Renegade Millionaire Read Online Free Page B

“Don’t trust appearances, mister. I can be downright mean when I have to be.”
    The ape snorted. “I bet you can be bad, too.” The skinny one let go a round of wheezing chuckles.
    Joanna slipped her hand inside her bag, then remembered she hadn’t replaced her pepper spray since she’d changed purses the other night. Turning toward the street only enough to keep the pair in her sights, she silently cursed her stupidity for not getting out of there at the first sign of trouble. Where was the darned bus?
    Joanna sensed movement, then felt the heavy weight of a huge arm draped around her neck, a hand rubbing her shoulder. Frozen by fear, she stiffened her frame and tried to plan what she should do next. Kick him in the groin and run back to the hospital? The parking lot stood between her and the main building. A big parking lot filled with only a few cars and probably fewer people.
    No, she wouldn’t run. She wouldn’t let them see her fear.
    With a sigh, she yanked the man’s arm from her shoulder and stepped to one side. “Look, I’m not interested in a beer, or a good time. I’m heading home to my husband who happens to be a cop. So if I were you, I’d keep my hands to myself before I drew back a nub.”
    â€œI’d do what the lady says, because if she doesn’t take care of you, I will.”
    Joanna looked from her harassers to Rio Madrid, standing behind the bench, his hands hidden away in the pockets of a black leather jacket, his eyes dark and intense. He looked predatory, ready to pounce.
    He came around the bench and put himself between Joanna and the strangers. “Move on, amigos. Find yourself some other woman.”
    The ragtag pair faced him. The big one was several inches taller than the doctor and looked just as threatening. “Maybe we don’t want another woman.”
    Rio wrapped one arm around Joanna in a protective embrace. She heard a click and realized someone had produced a knife or a switchblade. Her throat constricted, her body stiffened. Then she realized it was the doctor who had the weapon when the giant glanced at Rio’s hand that Joanna couldn’t see.
    The man backed off, looking paranoid. “Okay. Take her. She ain’t that great, anyway.” He turned away, his partner close on his heels muttering, “Crazy cop.”
    Rio braced his hands on Joanna’s shoulders and turned her to face him. “Are you okay?” he asked with concern.
    â€œI was handling them just fine.”
    â€œLooks to me like he was doing all the handling.”
    â€œI’m sure he’s harmless. He certainly couldn’t get away fast enough from you. Then again, maybe it was the knife.”
    Rio dropped his hands and produced the weapon in question from his jacket, snapping open the lengthy blade with a click. “I’ve had it since I was thirteen. It’s dull as dirt, but it looks like it could do some damage.” He retracted the blade and slipped it back into his pocket.
    â€œObviously it was convincing enough,” she said.
    â€œEither that, or he thinks I’m your husband working undercover. He probably has some pot stashed somewhere. So is it true?”
    Joanna couldn’t help but smile, mainly from relief. “He didn’t offer me any pot, just a walk on the wild side.”
    Rio’s smile came halfway, but was no less effective than a complete one. “I meant the thing about your husband being a cop.”
    â€œI’m divorced, and no, he wasn’t a cop.” He wasn’t much of anything. “Chances are my ex would’ve tried to pay those creeps to leave me alone, unless he decided to let them have me.” Joanna clamped her mouth shut. She couldn’t believe she’d said such a thing. Never had she talked so openly about Adam to anyone. She wasn’t inclined to let her bitterness show.
    The doctor streaked a hand over his scalp.