She Can Kill (She Can Series) by Melinda Leigh Read Free Book Online

shoved the manager toward a register on the opposite counter. The manager stumbled and went down, landing in an awkward sprawl like a newborn colt.
    “Get it done in ten seconds or I splatter junior’s brains all over the floor.” Behind the counter, Blue Eyes slapped the clerk on the side of the head. This man wasn’t burdened by a conscience. If he was looking for a simple job and some quick cash, the only thing keeping him from pulling his trigger was the dislike of complication.
    The manager scrambled to his knees, then pushed to his feet. Red Shirt followed him behind the counter.
    Cristan sized up the clerk and manager. Both were familiar from his previous visits to the store. Neither seemed like the sort who would try anything foolish. The best possible outcome was for the robbers to take the money and run without injuring anyone. These two thugs were small time. No intelligent criminal would risk prison for the few hundred dollars in a couple of register drawers. The majority of the cash would be kept in a drop safe.
    The manager flipped through keys with shaking fingers. It took three stabs at the lock before he managed to open the register drawer. By the time he got it, his face and scalp shone with perspiration. Red Shirt shoved him aside and emptied the drawer into a brown paper bag. “Next open the safe.”
    “I-I can’t,” the manager said.
    “Bullshit,” said Red Shirt. Then he directed his attention to Cristan.
    “You.” He flicked the muzzle of the gun. “Empty your pockets.”
    Cristan carefully slid two fingers into the chest pocket of his wool coat. There was nothing in his wallet that could not be replaced. Nothing that warranted risking his life to keep. He wanted no trouble. If anything happened to him, Lucia would be alone in this world. She had no family. She didn’t even know her real name.
    He withdrew his wallet. Red Shirt extended the paper bag, and Cristan dropped his leather billfold into it.
    “Gimme your purse, lady.” Red Shirt flexed his fingers twice.
    Still holding the toddler on her hip, Kenzie dropped her quart of milk and shrugged the strap of the handbag off her shoulder. Cristan took the bag from her and handed it to the robber so she wouldn’t have to get any closer.
    “Thanks for doing business.” Red Shirt turned toward the exit. Behind the counter, Blue Eyes paused to grab a handful of Power Bars from a display. He shoved them into his bag.
    One more minute and it would be over. Cristan breathed.
    Then Red Shirt stopped. His expression narrowed as he focused on Kenzie. “You. Come here.”
    A fresh wave of anger slid into Cristan’s throat.
    “Please. Don’t,” Kenzie begged.
    The man moved closer. He pointed the gun at the child. “I said come here.”
    Kenzie took a faltering step toward him, twisting her body to turn the child away from the danger. “Just leave my baby alone. I’ll do whatever you want.”
    He lowered the gun. “Then put the kid down. You’re coming with me.”
    Kenzie tried to lower the little girl to the floor. Holding on to her mother’s neck with a desperate grip, the child shrieked. Tears poured down her face, bright pink with terror.
    “Shut her up!” Red Shirt demanded, aiming at the child again.
    Kenzie shushed and soothed the child, while angling to cover the toddler with her own body.
    “Why don’t you take the money and go?” Cristan reasoned. “If you are quick, you might get away before the authorities arrive.”
    The gunman spun, took two steps, and pointed the gun directly in Cristan’s face. “What the fuck did you say?”
    Cristan stared down the barrel, his relief that the weapon was no longer aimed at the child short lived. His interference could orphan his daughter. But what else could he do? A man simply did not allow women or children to be harmed. He attempted to deflate the robber’s anger. The best outcome for all was still a nonviolent one. “A woman will slow you down.”
    “Forget the girl,