Constantine steadily stared at him, still a block of steel and quietness. The silence seemed to stretch forever before he finally said what Colin needed to hear. “I’m your father.” The statement was framed in disbelief that matched his dark and intense gaze. He angled his head, brows slanting and eyes tightening their aim on Colin. “You’re my son,” he added in a softer voice. “And I’m so sorry I didn’t know that.”

Colin fisted the Ziploc, crumpling it in his hand as he shook it twice in the air. “I gave up on you ever coming back,” he cried, nostrils red and flaring. “I gave up on everything.” His lower lip quivered as he tried to get the words out. “And now you’re just here. Just like that,” he whispered, sniffling. “It’s too late. It’s just too late.” Tears streamed down his face, and he lifted his arm and used his sleeve to scrub them from his cheeks, momentarily covering his eyes to keep them at bay.

“No, Colin. It’s not too late.” I sprung for him, but he walked backward, lifting his hand and holding the bag between us as a barrier. “He’s here now. You found him. And you saved that chair for him because you didn’t give up. A part of you never did.” I licked the salty tears at my lips, dying on the inside at not being able to hold him.

“Colin.” Constantine said his name with such conviction that it had the hairs on my arms standing.

I slowly turned to look at him, but he didn’t follow up with more after that.

Colin tossed the bag onto the counter and shoved his hands into his front jean pockets, shoulders hunched forward as he worked to pull himself together without allowing my help.

“There was something familiar about you in that garage. I heard a voice in my head telling me to take your wallet, and I thought I was losing my mind. But if I hadn’t . . .” He squeezed his eyes closed, shaking his head, sending fresh tears free at the movement. “You’re rich. Why’d you give a damn about tracking down your wallet? I don’t understand.”

He answered in a somber tone, “There was something inside my wallet I had to get back. Something irreplaceable. And while I didn’t hear a voice in the garage, I sure as hell felt something when I looked at you.”

His last words had Colin’s attention, and the emotion in his voice had a vise grip around my heart.

“I just . . .” Colin shook his head. “I need a minute.” He sniffled. “I’m gonna pack,” he said before taking off.

I started for him, but Constantine caught hold of me. He dropped his mouth over my ear. “Give him that minute,” he whispered before turning me around, hugging me the way I’d wanted to hug him.