“I thought youwerethe bad guy.”
Too loud. Constantine’s voice could be way too loud, and it could carry entirely too far. “Would you lower your voice?” Remy rasped. “I do not want to be overheard.”
One eyebrow cocked. “By the granddaughter? You don’t want her to know…what, exactly?”
Only everything. And how the fuck had Constantine even known about Jacqueline? Alarm bells began to ring in Remy’s head.
“We worked to stop the bastard who killed your dad.” Constantine turned grim. He also lowered his voice. “We got your sister free and clear. Even had her settled in all nice and happily-ever-after like with that bodyguard of hers.”
Yes, they had done that. Iriswashappy and safe.
“Then the next thing I know, you’re gone.” He jabbed his index finger into Remy’s chest and completely ignored the gun Remy still held. “Friends don’t do that crap to friends.”
They did when they wereprotectinga friend. “You have no record. You are not wanted onanyoutstanding charges. Not for anything.”
Constantine’s brow crinkled. “I’m pretty sure someone is after me. Someoneusuallyis.”
Not any longer. “No, because your slate was erased. You were onlyintrouble because of me. So when the CIA came to me and said they had another deal…” Hell, everyone had been working deals with him. The Feds. The CIA. Even certain very well-placed criminals that he would not be discussing. “I took it. In exchange for doing a few more jobs, I made sure that you were erased from their system. They won’t be calling you in any longer. You don’t have to play their games.” A pause. “Their game or mine. You’re free.”
“Is that what I am?” Constantine’s gray eyes studied him.
“Yes.” A hiss. “Now can you get your ass out? I have company coming.”
“The kind of company you prefer to greet with a gun.”
“Dammit, you wereleft for deadbecause of me! If you hadn’t been wearing a bulletproof vest, you would have died. For years, you’ve been pulled into trouble over and over again because of your friendship with me.” Remy’s breath heaved out. “So, yes, Itriedto do the right thing for you. Getting me out ofyour life? That’s the right thing. Now, just…dammit, go, would you? Just—”
He heard the squeak of a stair. Instantly, he bolted around Constantine and flew back through the cabin. Stair number six squeaked. He knew, he’d made note of that fact the first time he’d climbed the stairs.
Did someone come in the front door while I was distracted by Constantine? Is someone trying to get Jacqueline?
“Stop!” Remy snarled as he burst onto the bottom of the stairs and aimed his weapon.
A sharp cry emerged from Jacqueline as she froze. Her eyes were huge. Her expression taut with fear. And she also had a gun in her hand.
“What the hell?” Remy immediately lowered his weapon. “You were supposed to be upstairs!” In the freaking closet where it was safer.
“I know.” A quick, breathless response. “But I heard voices, and I was worried you needed backup. I couldn’t leave you on your own.”
Yes, she could. He jumped up the steps. “I’m the one with experience. You’re the one who has never held a gun until today. That meansyoustay hidden. I’ll do the fighting.”
“I just don’t want you hurt. I pulled you into this mess, and I bet you wish that you’d never seen me step into that bar—”
A low whistle. One that came from the bottom of the stairs.
Hell.
He looked back—and down. Remy knew Jacqueline’s gaze also flew to the source of the whistle.
Constantine gave a casual wave. “Hi, there. I’m Constantine, and, please, let me assure you, I think that is the last thing he wishes.” His gaze took her in—and the fact thatJacqueline was wearing jogging shorts and a loose t-shirt. Items she’d probably scavenged from the closet after Remy had, ah, ripped the others. The shorts were super short and displayed her toned legs to perfection, and the thin top clearly showed the tight outline of her nipples.
Remy shifted to block Constantine’s view.
“Is he one of the bad guys?” Jacqueline asked softly.
Not softly enough. That single eyebrow of Constantine’s quirked again. “Aren’t we all?”
Remy started to speak.