“Makes sense.” I waited for him to look at me before continuing. “He may bounce back and forth between shock, denial, anger, and happiness. Don’t take offense if he’s ever on the angry side, please. He’s just processing, too.”

“Understandable.” He lightly nodded, then patted the doorframe twice as if about to leave. “Juliette?”

“Yeah?”

“You should know that if the situation at the rave hadn’t happened, I’d have come up with another excuse to have him here with me.”

“Oh.” I was so drawn to the man that I hadn’t even realized I’d closed the space between us and was now standing before him. “Well, you should know you wouldn’t have needed an excuse to have him here with you.” As steadily and earnestly as possible, so he’d accept my words as the gospel truth, I added, “I’ll never keep him from you.”

He squeezed his eyes closed and murmured, “I hope you still feel that way after you know more about me.”

16. Juliette

Chapter 16

Juliette

Of all the what-ifs I’d imagined over the years, never once had one of them been, What if my son’s father isn’t someone I’d want Colin to know?

But now, Constantine’s parting words before slipping from my bedroom had created a new what-if. What if he had deep, dark secrets that were dangerous to my son? What would I do then? How would I handle that?

My gut, my heart, my everything told me Constantine belonged in Colin’s life no matter what. So, to hell with the deep and dark. If I had to, when the time was right, I’d help bring his secrets into the light and pour love over them and him.

After an hour, I gave up on sleeping, unable to do so even in a bed I wished I could believe had been waiting for me for seventeen years.

I tossed the pretty comforter aside and changed from my pajamas into a loose-fitting tee and black leggings. I’d already taken a quick shower after Constantine left the room. I’d never get into any bed, especially not as perfect as this one, after being at the hospital without showering first.

I started for the door, deciding to see if Colin had fallen asleep, when I remembered I’d left Easton hanging via text after nearly getting run over by a bus.

Grabbing my phone from my purse, I realized it was still on silent from being at work. I opened my messages, and yup, three missed calls and four well-deserved shouty texts.

Easton: Why aren’t you texting back? I’m calling now!

Easton: I keep getting your voicemail. Now I’m really worried!

Easton: Calling Colin now. (Next up: the National Guard.)