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EPILOGUE
CONSTANTINE
Two weeks later
I pullthe engagement ring out of my back pocket and run my finger over the sparkling diamond. I blow out a breath, unable to believe it's happening. In less than an hour, I'll drop to my knees and ask Arlo to marry me.
I shake my head in amusement as I study the ring in the glistening light. It's in the shape of a spaceship with tiny sapphire stars on the side. I ordered it from the most expensive jeweler in Manhattan, and Arlo will love it.
I can't believe Arlo wants to marry me.
The gods must've taken pity on me, but I don't know why. I must've been a spider in a past life who let a struggling fly out of his web. I can't think of any other reason I deserve this angel.
I slide the ring into my back pocket and look at Arlo in his alien t-shirt. We're at the Rainbow Youth shelter where Gianluca volunteers in Manhattan, serving meals to people in need. When I told Arlo this is where Gianluca and I were meeting to discuss his medication, Arlo demanded to go with me.
"I've dealt with a lot of trouble in my life, Daddy. Any one of these boys or girls could be me. If I can help one person, it'll be worth it."
Arlo has the sweetest heart. That's why I adore him.
I walk over to Arlo and place my palm on his lower back. "You look amazing, boy."
Arlo blushes as he turns to me and kisses my chest. "I'm blessed to know you, Daddy. These boys and girls don't have a protector to fight for them, so I must give back any way I can."
If anyone told me the adorable boy who tripped over the racecar at the Little Bunny Club had a heart of gold, I would've demanded proof. I'd need evidence they weren't like Carlos. But with every passing day, I see Arlo's kind soul more and more. He doesn't need to prove his goodness to anyone. I know who he is inside.
I squeeze Arlo's waist, then pull him flush with me. "Daddy likes to see you serve meals." I kiss his temple. "You're such a sweet boy."
Arlo grins. "I like serving people. Helps me connect with people who come from similar backgrounds."
He gestures to the youth lining up outside of the shelter. "Look at these boys, Daddy. If I'd never gone to the Little Bunny Club that night, I could be out there with them."
"I know, angel."
Arlo sniffles. "I'd still be praying that the wind would blow me away." He hugs me. "Instead, I have you in my life, Daddy. The most amazing man ever. You rescued me."
My heart swells as Arlo's words flood me with warmth. This hits me in my heart. Arlo shows so much gratitude for the gifts I've given him, and I love providing for him.
I mean, come on. Today's our thirty day anniversary. We could be anywhere in New York—a fine steakhouse, Little Land, or the Little Bunny Club—yet Arlo prefers to spend his time helping the less fortunate.
Appreciation for this angel wells up within me. One month ago, I was in a meeting at my country club to get info on the Diavolo brothers with a French billionaire. I wasn't thinking about a relationship because my previous one debilitated me.
(If you count watchingThe Proposalten times debilitating, which I absolutely do. For God's sake, you can only watch Betty White fake a heart attack so many times before it becomes cloying.)
Arlo changed everything. He lit up the nurturer in me and helped me become myself again. He made my rendezvous with my ex-boyfriend feel like a bad dream and showed me what love meant.
With every passing day, my heart opens up more for this sweet boy. Before, I was an ice-cold hitman who refused to let love in. Now, I'm the happiest man in New York City.
My mind travels back over my wonderful activities with Arlo. Two weeks ago, I took him to see his mother in Queens. She was turning tricks in the street for drug money, but Arlo encouraged her to meet with me. I introduced myself as Arlo's partner and offered her a deal.
"Your son loves you very much, ma'am. He wants to check you into a state-of-the-art rehab facility."
Arlo's mother's jaw dropped. "Arlo doesn't have money for that. I can barely afford to provide for him as it is."
Arlo took his mother's hand in his own. "Don't worry, Mama. Constantine has money to help you. He knows I want to see you get better, and this is a free gift."
The rehab facility that I chose is costly, but that didn't matter. Arlo's mother agreed to check herself in that very day. I wrote a check for two hundred thousand dollars to cover her expenses for the next year.
Many short-term rehabilitation facilities don't work because the patients aren't in there long enough to break their drug habit. Arlo's mother will be in rehab far longer than necessary to ensure that she receives long-term psychiatric care to break her addiction.
