Convincing Alex by Nora Roberts Page B

relaxed her hands. “We were just having a conversation. Nice talking to you, Rosalie.”
    â€œSure.” She swaggered out, blowing smoke in Alex’s face for effect.
    â€œTake off.”
    Bobby moved his shoulders again, smirked. “The coffee’s lousy here, anyway.” He flicked a glance at Bess. “Next time, sweetheart.”
    Alex waited ten humming seconds after the door swung shut. Without a word, he stalked over to Bess and grabbed her by the arm and hustled her out the door.
    â€œLook, if this is a knight-in-shining-armor routine, I appreciate it, but I don’t need rescuing.”
    â€œYou need a straitjacket.”
    With murder in his heart, he dragged her half a block.
    â€œIn the car,” he snapped, opening the back door of the patrol car.
    â€œA cab would be—”
    He swore, put a hand on her head and shoved her into the back seat.
    Resigned, Bess settled back. “Hi, Judd,” she said as he took his place in the passenger seat in front. “How’s Holly?”
    â€œGreat, thanks.” He slanted a look toward his partner. “Ah, she really had a good time at your place.”
    â€œI’m glad. We’ll have to do it again.” Alex whipped out into trafficwith enough force to have her slamming back against the seat. Without missing a beat, Bess crossed her legs. “Am I allowed to ask where we’re going, or is this another bust?”
    â€œI should be taking you to Bellevue, where you belong,” Alex responded. “But I’m taking you home.”
    â€œWell, thanks for the lift.”
    His eyes flashed to hers in the rearview mirror. Her face was still flushed, and her irises were a sharp enough jade to slice to the bone, but she looked more miffed than upset. Miffed, he thought with a snort. Stupid word. It fit her perfectly.
    â€œYou’re an idiot, McNee. And, like most idiots, you’re dangerous.”
    â€œOh, really?” She scooted up in the seat so that she could lean between him and Judd. “Just how do you figure that, smart guy?”
    â€œNot only do you go back down to an area you have no business even knowing about—”
    â€œGive me a break.”
    â€œBut,” he continued, “you sit there drinking coffee with a hooker, then pick a fight with her pimp. The kind of guy who’d as soon give a woman a black eye as wish her good-morning.”
    Bess poked a finger at his shoulder. “I didn’t pick a fight with anyone, and if I had, it would be my business.”
    â€œThat’s why you’re an idiot.”
    â€œHey, Alex, ease off.”
    â€œKeep out of this,” Alex and Bess snarled in unison.
    â€œI’m not even here,” Judd mumbled, scooting down in his seat.
    â€œIt so happens I was conducting an interview.” Bess folded her arms on the seat so that she wouldn’t give in to the nasty urge to twist Alex’s ear. “In a public place,” she added. “And you had no right to come bursting in and ruining everything before I’d finished.”
    â€œIf I hadn’t come bursting in, babe, you’d have had your nose broken again.”
    She scowled, wrinkling her undeniably crooked nose. “I can defend my nose, and anything else, just fine.”
    â€œYeah, anyone can see you’re a regular amazon. Ow!” He slapped at her hand and swore the air blue when she gave in and twisted his ear. “The minute I get you out of this car, I’m going to—”
    â€œUh, Alex?”
    â€œI told you to keep out of it.”
    â€œI’m out,” Judd assured him. “But you might want to take a look at the liquor store coming up at nine o’clock.”
    Still steaming, Alex did, then let out a heavy sigh. “Perfect. This makes it perfect. Call it in.”
    Bess watched, wide-eyed, as Judd radioed in an armed robbery in progress, gave their location and requested backup. Before she