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

second.”
    Cristan lowered the gun. The men were long gone. “Kenzie, are you all right?”
    She emerged from behind a low refrigerated case, where she’d been crouching. Pale faced and shaking, she clutched the sobbing toddler to her chest and babbled, “Thank you. Yes. Thank you.”
    Cristan surveyed his clothes. Blood from the robber’s nose spotted his jeans, sweater, and wool coat.
    He should run, before the police arrived. He could swing by the house, change his clothes, and grab the go-bags. He could pick up Lucia and disappear. Their flight plan was well planned and well funded. He didn’t need to take the risk of being exposed.
    So, why was he still here?
    Sirens approached. A moment later, police cars pulled up and lights pulsed in the store, and Cristan’s chance to flee had passed.
    He set the gun on the ground at his feet and lifted his hands to shoulder height as police officers rushed into the store, guns drawn. The manager explained the situation. Cops swept the store and called for an ambulance.
    Cristan went outside and dropped to sit on the curb. The enormity of the day’s events washed over him. What was he going to do?
    “Are you injured?” A policeman stepped off the concrete apron and scanned Cristan’s body.
    “No. It isn’t my blood.” He shook his head. His head and stom ach reeled with the flux of adrenaline. He breathed through it. He might be out of practice, but this was hardly the first time he had committed an act of violence. But today, the aftermath felt different, as if it was no longer a purely physical reaction. Relief—and fear—swirled in his chest. How would he keep a low profile after this?
    “What happened?” the cop asked.
    Cristan kept his story simple.
    “I’ll need you to come to the station.” The cop studied Cristan’s face, as if deciding if he was being truthful. “We’ll need a more detailed statement.”
    “Of course,” Cristan said. But as he stared down at his blood-spattered clothes, one question consumed his mind. What now? The quiet life he’d built had come to an end, but that was the risk with basing one’s existence on an elaborate deception. The robbery would draw attention from the police and media, and he needed to avoid scrutiny.
    How would he handle Lucia? She’d be upset by today’s incident. How would his daughter react if she knew the truth? That her mother hadn’t died in an automobile accident. The thought of Lucia discovering her true heritage gave him nightmares. He could never tell her. The knowledge would put her at risk—and inspire her anger. He would rather die than lose her love, even if it had been gained in fraud.
    No. Lucia would never forgive him if he told her that one week from today marked the twelfth anniversary of her mother’s execution.

CHAPTER SIX
    The forearm around her throat was gentle, but Sarah couldn’t breathe.
    He’s barely touching you.
    “Relax, Sarah,” Brooke Davenport, her self-defense instructor, said in a calm voice. “You know Luke. He won’t hurt you.”
    Luke Holloway, Brooke’s man-friend and Internet security consultant, had played the role of attacker in the three previous classes. Sarah knew Luke. Her sister’s neighbor, Mrs. Holloway, was his grandmother. Sarah had no reason to be afraid of him. She even knew exactly what he was going to do, yet every time he touched her, she froze. His body was huge behind her. Well over six feet tall, he towered over her. The padded training suit he wore for protection added bulk to his lean frame.
    She had no difficulty practicing when she was paired up with another female student, but that wasn’t very helpful. Women rarely attacked other women.
    “You know what to do.” Brooke stood in front of her, her kind brown eyes serious. “Come on, Sarah. I know you can do this.”
    Blood rushed in her ears, and Brooke’s face spun. Despite the chilly air in the community center, sweat dripped down her back and soaked her T-shirt. “I