But it was the deep frown set between her brows that had him wanting to get closer.
Something was wrong.
He dodged around tables and customers as he headed toward the door.
Since the day he’d first lain eyes on Raven, she’d ignited something wild and protective inside him.
He wasn’t sure why. He barely knew her. Maybe because he had sisters, and protecting others, particularly women, was ingrained in him. Or maybe it was just her.
After the river incident, he’d wanted to take her home and make sure she was okay.
She’d refused, insisting she was fine to get home by herself.
Before he could reach the door, Maureen stepped in front of him. “Connor, honey, how are you?”
“I’m good. I just need?—”
Maureen touched his arm. “I was meaning to tell you that I saw this bird.”
Connor frowned. “A bird?”
“Yes. It had these beautiful blue wings with yellow tips.” She shook her head. “I was too eager though. I thought I was moving slowly, but it was obviously still too fast for the poor thing, because the bird spooked and flew away.”
Why was she telling him this? “I’m sorry.”
“That’s life. Move too fast and skittish birds fly off. I learned my lesson though, next time I’ll move slower. The beautiful creature had probably been hurt before.” She patted his chest. “I’ll see you later.”
His frown deepened. Because what the hell wasthat?
He shook his head before stepping outside. And there she was. Raven stood with her back toward him, still hunched over her purse.
“Raven—”
She jumped and spun, coins flying everywhere. “Crap! Hi.”
He closed that last bit of distance between them. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
She rubbed her brow. “That’s okay. I’m fine, just…jumpy.”
That wasn’t just jumpy—that was fear. But what had instilled such fear was the question.
She lowered and started picking up the money and dropping it back into the purse.
He bent down and helped. “How have you been since everything?”
She froze, gaze rising. “Everything?”
“The stuff with Cox and Polly?”
“Oh. That.” She swallowed and grabbed another coin. “I’m fine. I think if I’d killed him, I’d belessfine. But he lived and he’s in jail. I’m glad Polly’s okay.”
They both reached for the last coin at the same time.
He grabbed it first, but their fingers grazed, and she sucked in a sharp breath.
Fuck, he felt it too. It was like electricity shooting up his arm. At just a touch.
“It’s okay to not be okay after shooting someone,” he said softly. “The first time I shot a person, I went into shock.”
