Page 25 of The Hitman's Secret Love Child

Chapter 10

Robyn

Following Constantine and Austin into the house, I was greeted by a large foyer. It was painted in rich beiges and mahogany colours with mirrored sliding doors that opened to display a large coat closet.

As Constantine hung his jacket up, I looked at myself in the mirror and a soft strangled sound came from between my slightly parted lips. I looked like shit with dark circles under my eyes and my hair in a messy bun at the top of my head. And thin; I’ve never been what you would call a thin girl, more like slightly curvy, but I’d lost so much weight in my face that it looked gaunt. If I saw someone looking like me walking down the street, I’d cross the damned road thinking they were some sort of crack addict.

“You all right?”

“Huh?” Frowning, I looked up into Constantine’s handsome face and it made me feel even worse about myself. If anything the years had made him hotter. He’d thickened out since we were together, all pure lean muscle, while I’d become a colossal train wreck. No wonder he seemed so aloof with me – I’d become a huge disappointment, both physically and in life.

If I thought I was depressed earlier then it was nothing compared to how I felt now.

“Hey, just chill.” His smile was genuine, concern in his eyes. “It’ll be all good. You’re safe here.”

I sniffed. I had one crying feast already today, I really didn’t need to indulge in another. Self-pity never did anyone any good. Though I was happy that he mistook the reason for my upset. The last thing I needed was him thinking I was still carrying a torch for him after all these years.

But you have been, a voice in the back of my head chimed in. But that was long ago. I regretted the circumstances of how it ended; it was almost tragic. Forcing a smile to my lips, despite the pain I gave him the best smile I could muster up. We were in love at one time, but it was over.

“Come see the rest of the house and I’ll show you and Austin your rooms.”

I nodded as he put a hand at the center of my lower back and guided me further into the house. “Where are we?”

“My house.”

Rolling my eyes at him, I groaned. “I mean where in the city.”

“Nice try. My house for an answer is the best you’ll be getting out of me.”

“Can’t blame a girl for trying.” We entered the living room where Austin had already perched himself on the brown leather sectional, remote in hand and flipping through the channels on a massive projection television mounted on the wall. The living room was gigantic, with deep maroon-colored walls and beige carpet. It was easily the size of my entire apartment – though that wasn’t saying much.

“Austin Carsen Vaughn, turn that television off this instant.” Planting my hands on my hips I shot my best disapproving mom stare at our child. I was so intent on Austin I didn’t even notice the look of surprise on Constantine’s face as he stared down at me.

~*~TT~*~

Constantine

Austin Carsen Vaughn. Carsen was my middle name and he name of my deceased father – biological father that is. I didn’t know what to think about the fact she used my name. I wanted to question her on it, at least thank her, but didn’t want to interrupt her “mom” moment with Austin. There’d be plenty of time for question-and-answer period later tonight when Austin was tucked away and asleep.

Eyeing Robyn as she conversed with Austin I felt a lump of pity in my stomach for her. She looked dead on her feet. It was amazing the effect stress could have on a person, both mentally and physically.

“Come on buddy, let’s go see your room,” I said, breaking the tension between mother and son.

“Okay.” He shot me a side grin and hopped off the sofa after turning off the television. As he ran past the end table, his hand hit a vase, sending it flying. The delicate blue and silver Milano glass vase that I’d gotten on a trip to Venice last year hit the wall and shattered, with the dozens of pieces falling into the thick carpet.

Oh, fuck me.

He stopped dead in his tracks, his mouth dropping open and blue eyes going wide in horror. Looking over at Robyn, her expression mimicked Austin’s, dead silence taking over the house. Austin looked about the way that I felt inside. The vase had cost me several thousand dollars and meticulous wrapping to get it home safely. Gritting my teeth, I forced myself to remain calm. It was just a vase, not a big deal.

Crouching down, I motioned for Austin to come to me. He didn’t budge. Why in the hell was he so terrified? I looked up at Robyn. Her expression wasn’t giving me a clue on the problem.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…” he began.

“Don’t worry about that, little man. It’s just a cheap knockoff I got at Pottery Barn.” I motioned for him again. “Come on, let me show you to your room.”

With some hesitation, he came to me and I lifted him into my arms. Wrapping his arms around my neck. and securing him on my hip, I grabbed one of the two suitcases and nodded my head toward the staircase, leading the way.

“Your house is really beautiful,” she commented from behind me.

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