The Mercenary and the Shifters (The Turning Stone Chronicles) Read Online Free Page B

faction of the Turning Stone shifters used her to smuggle poisonous gas for a terrorist attack. Her brother recognized an OmniWorld representative as a shifter and warned her off.”
    “She’s a shifter? I wouldn’t have taken this job if I’d known.”
    “She’s not. Her mother was, but she was hiding from the rogues. Fiona doesn’t know much about the Society, according to her brother.”
    “Don’t be so certain. If her brother warned her off, and she’s dealing with rogues, she might know more than you think.”
    “Keep a close eye on her, Mike, and watch your back.”
    “Roger that.” He thumbed off the cell and laid his shotgun across his knees.
    The accent lights in front of the house cast a glow on the draperies, bright enough, he hoped, an intruder’s shadow would warn him of approaching danger. As his eyes adjusted to the darkened room, he allowed his mind to wander to the woman he’d promised to protect.
    Was she a shifter? While his buddy had accepted their presence, Mike had a bit more trouble with the idea of paranormal beings roaming around. He liked his world black and white, and from what he knew of the Turning Stone Society, especially the rogues, gray reigned.
    The crunch of glass at the doorway to the room brought his attention to the task at hand. He flipped down his night goggles and leveled his gun, ready to take aim at the sound.
    “Mike.” A stage whisper floated into the room. “It’s me, Fiona.”
    He lowered his weapon and shoved the goggles to his forehead. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be locked in the guest house.”
    “I couldn’t sleep. Can I come in?”
    “Be careful on the glass. I don’t want to take you to the emergency room for stitches.”
    The sound of crunching footsteps approached then disappeared, muffled in the thick carpeting when she passed his barrier. When she neared, he motioned her to the floor behind the chair where she’d taken refuge earlier.
    “You’re still dressed.”
    “I thought it wise. I brought my gun.”
    “Keep it holstered, even if something happens.” For all he knew she couldn’t hit a target at point blank range. Friendly fire killed the same as unfriendly fire. He’d take her to a shooting range when they got the window fixed and see how well she handled her gun. Until then, he wanted to be the sole shooter.
    “I can shoot, you know.”
    “Maybe at point blank in the light. But if they come tonight, it will be dark. Do you have night goggles?”
    “No.”
    “I do. I can see who I’m shooting. Trust me, I won’t mistake you for the enemy.”
    “That’s comforting to know.”
    He heard her settle against the wall, then a muffled yawn drifted toward him. “Go to sleep, Fiona. You’re safe with me.”
    She curled on the floor. Mike laid another chair in front of her to protect her better. He sat watching her, wondering what secrets she had. Secrets he would have to uncover in order to protect her.
    After a couple of seconds, Fiona raised on her elbow and gently touched his arm. At the whisper light brush of her fingers, sparks raced to his shoulder. He suppressed the urge to return her touch.
    “Thanks, Mike, for being here. I’d probably be dead if you hadn’t knocked me off my chair.”
    “Just doing what you’re paying me for,” he replied evenly. But nothing inside him lay on an even keel. Her touch suddenly had him off balance, like a Tilt-a-Whirl at the county fair. He pulled his arm away.
    “Get some rest.” The words came out more brusque than he intended, but he wouldn’t apologize. She needed to see him as an employee—a man hired to help her—not a friend or champion.
    She was business. Just business.
    Curled close enough to hear Mike’s even breathing and smell his cologne floating on the night breeze whenever the draperies drifted inward, Fiona relaxed. Masculine strength oozed from him, wrapping around her like a cocoon. She knew she would be safe as long as he stayed beside her.