Wild Read Free

that whistled by their cheek made them see the light.
    But sometimes there were cases when a lesson had to be taught and a gunshot would cause too many questions. When she didn’t want the law involved, she resorted to hand-to-hand combat. There were ways of hurting people without leaving a bruise.
    Try going to the cops with the claim that sweet little me beat the hell out of you with no proof.
    It was her jujitsu training mixed in with dirty street fighting that she employed when she heard the steps rushing from behind. Before the unknown person could reach her, she whirled and took in a glimpse of the situation—guy in a navy blue hoodie brandishing a knife.
    Piece of cake—the chocolate kind, drizzled with rum, whipped cream, and a dab of cherry sauce.
    Mmm. How long since she’d eaten? She’d figure that out after she took care of the ill-advised mugger.
    â€œGive me your purse, bitch!”
    â€œHow about I give you a lesson in attacking women instead?” she snapped back. The idiot rushed in with no finesse, relying on his puny knife. A knife he couldn’t hold on to when she kicked his hand, sending it spinning to clatter somewhere behind him. But she wasn’t done. Lunging forward, she snared his wrist, yanked him toward her, and head-butted him in the nose. His high-pitched scream made her smile in grim satisfaction, but he hadn’t yet learned his lesson.
    Down came her foot, stomping the top of his with as much force as she could muster. Then she wrapped an arm around his neck to yank him down and kneed him a few times in the midsection.
    The screaming went to hiccupping sobs and gasps for, “Mercy. Sorry. I won’t do it again.”
    â€œDamned right you won’t,” she snarled, giving him one more vicious slug to the jaw before sending him staggering. She planted her hands on her hips and glared at the would-be assailant. “Don’t let me catching you loitering around here again, or next time, I will get rough.”
    His eyes widened as he wiped at the blood trickling from his broken nose and split lip. He nodded vigorously and winced before he took off, limping as fast as he could.
    The sound of someone clapping startled her. One would-be criminal thwarted, and already another waited to take his place?
    She pivoted on her heel and pulled her Luger. She had it aimed and cocked before she noted whom she faced. “Not you again.”
    But it was. Broderick had returned, more casually attired in slim-fitting blue jeans and a T-shirt that said GEEKS DO IT BY THE BOOK AND NEVER SKIP ANY CHAPTERS while clutching a bouquet of flowers and sporting a brilliant smirk.
    â€œI say, bravo. That was freaking awesome. The way you took that fellow down and made him cry, beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. I only wish I’d thought to tape it.”
    For the second time that day, she stared at the surprising Broderick and wondered what the hell was wrong with him.
    What sane man thought her beating up another man was awesome? What sane man showed up bearing flowers at one in the morning and seemed undaunted by a pointed gun?
    Apparently the same kind of guy who simply had to show up for her heart to go pitter-patter and her nipples to tighten. He came back. But why?
    â€œWhat are you doing here?” she asked bluntly.
    â€œCourting you.”
    Of all the expected answers, that one had never made the list. “I think you’ve got your definitions skewed, office boy. Stalking is not courting.”
    â€œStalking? I beg to differ. Stalking is defined as harassing someone in a way that makes them uncomfortable or afraid. I, on the other hand, am admiring you and expressing my ardent interest in taking things to a more personal level.”
    â€œTake your expression elsewhere. I am not interested.”
    â€œYou think that, but you’ll see,” he said, striding toward her, ignoring the still-pointed weapon. “We are meant to be together. I