Protector Read Online Free PDF Page B

just been conning her as a way to spend time with her and get close to the boss’s daughter. Reluctantly, she looked into his eyes. Rather than surprise, she found— admiration.
    “Well, Jolynn, I bet it starts now.”
    Sure enough, the Maserati purred to life. “Thanks any way.”
    “No problem.”
    Envisioning their next encounter, she imagined her blackjack dealer toppling his table as a shield against the Amazon threatening him with a socket wrench. But damn it, she’d had to learn to take care of herself. She’d had no choice in a world where even her own uncle wasn’t safe. She needed to leave now.
    Charles glanced at his watch and frowned.
    “Is something wrong?” Why couldn’t she just go?
    Charles rubbed his hand along his jaw. “Hey, why don’t I go with you to the hospital? It’s late, and while you’re an undeniably capable lady around an engine, a dark hospital parking lot isn’t the safest place to be alone.” His face dimpled into a smile. “Please, don’t deny me my life’s dream of riding in a Maserati convertible with a redheaded lady mechanic.”
    Panic pattered in her gut. She should tell him no. But then just as she’d avoided her father, turning down this man’s polite and logical request to accompany her late at night in a foreign town… it just wouldn’t make sense.
    She eyed him, eyed the car. Why not? Lucy had already given him her stamp of approval. Compared to the risk in coming home, how dangerous could a short ride be through the heart of Genoa with Charles? “Get in.”
    *  *  *
     
    Relief slammed through Chuck harder than the closing door.
    Thank God he wouldn’t have to scrounge for more excuses to accompany her, or worse yet, follow her and risk being made. But he needed to be sure nothing more came of that brush with the Brit.
    And no way in hell could he pass up a chance for a face-to-face with her father. A meet with the mob boss could be good for their operation.
    He rubbed a hand along the kink in his neck, still strung tight from his near-confrontation with the guy who’d very likely tampered with her car, a guy who’d been close to her more than once on the cruise ship. “Is it okay if I store my backpack in the trunk?”
    “Go ahead.” She passed him the clunky key chain.
    “I’ll be right back.” He stowed his bag.
    He’d thought he could keep her at the ship by not fixing her car— ironicas hell since he specialized in testing military jets and weaponry for a living. Or rather he had… Before…
    Who would have thought Jolynn could tell a distributor wire from a battery cable? Chuck couldn’t suppress a smile remembering her chagrined expression after reconnecting the distributor.
    His smile faded. A wilting flower wouldn’t be as tempting.
    He had more important concerns. His cursory inspection of the undercarriage and engine hadn’t uncovered any sign of explosives. The last thing he needed was to explain away a brick of C-4. Nothing more could be done except to stick with her and make sure she got to and from the hospital in one piece.
    “All set.” Chuck eased into his seat, “accidentally” knocking her purse to spill on the floor. “Sorry about that.”
    Leaning forward, he checked under the dash for as long as he dared. The bumbling facade made a decent cover at times, but he hated acting the fool in front of such a competent woman.
    Be honest with yourself, Tanaka.
That she was an
attractive
, competent woman made the pinch to his ego all the more uncomfortable.
    Not that he planned to pursue her.
    “Here you go.” Chuck stuffed the contents back in her bag.
    “Thanks.”
    Jolynn’s fingers brushed against his oversensitive palm. Her obvious awareness of the moment bothered him. The jolt of her touch bothered him even more. Damn.
    His body didn’t seem to care she wasn’t his type. But then his body had betrayed him before.
    *  *  *
     
    Jolynn wrestled with guilt during the drive to the rehab center in the forested