Free Good Girl Gone Plaid by Shelli Stevens Page B

for six years now and was starting to be well respected on the island. Some people might still whisper about his criminal record, but more overlooked it and accepted him.
    Curt hadn’t shown his face around here in nearly two years, and Ian had started to hope the other man had moved on. But here he was now, trying to pick up with business as usual.
    “Nothing personal, MacGregor, but I think I’m going to pass.”
    Curt’s grin hardened and dismay flickered in his eyes.
    “What are you saying?”
    Shite, there’d be no getting around it. “It’s exactly how you pointed out. My garage is doing well, and I’m not sure I can be…” he paused and met Curt’s gaze head on without flinching, “…doing business with you anymore.”
    “Too good for me now, huh?” Curt gave a harsh, disbelieving laugh and smoothed a hand over his bald head.
    A light, quick knock sounded on the door and Ian welcomed the interruption. He moved past Curt to open it.
    Sarah stood on the other side. Her face was still slightly flushed, but she appeared a little more composed now. Even if she wouldn’t look him in the eye.
    She cleared her throat. “I forgot my purse.”
    Ian hid a smile. How far had she gotten before she’d realized? Had she even left the garage?
    “This it?”
    Ian and Sarah both glanced at Curt, and the strap of a black purse he swung around a beefy finger.
    “Oh. Yes, thanks.” Sarah hesitated, before stepping forward to retrieve it.
    But Curt didn’t immediately let go, instead seemed to run an analytic glance over Sarah for a moment before relinquishing the purse.
    “You’re welcome, gorgeous.”
    Ian picked up immediately on the sudden tension in Sarah’s stance and the flicker of discomfort across her face.
    She glanced at Ian and there was wariness in her eyes now, but she didn’t say anything. Instead, with a small nod at them both, she disappeared again.
    “Isn’t she a pretty little thing?”
    Curt’s light tone didn’t fool Ian for a minute, and he swore silently.
    “She a friend of yours?”
    “Don’t know if I’d call her a friend. Old acquaintance really.” He ground his teeth together and tried to keep his expression casual. He didn’t want to give Curt any indication of how he really felt about Sarah.
    Hell, not like he even really knew. He only knew he wanted to be buried inside her again, and that he’d never intentionally put her in harm’s way. The fact that their parting had been bitter and painful was irrelevant.
    He’d always kept Curt away from his family. Away from anyone who was important to him, because he wasn’t all that sure he trusted the other man anymore. The brief world they’d shared while serving time didn’t mix well into his current one.
    “You should probably go, Curt.”
    Curt’s attention whipped back to Ian. “I’m broke, bro. You need to help me out here.”
    “I can’t do it anymore. I can’t take that risk. This isn’t just about me. I’ve got employees with families. I’m done.”
    “Fine. No problem.” Curt stared at him for a moment and then cocked his head. “You know, that lady in here really was pretty cute. Maybe I should hang out on the island more. Get to know her.”
    Like hell . The son of a bitch was making a threat. A veiled one, but it was just as troubling. Curt had other friends too. Scary ones.
    Flexing his jaw, Ian took a step toward the man he’d once considered such a close friend. It’d been an illusion. At the time he’d done what he’d had to do to survive.
    “One last time, MacGregor. Come back after closing with the parts and I’ll give you cash.” He lowered his voice, not holding his punches. “But we’re done after this, got it? You walk out of here tonight, and you’re gone. You go do your own thing, and you stay away from the island.”
    Curt gave a slow nod, his eyes alight with realization. Shite, whether he’d meant to or not, Ian had tipped his hand at showing Sarah was off limits. A weak spot