Guardian of Her Heart Read Online Free PDF Page A

painted front room that served as a waiting area for parents dropping off kids when necessary or picking them up when possible. He knew that some kids went home with one or the other of their parents on the weekends, and for that reason, Friday evenings could be the most difficult time at the shelter.
    The need for a child crisis center just showed how love died after a while in many marriages because of fighting. Just like his parents’ marriage. Sometimes the verbal fights turned dangerous with physical abuse from one or both partners. He’d caught his father hitting his mother more than once.
    With no moms or dads in the waiting room this evening, those living at the shelter remained quiet. Angie would help them make dinner and see that everyone, including the women there, headed for their beds early. Since Angie also slept at the shelter, she was a godsend for Melissa.
    Melissa breezed into the bright waiting room, a confident look on her face.
    “Hi,” Mike said, smiling at her. “I hear everything’s quiet so far.”
    “Yes, no problems today,” she said.
    “Good. Are you ready to head home?”
    “Give me a few more minutes to make sure everything is in order, and I’ll be ready.”
    “I’m going to have a look outside. Wait for me in here, okay?”
    “Sure.”
    “You’re keeping the doors locked, right?”
    She gave him a disgusted smile. “Of course. Don’t we always?”
    “Just checking.” Mike stepped outside. Senses alert, he took in his surroundings. Jogging toward the side of the center, he headed around the back and along the opposite side street to the front. Everything looked normal.
    The familiar hum of an engine raised the hair on the back of his neck. That sound belonged to the sedan Tito’s friend drove last night.
    Mike ducked behind the thick shrubs hugging the front of the building. In the shadows behind the bushes, he shape-shifted to his wolf form. Every molecule in his body vibrated with electricity in the zing of change. Maybe a brush with a wolf would discourage those guys from coming around.
    The car stopped, and the sound of doors closing indicated Tito had at least one pack member with him. Their footsteps sounded on the sidewalk leading to the door.
    Mike sprang in front of Tito. At his surprised yell, his friend ran back to the car, slamming the door shut.
    Mike sensed chilling danger. “Why are you hanging around here?” Growling with menace, he slashed at Tito’s arms and legs.
    Tito spun, stumbled, regained his footing and ducked inside the car. His friend gunned the motor, and they sped away.
    Mike turned as the door of the shelter opened. Lunging for the shadows at the side of the house, he narrowly avoided being discovered. He shifted back to his human form. After checking to see his clothing was straight, he strode to the front door.

Chapter Three

    “I thought I heard an argument out here,” Melissa said.
    Mike nodded. He hated lying to her, but he couldn’t tell her the truth. Not yet. “Tito showed. Before I could snag him, a big dog chased him into his car. He and his friend took off. Wait inside. I’ll call Derek.”
    Melissa nodded and closed the door behind her.
    Mike made the call. “Derek, they stopped by just now but took off before I could do anything. They’re headin’ downtown. See if you can spot ’em.”
    Mike put away his cell and went inside. Melissa waited alone in the front room.
    “So, what happened?”
    “Nothing much. They’re gone now, but you need a bodyguard as well as your security man twenty-four-seven. Where is he?”
    “Paul? I asked him to make sure the back door was locked.”
    “Good, but you need someone up front at the same time.”
    “All right. How about you? I feel safer with you here anyway.”
    Mike feared spending that much time near Melissa would be torture. He ached to make her his. How could he keep his needs under control if he was around her every day and night?
    He couldn’t refuse her. “If you’re