Page 21 of The Hitman's Secret Love Child

No, it wasn’t a choice, not really. I’d take Constantine’s help and as soon as I could cut a deal with the feds it would be see ya later, gator. I was only a few days away from settling a deal with them. I’d accept Constantine’s offer of protection until then.

“Fine. Fine,” I said once I was finally able to regain my ability to speak. “This is all so much.” Placing my elbows on my knees, I placed my head in my hands and forced myself to keep from bursting out into tears. I’d never cried a single tear since this whole thing began with Gabriel and I refused to allow myself now. Taking in a deep breath, I exhaled slowly as I raised my head from its resting place and looked up to meet Constantine’s gaze.

“I can’t imagine what you’ve been dealing with, but for right now we need to focus on getting you packed and out. Right now. They might have people watching your place. I haven’t noticed anyone yet, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t.”

Another shot of panic raced through me. I’d always thought there was a possibility but to have someone confirm that Gabriel may be having me watched sent chills through me. “When do you want to do this?”

He stood. “Now. Do you still have boxes from the move?” He made his way toward my bedroom and opened the door.

“I do. Honestly I didn’t come with much and only unpacked what I needed.” Standing, I followed him into my room, somewhat indignant over the fact he was taking liberties in my home.

“How much do you have? Whatever is left behind you most likely will never see again.” He scanned my bedroom and walked over the closet, pulling it open. The closet was far from full. He didn’t wait for me to reply. “Doesn’t look like there’s much. What I’m going to do is call a courier service.” He exited the bedroom and headed for the kitchen. “Is the furniture yours?”

“No. Came with the apartment.”

“Good. Then everything will fit into a mini van from the service.”

I leaned a shoulder against the doorjamb and watched him survey the small room, opening cupboards and drawers, still feeling irked at the intrusion regardless of whether he was trying to help me or not. “Couldn’t the people who might be watching me see me moving out and then just follow the van?”

Constantine stopped his examination of the room and turned to face me. “There’s close to 50 apartments in this building. Even if they did catch on it was you moving out, the courier van won’t be dropping off your stuff at its final destination. I’ll be picking it up where the van leaves it and taking it to where it ultimately needs to go, which is why I’m thrilled you don’t have a lot.”

The comment pissed me off, because it reminded me of everything I lost because of Gabriel. I gritted my teeth. Constantine was going to help me and if I were to go into protective custody I would have to give up 80 percent of the few things I had left anyhow. It wasn’t his fault I was in the mess that I was in. It was my own damned fault.

“Yeah, well.”

His expression softened as he strode up to me, grasping my upper arms in his hands. “Look, Robyn. It’s going to be all right. You’ll have your life back; I promise I’ll make it happen for you.” The sincerity in his eyes was all I needed. I broke down.

Stepping up to him, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed myself tight to him, burying my face into the crook of his shoulder and neck. It was like the floodgates I’d been holding tightly closed had burst open and I needed him to draw strength from. And I was thankful to him for that. Regardless of the past, he was here for me now when I needed support more than ever. I needed a familiar, strong set of arms to console me and he was offering just what I needed in the moment that I needed it most.

“It’ll be okay,” he murmured as he stroked my hair, holding me tight against him. His embrace felt so good and so familiar. And it made me cry even harder, my tears saturating his black cotton shirt as my hands fisted the back.

“I’ve gotten myself and our child into such a mess, Constantine.”

“I know.”

Boy, way to sugar-coat it. But he was never one to sugar-coat his words. “I’m trying to get us out of this. I really am,” I groaned, sniffling as my sobs began to subside. I suddenly felt exhausted, more exhausted than I was already.

“Yes, I know. And I’m going to help you.”

“Why help me after what I did?” If it weren’t for arms still around me, I would have surely fallen to the floor. Could he still have feelings for me even after what I did?

“I’m not. I’m doing this for Austin. A child needs his parents.”

“Oh.” It was like a wave of cold water had been splashed onto me and I flinched. I shouldn’t have been disappointed, but a small part of me was. Of course, it was Austin and not me. It was crazy for me to even think anything otherwise so I gathered myself and nodded. “Let’s get started.”

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