Killing Fear by Allison Brennan Read Free Book Online Page A

time he looked at the picture he saw something different, felt something more. And remembered his failings.
    The Solano Gun Mart was only a few minutes from downtown. When Will stepped through the doors, the scent of gunpowder and cleaning solvent mixed with metal was pervasive. Turning to the right, he looked through the windows and saw Robin at the far end of the range, her back to him. An older man—trim, six foot, graying dark hair—was also watching her. She was running through a standard target—near, close, and far—and doing a damn fine job of hitting the bull’s-eye.
    His chest tightened, but he didn’t want to examine his feelings too closely. To say Robin was a good-looking woman was an understatement. Tall, curvy, with legs that went up and up, she could dress in a burlap sack and still stop traffic. She’d pulled her long, thick, dark red hair into a wavy ponytail, her high cheekbones cut sharply across her face. Long, elegant nose; full, lush lips; a slender, delicate neck.
    But Robin McKenna was not delicate. She had a core of steel and an attitude to match. Everything she did, she did with passion. She loved passionately and hated passionately.
    Will knew. He’d been on the receiving end of both.
    Seeing her now, he knew he wasn’t ready to talk. His mouth was dry and all he wanted to do was drop to his knees and apologize for how much he’d hurt her.
    There was no going back.
    Dear Lord, how he wanted to. He wanted to hold her, to take her back to his bed, to make love to her and be made love to. Seeing her brought back every memory and emotion and hope and fear.
    The door opened and the rangemaster stepped out. “Can I help you?”
    Will needed time to stamp out this reaction and put some distance between his feelings and his job. Just a few minutes. The assistant manager at her club had told Will that Robin would be back there at noon, he’d see her then.
    “Just checking out this place. I haven’t been here before.”
    The owner looked him up and down. “A lot of cops shoot here. I run a clean place. I had twelve years on the job before I went out on disability.”
    His limp was slight but evident as he walked around the counter.
    “I’m sure you do.” Will extended his hand. “Detective William Hooper, SDPD.”
    “Hank Solano. Rampart Precinct, L.A.”
    “What happened?”
    “Six bullets in a gang shooting. Fortunately the kid was a lousy shot and missed all major organs. But my left knee’s all plastic and metal now.”
    “Who’s the girl?”
    Hank didn’t take his eyes off Will. “You tell me.” His casual stance as he eased onto a stool belied his probing stare.
    Will gave a half smile. “I heard she was here. I need to give her some bad news.”
    “You think she doesn’t know that bastard escaped from prison?”
    “Good point.” He especially didn’t want to talk to Robin with an audience. He needed to regroup, to harden his heart.
    “Has he been spotted in town?” Hank asked. He didn’t have to say Glenn’s name for Will to know who he meant.
    “Not yet.”
    “I trained her myself. She’s a good shot.”
    “I can see that.” And that saddened Will on many levels.
    “Why don’t I introduce you to her? Might make any other news—or lack thereof—easier on the girl. She’s been through hell.”
    “I know.” He stared at the man. “I arrested Theodore Glenn.”
    Suddenly, Hank’s face hardened. What had Robin told him? Was Robin involved with this guy? Emotionally? Physically? A streak of jealousy ran through Will, and he squelched it. He had no claims on Robin. Not anymore. Maybe not even seven years ago.
    “Why don’t we just pretend you never stopped by?” Hank Solano said, his voice low and vibrating with a restrained anger.
    “Good idea.” Will started for the door.
    Hank had the last word.
    “Find that bastard, then stay the hell out of her life.”

 
    FIVE
    “Mom, please be careful,” Sherry said to her mother over the phone as she