Page 32

Chapter 32

Constantine

“You’re a fast learner,” I complimented Colin after he attempted parallel parking for the fifth time.

I considered it a success—not because he’d actually pulled it off but because he didn’t hit the car behind us while trying to do so.

“And you don’t totally suck as a teacher,” he remarked with a grin.

I was also a quick study and knew that was my son’s way of saying thank you. I’d take what I could get.

“You think I’ll get accepted here one day?” Colin asked almost solemnly, staring at the New York University building next to us, the school’s flag waving like a beacon of hope in the breeze.

Juliette leaned forward from the backseat, patting his shoulder. “Of course.”

He fidgeted with his seat belt, glancing at her. “Not because you buy a wing or something like that to get me in the way Zach’s dad would do.”

I side-eyed him, curious. “And who’s Zach?”

“The jerk I punched for hitting his girlfriend.”

I twisted around on my seat, catching Juliette’s eyes as I asked him, “And does Zach have a last name?”

“Don’t answer that,” she pleaded.

Colin wasted no time in answering. “Bauer.” He sent his mom an apologetic shrug. “What?” His grin stretched to meet his eyes. “I can’t risk him taking the keys from me, not when I’m having so much fun.”

So much fun? I settled back in the seat as that compliment passed over me.

“Zach’s father won’t win any nice-guy awards anytime soon.” Colin adjusted the rearview mirror to look at his mother. “He’s not just a defense attorney, he defends the scum of the universe and makes big bucks doing it.”

“You’re not helping my case here. I’m trying to keep your father from having a talk with him, not encourage it.”

“I already have enough reason to pay him a visit, don’t worry. Colin’s just helping me determine how, uh, hard I lay into him with that talk. ”

“I’d pay what little money I have to see that conversation , ” Colin said, beaming from ear to ear. The kid kept proving over and over again how much like me he really was, even though I hadn’t raised him.

“Speaking of Zach and school,” I began, deciding to deflect to save Juliette from worrying about my one-on-one that absolutely would be happening, “I was wondering if you’d like to switch to a new high school, my old one?”

I let Juliette take the lead and explain, and Colin agreed without any pushback. It felt almost too easy. What was I missing?

“Can you get Lennon in, too?”

And there it is.

That was another reminder that I needed to focus on our surroundings and check the mirrors, ensuring we didn’t have a tail. And where were Izzy and Hudson with an update on Lennon’s old man? “Let’s, uh, just see what happens after.”

“After what happens?” Colin turned to look at me.

“I don’t have an answer for you on that yet.” I quickly checked my phone. Still nothing. “I’ll do my best to get Lennon in,” I relented.

“Shake on it?” He offered his hand.

Like mother, like son. I pocketed my phone and hesitantly accepted, relieved to see a smile settle back on his lips.

“Okay, where are we going next?” He returned his hand to the wheel in preparation to pull back into traffic. “Brunch, driving lessons, and now . . . how about shopping before we go home?”

Home. He called my place home. Hell, I’d go anywhere he wanted after giving me that gift.

“No shopping sprees for you,” Juliette said firmly.

“Maybe a small one?” Colin peeked at her in the rearview mirror again. “I could use some new kicks.”

“It’s almost four”— at least I’m getting the swing of civilian time —“we’re pushing our luck by being out this long.” But I couldn’t resist giving in to his request, so I faced Juliette and gave her the best “begging puppy” look I could manage that I’d learned from Izzy. “Come on, let the kid have some new shoes.”

“Don’t encourage him.” She folded her arms but was failing to hide her smile. “He’s supposed to be grounded, remember?”

“Your mother has a point, but . . .” I left my sentence hanging, hoping Colin would swoop in and save us both. We made a good team.

“ Buuuut ,” he picked up like a pro, catching on, “I’ve never been shopping with my father before.” Colin copied my eyes and downturned mouth, sending her the sad-puppy face, too. “You won’t steal that chance from me, will you?”

“Pick a different word than steal if you want me to keep going with the flow here. At least try not to remind me of the danger we’re in because of why you’re grounded.” The authoritative tone in her warning was entirely too sexy and something I definitely shouldn’t react to while being in a car with our son.

“Please,” was all he said, shifting around, offering the exact look I gave her.

She sighed but surrendered. “Fine, fine. But no spoiling.”

Colin faced forward, already pulling into traffic.

“Maybe a little spoiling,” I remarked, earning a smile of approval from him.

Once we were at the shopping center closest to my place, which I remembered lacked metal detectors so I could walk around with my Glock tucked at my back, he parked in the garage on the second level.

I unbuckled and faced Juliette. “I plan on spoiling you, too, by the way. Your birthday is next weekend,” I reminded her. “What would you like? Anything, and it’s yours.”

“You’ve already given me more than I could ask for,” she said softly.

Colin groaned. “You two just need to do it already.” He opened the door and got out, and my heart may have momentarily stopped, needing a complete reboot after that comment.

Her eyes widened in apology. “I’m sorry. He’s got this problem.”

“Oh yeah, what’s that?”

“It’s called being a teenager. Symptoms include word vomiting whatever is on their mind.” She sighed.

“Any cure?” I lifted a brow.

“Getting older?”

I couldn’t help but smile. When she went for her door handle, I shook my head. “Let me, one sec.” I stepped out, kept an eye on Colin hovering by the car on his phone, probably checking on Lennon, then opened her door and offered my hand.

“Thank you, sir.” She rested her hand in mine just as a creeping sensation wound down my spine from my neck to the Glock secured at my back.

Something’s wrong. I faced away from her, my gaze darting back and forth between the row of cars opposite us.

The low hum of idling engines filled my ears, and the faintest sound of footsteps grew louder. No one was currently in sight. We were alone amongst the parked cars, but my gut was never wrong about impending threats.

The dim, flickering lights overhead threw shadows across the concrete as two men stepped into view.

“Get in the car with your mother,” I ordered, shifting just enough to block them from view.

The taller of the two men smirked, stepping forward. His hand drifted close to his hip, testing me. “Easy there,” he said. “Going for my badge, not a weapon.”

I didn’t buy it. Nor did I move or blink.

He flashed an NYPD badge. Real or not, I wasn’t about to lower my guard.

“What do you want?” I asked them.

“The boy. He was at the scene of a crime. Two dead bodies. We need a word with him at the station.”

Bullshit. Izzy told me neither the FBI nor the NYPD were ever alerted about what happened at the rave. These two were either crooked or not cops at all.

Juliette gave me a heart attack by coming around to my side. “Officer, I’m sorry, but my son was?—”

“Is not going anywhere with you,” I finished for her, my voice dropping as sharp as a blade. “You touch him, you lose your hands. Am I clear?”

“You threatening a cop?” the second officer asked, a Bostonian accent slipping through.

The one with the badge had the balls to try and test the size of mine. “We’re taking the kid out of here.”

“The fuck you are,” I growled out as he pocketed his badge.

He moved in quickly after that, leading with a right hook. Always the damn right.

I dodged, countered with an uppercut to his chin, then swept his legs out. He hit the pavement with a loud thud.

“Mom, look out!”

I spun around at Colin’s warning, discovering a weapon being pointed Juliette’s way. I yanked her behind me, drew, and fired. Two shots. Center mass.

The man crumpled, and I returned to problem number two, discovering Colin had already gotten to him first.

Colin moved fast. A jab, a brutal right elbow, and a knee to the ribs.

The guy dropped to all fours, gasping for air.

At the sight of a glint of metal at the man’s ankle, I shouted, “Colin, get back!” I fired off three shots, putting him down for good.

Screams echoed throughout the garage. Time was up.

Juliette and Colin were still standing. Shaken up, but alive.

I holstered my gun and grabbed Colin’s arms, scanning him. “Are you hurt?” My voice was firm, controlled.

Blood smeared his fingers, and he showed me his palms, jaw clenched. “Not—not my blood.”

“Good.” I turned to Juliette, letting go of him. “Take Colin. Get in the car. Now.”

Sirens wailed in the distance. Real cops this time.

I searched the bodies, pocketed their wallets, and grabbed the badge. No phones on them. Must’ve left them in their car.

I dragged the bodies out from behind my Maserati. No reason to further scar Juliette and Colin by backing over their corpses.

Sliding into the driver’s seat, I looked at them in the backseat to check on them. Juliette’s hands were shaking, and Colin was stone silent.

I faced forward, throwing the car into reverse. “They weren’t real cops,” I said, voice calm, even though my adrenaline still burned. “Or, at the least, they were crooked. The last place they planned to take you was the station.”

Juliette whispered, “Then why don’t we wait for the real police?”

I exhaled, gripping the wheel as the sirens closed in on us. “Because the last time I was arrested for murder”—I glanced back at her again—“it ended with me becoming a contract killer for the government.”