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

anything dangerous in the man’s past. “He saved four lives today, and we’re treating him like he’s the criminal. That’s just wrong, Sean.”
    Sean’s vision of right and wrong was a blurred gray line. “So, you’re just going to let the whole thing go?”
    “Not exactly. I have a plan.”
    Sean tilted his head. “Tell me more.”

CHAPTER NINE
    Headlights swept across the living room as the Mercedes pulled into the driveway. Curled on the sofa next to Sarah, Bandit raised his head. A low growl rumbled from his throat.
    “Shh.” She set her novel on the coffee table and put a hand on his muzzle. “Don’t wake the girls.”
    She carried the dog to the door and peered through the peephole. Cristan stood on the stoop. She opened the door and moved back to let him in. Bandit’s tail swept in a frenzied arc. As cool as Cristan acted with adults, he’d neatly charmed her children and dog.
    “I’m sorry it’s so late.” Cristan stepped across the threshold, one hand reaching out to stroke the dog’s head.
    “It’s fine. Lucia fell asleep on Alex’s trundle.” Sarah lowered the dog to the floor. Her eyes swept over Cristan. His clothes were fresh and his hair damp, as if he’d just showered. But she saw no injuries. “I saw the robbery on the news. You disarmed two gunmen.”
    Cristan grimaced. “I surprised them.”
    “I’ll bet.” Sarah studied his face. The coolness he’d shown her earlier this evening seemed to have evaporated. She knew he was in his late thirties, but the fit cut of his body usually made him appear younger. Not tonight, though. Lines seemed to have cropped up on his face in a matter of hours. According to the news report, he’d saved several people in the robbery, including one of Sarah’s neighbors and her little girl. He’d escaped physical injury, but his heroic act had obviously cost him.
    “You look exhausted. Have you eaten?”
    “No.” He opened his mouth to decline any offer.
    She didn’t give him the chance. “Let me heat something up for you.” She turned and walked toward the kitchen. He stood in the doorway for a few seconds, and she wondered if he was going to follow her or simply take his daughter and leave. But he closed and locked the front door and then followed her into the kitchen. He draped his coat over the short back of a stool, sat, and leaned his forearms on the counter.
    Sarah went to the refrigerator. “I have some leftover pasta.”
    “Thank you. I’m suddenly very hungry.”
    “I imagine you are. It’s after eleven.” She heated the container in the microwave and then scooped the hot pasta and vegetables into a bowl. “I’m sorry there’s no meat. The girls like simple food.”
    “I’m sure it’ll be wonderful.”
    “Do you want to talk about it?” She shaved some fresh Parmesan onto the pasta and wiped the edges of the bowl before setting the dish in front of him.
    “No.”
    Not a surprise.
    He picked up his fork and froze. “Did the news show a video?”
    “They did.” Though she’d always sensed he was capable of violence, the speed and efficiency of his response had shocked her.
    “How clear was the video?” he asked.
    “It was pretty grainy. I could only tell it was you because I know you.”
    “The whole town will know it was me by morning.”
    “That would have happened with or without a video. It’s hard to keep a secret in this town.”
    “This is true. My face was blurry?” At her nod, he dug his fork into the pasta.
    Sarah filled a glass with water and set it at his elbow, then busied herself washing the container, giving Cristan time to eat in peace. He ate with efficiency then pushed the bowl away, and Sarah was pleased to see he didn’t look quite as spent. She expected him to dine and dash, but he lingered.
    “Can I make you some coffee?” she asked over her shoulder as she dried the container with a dishcloth.
    “No.” He got up and brought his bowl to the sink. Leaning over her shoulder, he