The Hitwoman and the Chubby Cherub Read Free

the same roof as me. "What are the dark flecks in it?" I asked awkwardly, desperate to change the topic of conversation.
     
    He chuckled softly, making it clear he knew exactly what I was doing. "Spinach."
     
    I frowned. "Why would you want to ruin a perfectly good smoothie by adding spinach?"
     
    "Can you taste it?"
     
    I sipped it again. "No," I admitted.
     
    "No harm, no foul," he said lightly. "Besides, it's good for you."
     
    "Thanks." I mock toasted him with the glass.
     
    "I have a message for you from my uncle," Angel said. "He invited you to come down to the hospital. Said he'd buy you some chocolate pudding. I figured that if he’s plying you with sugary treats, I should at least offset it by giving you the occasional vegetable."
     
    I concentrated on keeping my expression neutral. I knew that his mobster uncle wasn't really interested in feeding me. We usually discussed assassination jobs over bowls of chocolaty goodness in the hospital cafeteria.
     
    "Okay," I said lightly. "I'll go see him."
     
    Angel nodded. "He seems very fond of you."
     
    I shrugged. "I saved his grandson's life. Plus, for a while, we were going through the same thing, waiting for Katie and Dominic to wake up from their comas."
     
    "That must have been hard on you both. It makes sense you would've bonded."
     
    I nodded. "Katie and Dominic seemed to really hit it off too."
     
    "You want me to pick her up from school?"
     
    I glanced at the clock hanging on the wall. It was almost time to go get her. "No, I have time today."
     
    "Are you sure? You're looking awfully tired."
     
    "This will perk me right up," I said lifting the glass to my mouth.
     
    "I'm just worried about you," Angel said softly, his gaze roving over my face.
     
    "You're not alone, buddy," God said.
     
    I watched as Angel turned toward the squeaking, wondering what he was thinking, if he could tell God agreed with him.
     
    "I'm fine,” I told them both.
     
    But I wasn’t sure I convinced anyone. Including myself.
     

Chapter Three
     
    Before heading over to the hospital to meet with Delveccio, I picked up Katie from school.
     
    Because she was still recovering from her injuries, she only attended for half days. She was brought in right after school began, so that she wouldn’t be trampled by the herds of kids rushing to class, and she was picked up right after lunch so that she’d have a chance to socialize.
     
    To say the process hadn’t gone smoothly was an understatement. The paperwork to get her enrolled had been confusing, the meetings with teachers and school administrators had been challenging, and the other students had been less than welcoming. Not only was Katie the new kid, she was “weird” what with her balance issues and strange schedule.
     
    Most days Katie cried in the car before I dropped her off, but to her credit, she wiped away her tears before I walked her into the building and down the long hallway to her classroom.
     
    Every morning I’d kneel down, hand over her backpack, which was too heavy for her to carry the whole way, kiss her cheek, and whisper, “Have a good day, baby girl.”
     
    Then I’d open the door for her and watch her totter in, bag clutched to her chest, the other kids snickering as she made her way to her desk.
     
    And every day I’d return to the car and cry my own tears as my heart broke for her.
     
    Doctor Donna repeatedly assured me that we were doing the right thing forcing her to go to school, and logically I knew she was right, but part of me still worried that it was torture for Katie and I was doing more harm than good in insisting she attend.
     
    Picking her up went more smoothly. While her class was in the cafeteria for lunch, I’d go to the office and pick up her backpack.
     
    “Here you go,” the secretary said handing over the bag.
     
    “Thank you.” I glanced around looking for the mother who’d sent the invitation to help with the Valentine’s Day party. “Is Megan