So it became a matter of what was the lesser evil. Take my chances until the FBI agreed to protect me, or put my faith and the lives of myself and my child into the hands of the man I used to love.

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