My Guardian Vampire: BBW Paranormal Romance (The Guardians Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

head to the other side, slip in her torso and the other leg, and then she was free. For a moment, she stood on the metal staircase of the fire escape, and breathed in the fresh air, but smoke was already pouring in from behind her. In the distance, she could hear the sirens as a fire truck raced in the distance. Was it making its way to her apartment? It didn’t matter anyway. By the time it reached her, it might be too late. She couldn’t wait for help to arrive. It was important to get off this staircase before she collapsed from sheer exhaustion or before the fire found her here.
    She gazed down. Her apartment was only three stories up, but the way her legs trembled, she wasn’t sure if she could make it. When she took a tentative step down, her head spun. Dizziness overcame her, and she stumbled. Her head would’ve hit the staircase hard if she didn’t grab onto the railing. But she was exhausted. Her grip on the railing was tenuous, at best. Her hand was slipping. The smoke inside her lungs made it difficult for her to breathe, to concentrate.
    She stumbled against the railing, lost her balance, and fell down. The fall through the air felt liberating, free. She should’ve screamed, cried out, but somehow nothing escaped her lips.
    She should’ve crashed down on the hard ground. The pain should’ve been intense but instead she fell into someone’s waiting arms. Lacey opened her eyes and looked into the familiar face.
    “Thank God!” she said. “You’re always there.”
    Her oxygen-starved mind had a sudden vision. No, a memory. Lacey was ten years old and she was running on the pavement. Her mother had allowed her to go to the nearest grocery store on her own to get a carton of milk. Freedom tasted good, it smelled delightful. This was the first time that she’d been given permission to do this even though the store was a mere five minutes away. She would go in, get the milk, and come back. Her mother would be so proud, and then she would be allowed to go on her own again. She was a big girl now, almost a teen. Only three years left until she hit the magical number thirteen. A pre-teen, her mother called her. Lacey was happy, delirious with joy. As she neared the store, she heard a screeching noise behind her. Someone was coming in fast on the street, but she was safe. Her mother had told her to stay on the pavement, and Lacey always listened to her mother.
    As long as she remained on the pavement and didn’t talk to strangers, she would be okay. When she went back home, her mother would be happy. Lacey could taste the sweet achievement. After all, she was almost there. The noise behind increased and then suddenly someone grabbed her waist, lifted her high in the air, and then pulled her into the safety of a doorway just as a car careened up on the pavement. It smashed into a pole. There was a loud popping sound and the glass broke. If she was on the pavement, she would’ve been squashed between the pole and the car.
    Horrified, Lacey took in the scene of the accident and then her gaze met that of her savior. The intense blue eyes were filled with kindness. “Run along home now, sweetie. You’re fine.”
    When he put her down, she ran home as fast as she could. Lacey never did venture out alone for a long time. Her mother was too scared to allow her, and frankly she was terrified too. It had been a close call. The stranger saved her.
    The memory faded as her eyes closed and oblivion overtook her. It was nice to fall into a blissful sleep and not worry about another thing.
    Perhaps that was what death would’ve felt like.
    Peace.
    Quiet.
    Rest.
    Sleep.
    How long she was that way? She couldn’t tell. But then she felt a sharp pain. She screamed and struggled against the restraints.
    “Relax, breathe,” said a calm voice that she recognized despite the chaos in her mind. “You’re safe now.”
    Lacey made an effort not to struggle. With difficulty, she opened her eyes. There was something on her face,