The Hitman's Secret Love Child: Second Chance Romance

by Terry Towers

  “I know honey, but it’s time to get up. We’re leaving.”

  His little brow creased as he lowered his hands and stared up at me.

  “We’re going home?” His eyes lit up and a smile began to form on his lips.

  Ahhh, hell. Here we go again.

  I forced a smile to my lips. “No. We’re moving someplace new for a little while.”

  “Where? Why can’t we go home? I want to go home.” The smile immediately turned to a frown as he sat up and crossed his arms over his chest and his voice took on a whiny tone. “I want to go see Daddy.”

  “We can’t.”

  “I’m not going! Not until I see Daddy!” His voice became louder with each word.

  Closing my eyes, I silently counted backward from ten, calming my nerves before reopening them. He was confused and didn’t know what was going on, it wasn’t his fault. I cringed inwardly thinking about the fact that I was going to have to come clean and tell him that his father wasn’t dead, but was instead packing and shipping out the few belongings we had left.

  Putting on my “stern face,” I glared at him. “You will be going and I don’t want to hear another word about it. And you’d best be lowering your tone when you speak to me.”

  There was a flash of rebellion in his little eyes, but he seemed to think twice about it. Instead, he jutted his lower lip out in a little pouty look, flipping the blankets off himself and slipped out of bed, muttering, “Fine.”

  “Okay. Your clothes are on the foot of the bed.”

  “Where’s my stuff?” He looked around his tiny room, confused.

  “Already packed. I just need you to get dressed and we’ll be leaving.”

  When he didn’t reply, I exited the room, leaving him to it and advising him that he had five minutes as I closed the door behind me.

  “How’d it go?” Constantine asked as I entered the living room.

  “About as good as expected.” When he cocked a brow up at me, I gave him some clarity. “He wants to go back to Gabriel’s house and he’s just angry and confused over, well,” I ran a hand through my hair, which was slightly on the greasy side – I seriously needed a shower, “everything.”

  “I see.” He motioned to the mess of boxes around him. “The courier guys called and they are on their way up.”

  “Sure.” My heart stopped beating a moment as the gravity of what I was doing hit me. I was making some big changes and this was the biggest of all.

  “What’s wrong?” Constantine crossed the room to me and attempted to pull me into his arms, but I stepped away. He was doing this for Austin and not for me. Being close to him had brought back feelings I’d locked away. Seeing him as my knight in shining armor would do me no good, it was simply him saving his son – that was all.

  Giving my head a shake I shrugged. “Tired. I have a headache. Stressed. I’m so strung out I can barely function.” Tears threatened to fall again. I wouldn’t allow it – not again. How much stress and insanity could one person take before she broke? I didn’t know, but it felt like I was testing my limits at the current moment.

  He didn’t look convinced – not that he should be, I was lying through my teeth. Sure, I was all the things I listed, but they weren’t the reason for my distress at that moment. Giving me one more dubious look, he shrugged.

  “Good enough then. I parked out back, so we’ll let them get to it while we slip out.”

  “Okay…”

  “Look.” He touched my arm and gave me a sympathetic smile. “I know this is a leap of faith, but if you don’t take it then you’ll be dead before your little deal with the feds goes through.”

  “Wha–”

  Placing his index finger on my lips he shook his head, stopping my denial. “I saw you with them. I know. So no sense in denying it. Let’s get out of here while I have a chance to do it as quietly as possible.”

  “What do you mean by quietly?”

  Constantine looked at me with a look so cold and detached that it sent a shiver down my spine. I didn’t know the man who was looking down on me right now. “So I can keep the killing to a minimum to get you out of this mess.”

  “Killing…” I choked on the word. If it wasn’t completely real before, it certainly was now. The only consolation I had was that the hired killer was now on my side.

  ~*~ TT ~*~

  “Is the blindfold truly necessary?” I didn’t like this. Not at all. Once I was seated in the front passenger seat of the BMW and Austin in the back, Constantine insisted on blindfolding us. Apparently it was his way or we were on our own.

  “Yes, it’s for your own safely.”

  “Bullshit.”

  “Mom, language.”

  Constantine chuckled.

  I rolled my eyes from behind the blindfold. Austin was on an anti-bad language kick lately. Which was great, normally. But sometimes you just needed to spew out a string of curses without being chastised by a five-year-old.

  Damn, I was cranky. I felt the need to apologize despite not saying a word to Austin in response.

  “How much longer?”

  “You need to take a lesson from our kid on patience.”

  My heart stopped, I swear it did for a brief second as my breath hitched in my throat, waiting to see if Austin caught on to what he’d just said. Austin was extremely astute, making it difficult to get anything past him.

  But no questions came from the back seat so my heart began to softly thump in my chest once more as I breathed a sigh of relief. I’d have to tell Austin and soon – Constantine would insist on it. He hadn’t yet, but he would even if his initial thought was to keep silent. Eventually living with Austin would make him demand to take over his right as his father.

  “Besides, we’re almost there.”

  “You said that at least twenty minutes ago.”

  “Is your mom always this whiny, Austin?”

  There was a moment’s hesitation before the reply came, “Sometimes.”

  A roar of laughter echoed throughout the car before Constantine replied, “She could be sometimes when we were together.”

  “Together?” Austin asked, with curiosity in his tone.

  I looked over in the direction of Constantine even though all I could see was darkness. “We knew each other a long time ago,” I offered.

  “I think you could call it more than just knew each other.”

  “This isn’t really the time nor place, Constantine.” I ensured there was a hint of warning in my tone.

  “You have my apologies.” Even though I couldn’t see his face I knew he was smiling. The bugger wasn’t sorry at all.

  A curse was on the tip of my tongue, but for Austin’s sake I bit it back. There was a special type of embarrassment that went along with being chastised by a child barely older than a toddler.

  Seconds passed, minutes, it was hard to say. One thing I did know was that I felt ridiculous. What would it hurt letting me see where we were going?

  “Constantine?” Austin’s voice pulled me from the daze I had lulled myself into.

  “Yeah buddy.”

  “I gotta pee.”

  “Ohhh. Can you hold it a bit longer?”

  “Ummm.” There was a long silence. “No.”

  I was expecting a “humph” or some other comment or noise of disdain, but to my surprise I didn’t. Instead I heard, “Of course, pal. Just a couple minutes, okay?”

  “’kay.”

  As promised we pulled over and he cut the engine.

  “So you’re to keep on the blindfold, Robyn.”

  “For god’s sakes,” I muttered under my breath. Personally, I had to pee like a race horse, but I gritted my teeth and held on. Surely wherever he lived wasn’t too far outside of the city.

  He chuckled as he opened his door. He paused as if waiting for me to respond, but I refused give him the benefit. Even after the two of them returned from their potty break I remained quiet, unsure of what to say. Considering he was saving our lives I should
be grateful to him, falling to my knees and lavishing him with my thanks. So, why wasn’t I? Where was all my bitterness toward him coming from? If anything he was the one who had the right to be angry with me, not the other way around. Either way, I remained quiet until the car slowed and the sound of a garage door slowly raising signalled our arrival.

  “We’re here. You can take the blindfold off, Robyn.”

  Not waiting a second, I pulled it up and over my head. The garage was a large four- car garage with two empty stalls, a silver Porsche in the first and a black Lamborghini in the furthest one back. “Business must be good.” It’s not like I wasn’t used to fancy cars – Gabriel had a collection including a Ferrari and pimped-out Escalade – but I didn’t expect to see that Constantine had the starting of one.

  He got out of the car, grabbed our suitcases from the trunk and made his way to the door that took him into the house, Austin not waiting for my go-ahead, hopping out of the car and following his father. Turning, he looked directly into my eyes through the driver’s side window of the car. “Are you waiting for a written invitation?”

  “Umm.” Damn. I ran a hand through my hair and undid my seat belt. Well, this is it, good or not the beginning of my new life, I mused as I opened the car door and exited the vehicle. Or the end of it, a voice in the back of my head chimed in.

  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.

  “Thanks. I wanted something close to the city, but still a little out of the way. It took six months to find this one.”

  “Business must be good. This must have cost a small fortune.”

  I looked over my shoulder at her and smiled. “I’ve done okay. Not your former husband good, but good nonetheless. But then again, I have some scruples.”

  She scrunched her nose up at me and I immediately regretted my words. And really, did I have more scruples than him? That could be debatable. “Sorry.”

  “It’s okay.”

  She followed me up the flight of stairs, softly grunting as she pulled the large, heavy suitcase behind her. I would have happily taken it up after I deposited her and Austin, but she seemed intent on doing it herself. At the top of the stairs, I led her down the hallway to the first guest bedroom, which would be for Austin. The house had six bedrooms in all, 4,500 square feet. It was a little bit big for one person, but I liked it.

  “This, my little man, will be yours.” I set him down and he immediately ran in.

  “This is cool.” He ran to the window and looked out. The window overlooked the small garden and fountain. Had he been in the room across the hall, he would have had a perfect view of the pool and grotto. “Awesome. There’s a fountain, Mommy.”

  “Nice.” She smiled as she looked up at me. “Lot of room for your toys when Constantine picks them up.”

  “Uh-huh. And look at the TV.” His grin widened as he peered up at the 46” television mounted on the wall. “And there’s a PS4!” He looked directly at Constantine. “Do you
have lots of games?”

  “I do,” Constantine responded as he pushed Austin’s suitcase into the room. “And after you unpack your stuff, if it’s okay with your mother I’ll show you where they are.”

  “Yeah!!!” Austin grabbed the suitcase with enthusiasm and began to unzip it.

  “I’m going to show your mom her room and then we’ll be back, maybe get you some lunch.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Come on.” Placing a hand at the small of her back, I directed Robyn down the hall, one door down.

  ~*~ TT ~*~

  Robyn yawned for the dozenth time since we had sat down to watch the movie. It had been a long day between the move and settling in. It was taking an emotional toll on her, not to mention the lack of sleep. It was a wonder she lasted until 8 p.m. Austin had fallen asleep with the PS4 controller in hand nearly two hours ago, after eating a hearty supper.

  “Maybe you should retire for the night,” I suggested.

  “No, I’m fine, it’s not even eight yet.” She yawned again and fell deeply into the sofa.

  Taking her for her word despite not believing her entirely, I went back to watch the romantic comedy Robyn had selected. Within ten minutes I felt the weight of her slumping against me and soft snores coming from her.

  Not sure what to do, I allowed her to remain snuggled against me as I watched her sleep. I suppose some would think me watching her sleep would be creepy and I guess they could be right, but I did it anyhow, my eyes scanning every part of her. Brushing a lock of black and red hair that had fallen over her eyes out of her face, I studied her facial features. Even while sleeping she had worry creasing her forehead.

  “I’ll make this right,” I whispered as I stroked her long, satiny hair. If I were to be honest with myself, I’d have to admit that I was part of the reason she and my child were in this mess. If I hadn’t agreed to the stupid idea of robbing that store, I wouldn’t have killed that guy and then she wouldn’t have left me and had our baby behind my back. Hell, if I hadn’t fucked up all those years ago, perhaps we’d be married with a mortgage we couldn’t afford but got anyhow, a few kids and while we may be just getting by financially we’d be happy. And they’d be safe.