Page 38 of A Match Made in Coven
She pulled her door shut and started the engine. The vehicle vibrated under her as if echoing her desire to flee this disaster. Sarah Michelle put the car into gear and drove away, not sparing the man she was leaving behind another look—she was afraid of what it’d do to her heart.
Chapter Twenty-one
Real Estate and Real Annoyances
SARAH MICHELLE
At the police station, Sarah Michelle rapped her knuckles against the wood of Malatesta’s door, a cardboard box brimming with files on the Preston case balanced precariously in her arms. The harsh fluorescent lights overhead cast a sterile glow on the worn linoleum floors, the constant hum of the station’s activity buzzing in the background.
“Come in,” a deep voice called from inside.
She took a breath and walked into the office. Donatello Malatesta peered up from his desk, clicking his tongue as his gaze landed on her.
The fluorescent lights softened as they fell upon his features, highlighting the firm lines of his Mediterranean profile. His dark, wavy hair was tousled as if he’d been running his fingers through it in concentration. The sleeves of his crisp white shirt were rolled up to his elbows, revealing tanned, muscular forearms that spoke of an athletic build under his professional attire.
“Ah, it’s you.” His dark eyes flashed with curiosity. “Rough day?”
As he stood to greet her, he towered over her, his tall frame exuding an air of quiet strength. The shadow of stubble along his strong jawline gave him a rugged edge that contrasted with his otherwise polished appearance.
She was distracted by how well his broad shoulders filled out his shirt, the leather straps of his chest holster cutting crisp lines across the muscles under, emphasizing the sculpted contours of his upper body.
Averting her eyes, before he caught her staring, Sarah Michelle dropped the heavy box on his desk with a thud. “It’s already been cursed enough, Malatesta, so please don’t gloat,” she replied in a curt tone that reflected her frayed nerves.
“I wasn’t about to.”
They studied one another, sizing each other up. But uncharacteristically, Sarah Michelle lowered her gaze first, fixating on his cluttered but organized desk.
After a beat of tense silence, Donatello leaned forward, his deep brown eyes probing yet sincere. “So, how do you want to do this?”
Sarah Michelle furrowed her brow. “Do what? You need a recap of where I’m at with the case before you take over?” She fought to keep the bitterness from her voice.
He shook his head, a few strands of dark hair falling across his forehead. “No, that’s not what I meant. Look, no matter what the boss says, if it were me, I’d still want to see the investigation through. Catch the killer myself, right?”
He sounded sincere, but Sarah Michelle wasn’t sure what angle he was playing. She studied his chiseled features to read between the lines. Suspicion mingled with uncertainty as she waited for him to lay his cards on the table.
Donatello’s strong jawline was set with determination as he made his offer. “Here’s the deal. We collaborate on this case, under the radar. I keep you fully looped in.” His dark eyes held hers. “The chief doesn’t need to know.”
Sarah Michelle bristled.
So that’s his game.
He wanted her to do the grunt work while he swooped in to take the credit. Typical. They weren’t exactly friends, and Malatesta had a bit of a reputation for being a grade-A jinxweasel.
As if reading her thoughts, Donatello held up a hand. “I know what you’re thinking, but this isn’t about me stealing the credit without doing the heavy lifting. We work this together as equal partners. Your involvement stays on the down low for now.” His gaze never wavered. He seemed sincere. “Then, once we catch the killer, we both present to Riley. You have to give the chief a chance to cool off, get the Intermixing Department off his back about that bar hexstorm.” A small smirk played at the corner of his mouth. “Trust me, I’ve got no interest in poaching cases from talented colleagues. I’m not an ass.”
Sarah Michelle blinked in surprise, impressed despite herself.
Well, well. There’s more to Malatesta than meets the eye.
She smiled, accepting his offer. The moment she did, a wave of relief washed over Sarah Michelle. Until now, she hadn’t even realized how much she wanted to be the one to solve the case. The tension in her shoulders eased like a tightly wound spring finally allowed to uncoil.
“I… appreciate that.”
The corners of Donatello’s eyes crinkled as he smiled. It transformed his face, making him look younger and more approachable. “So, partners?” He extended his hand across the desk.
Sarah Michelle shook it. “Partners.”
***
