See? This is the kind of woman they want me to spy on.
Could I spy on the Crossbows for the sake of my daughter? Because I couldn’t do it for the greater good of the world. I couldn’t do it for myself either. My moral compass isn’t that pure. And I’m too pissed off with the cops right now. They’re using me.
But I’m too afraid to tell Connor because he’s unpredictable. He’s…he’s Connor.
“How is Hanna?” I ask.
“Fine. It’s just the two of us. The boys left right after you did.”
“I’m on my way back. Do you need me to pick up anything?”
“Yes, now that you ask. Noodles. Thin ones. I’ll send the picture of the package I want. You can get them anywhere.”
“What are you making?”
“Orange chicken and noodles.”
My belly growls. “See you soon.”
I grab my getaway diaper bag and sling it over my shoulder, then leave the apartment, never to return. I’ve saved up for this. I just need to get my baby and pretend like everything is fine when I leave the Crossbow house tonight. I couldn’t spy on Dina any more than I could betray my family. I will run.
Chapter 29
Renne
Dina is an excellent cook. I’ve had her orange chicken and noodles before, and tonight, they taste even better than I remember. Except, I can’t eat much.
I’m sick to my stomach. I’m full of regret, guilt, and sadness that after dinner, I will leave this woman who has loved me so unconditionally for the past year. She made my life so much better. If it weren’t for Dina, I don’t think I would have made it. Let’s be honest. I was a mess.
I’m still a damn mess.
Trouble is that if I don’t eat, she’ll know something’s amiss. Even if I do, Dina will know something is wrong because she’s perceptive. She’s one of those empaths who sense things about other people even before the people realize what they’re feeling.
That natural talent of hers is probably how she’s in a relationship with Declan Crossbow, who scares the bejesus out of me. Connor is playful and funny, even when he’s terrifying.
I’m going to miss them all.
Hanna missed me today. Ever since I came back, she’s clung to me. At the dinner table, she sits on my lap while the otherthree people eat quietly. All five of us occupy the same space, which should feel normal. I’m uncomfortable.
Uncomfortable, because they don’t know they’re sharing a meal with a traitor.
The man I ran from is Connor’s uncle? Gosh, it doesn’t get any worse. I hate that the people who should’ve protected me pushed me into this even more.
The audacity of the agent to call me back and tell me he thought I knew that Cassian Macarley is Connor Crossbow’s uncle. Why the fuck would I know that? It’s not common knowledge.
Hanna stands on my lap. Over my daughter’s shoulder, I shove the noodles into my mouth. She turns, grabs a noodle, and puts it in her mouth. The slippery pasta ends up on her shirt while those blue eyes stare at me.
She and Connor have the exact same eye color and shape. I’ll never be able to look at her and not think about him.
“Did you get anything done today?” Declan asks Dina.
“Not much.”
“My fault,” I tell him. “I crashed at my apartment.”
“There’s tomorrow,” Dina says.
I can’t tell her that we won’t see each other tomorrow.