Page 25 of The Hitman
My heart’s in overdrive when the third call goes unanswered. I weave through the city like death’s hot on my heels. My life flashes through my mind. Every kill, every soul I’ve taken.
I rev the engine, pushing harder, faster.
I won’t add two more to the list.
Chapter Seven
Callie
It’s Waffle Wednesday, which means all day long, Leo and I get our hands dirty in the kitchen, concocting different waffle-themed meals. This morning, we made log cabins for breakfast. Lunch consisted of battleships with blueberries for pegs, and now we’re putting the final touches on our waffle pizzas for dinner.
Any minute now, Jaxon will walk through the door. He’ll shake his head at our newest creation because he likes to pretend he doesn’t love my homemade waffles, even though he’s not fooling anyone.
He always sneaks a second helping.
The clock on the stove turns to 9:05 p.m. He hasn’t been this late coming home since the night we almost kissed, but I distract myself from worrying by smearing cream cheese frosting on the waffle I’m making for him. I decorate it with a smiley face made out of fruit in the hopes of getting thatlook. The one where he cocks a brow as if to say,Seriously, Callie?
I’ll cross my arms and he’ll give me a sexy smirk while I wait for him to take a bite. My insides will flutter like mad, and then we’ll pretend like Leo isn’t secretly watching, grinning from ear to ear.
Same song and dance every single week.
I smile to myself before checking the clock again and adding a ridiculous amount of whipped cream to the smiley’s cheeks.
Ireallylove Wednesdays.
Leo’s picking at his M & M pepperonis, his chin resting on his fist, when I place Jaxon’s plate beside him on the bar. He prods the soggy squares in his waffle with the tip of his fork.
“What’s wrong, buddy?”
He lifts a shoulder. “Just wishing my mom was here.”
My heart cracks around the edges.
It’s obvious how much Jaxon cares for his nephew, even when he thinks he’s failing him. He’s doing his best, but I think what Leo needs right now is to feel connected to his mother—and I just might know how to help.
“I know how much you miss her. I lost my granny when I was twelve.” He peers up with red-rimmed eyes, quiet, but listening intently. “It was rough, especially since she was like a mother to me. She loved to bake, and baking always made me feel like she was right there beside me. Maybe we could do something like that to help you feel close to your mom right now?”
“I dunno…” he says. “Mom isn’t much of a baker. She always burns stuff ‘cause she forgets to set a timer.”
I can’t help but chuckle. “Tell me what she likes to do, then. Something that she does that makes you laugh, and we’ll recreate that moment so she knows you’re thinking of her.”
He pauses, considering this a moment before the start of a smile tugs the corner of his mouth. “She loves dancing and singing.”
“Perfect!” He giggles when I shimmy. “What’s her favorite song?”
“I think it’s by the Bees Geese.”
I snort. “Do you meanThe Bee Gees?”
“Yeah! That one.”
I connect my phone to the sound system in the living room, and turn back to him. “Got it. Let’s see if we can find the one she likes.”
We cycle through a few of their popular hits before landing on ‘More Than a Woman.’
“All right, let’s do this.” I extend my hand to his, wiggling my fingers until he caves and takes it.
I crank up the volume, twirling him around the living room. We pass the priceless artifacts littering every shelf, and when we reach the koi pond, I pick him up and place him on the edge, giving him center stage.
