Page 38 of The Hitman’s Final Job

He stares at me for one second.

Then he laughs, and I laugh because he’s laughing. His hands are still in my hair and mine around his waist. I rest my forehead on his shoulder.

The sound of keys in the lock makes us jump. We have only enough time to put some distance between us before I see Rowan’s smiling face.

“Put your clothes on, boys. The fun party is here.”

I know he’s joking. But if he only knew how close he was.

“Rowan,” Vaughn says, crossing the kitchen and pulling his son into a hug that Rowan returns. Over Vaughn’s shoulder, Rowan catches my eye and grins again, and I give him the expression that means I see you, and I’m not rising to it.

He grins wider.

Vaughn steps back, and Rowan turns to me and closes the remaining distance in two steps, and then I’m in his familiar embrace.

“You’re actually here,” he says, against my shoulder.

“You told me to come,” I say.

“I tell you to come every time,” he says, pulling back to look at me. “You don’t usually listen.”

I don’t have a response I can say out loud.

Rowan turns back to his dad. “I’m kidnapping him, and we’re going on an adventure. Overnight.” He refocuses on me. “Pack a bag. Enough for one night, but warm clothes.”

My first thought is I can’t leave Vaughn alone, but Rowan doesn’t know that, so I’m stuck, because there’s no logical reason to not go with him. After all, he thinks I’m on a vacation from work.

If either of them sense my hesitation, they don’t show it.

Vaughn grabs his travel coffee mug and steps forward to give Rowan a quick hug. His eyes meet mine over Rowan’s shoulder, and when he’s done, he turns to me with open arms, so I step in.

The hug is over too soon, but his hand presses once against my back and I feel his thumb moving as if to say he won’t forget what happened just minutes ago before Rowan showed up.

“Have fun,” he says. “Both of you. And for the love of my sanity don’t go do anything dangerous.” The message seems to be pointed at Rowan, who shrugs.

“Can’t promise anything, Pops, but I’ll try to bring this old man back in one piece.” He snorts. “Emotional scars notwithstanding.”

Vaughn leaves, and then it’s just me, Rowan, and the secrets I’m keeping from the most important people in my life.

“Have you eaten?” Rowan asks.

“No.”

“Good. Get packed quick. We’re going to the Sunrise Bakery for breakfast. We need to load up on carbs and protein.”

“Where are we going?”

“Surprise,” he says.

“I’m not liking this,” I protest as I walk out of the kitchen.

“You’re gonna love it.”

The Sunrise Bakery smells like heaven. A beautiful woman with long, curly hair is behind the counter when we arrive.

“Rowan Reeves,” she says. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen your gorgeous face. Pick a table. What can I get you?”

“Give us your best breakfast, Maria. We have a busy day ahead of us,” Rowan says. “And two coffees, please.”