Cinderella's Guardian by Khloe Wren Read Free Book Online

only spark of life I've had was Kit smuggling your present and note to me, then meeting you at my swing."
    "Oh, Tina...I will find a way. I promise I'll make it better. Just hang in there for me, please."
    Wrapped in Conner's strong embrace, she allowed herself to lean on him. Why the hell couldn't this be real? Surely after all she'd suffered this last year, she deserved something good, some happiness? And Conner would make a wonderful knight in shining armor.

Chapter Four
    Robyn tapped a perfectly manicured nail against her lips as she watched Tina. Something was different about her. She couldn't quite place it. She looked a little different, her shoulders straighter, her face not quite so pathetically sad all the time. In fact, a ghost of a smile graced her lips. As Tina wheeled back from the coffee table, the lounge light reflected on something around her throat.
    "What are you wearing around your neck, Tina? Where did it come from?"
    "It's just a necklace, Robyn. Nothing special."
    Robyn frowned, the clench of Tina's jaw said otherwise.
    "I don't believe you. Who gave you the necklace?"
    Tina turned to her, anger written clearly over her features. This was not good. Tina never showed any emotion, other than crying all the damn time.
    "It is none of your business who gave it to me."
    "Like hell it is!"
    She flew to her feet as Tina raced to her room. Before Tina could slam the door, Robyn was there, pushing her way in. There was only one person who could have this effect on Tina. How had he gotten past her? She'd been so careful to never let Tina out of her sight since Conner had shown his interest.
    "It's from that boy, Conner, isn't it? How did he get to you?"
    Tina backed toward her window with fear in her gaze. She should fear her. Robyn was in one hell of a mood. A phone chime caught her attention.
    "Give me your phone."
    Why hadn't she taken it off her earlier? Tina didn't need a damn phone. She mentally shook her head, such a dumb mistake for her to make.
    "No. You can't do this to me! I'm an adult. I have rights."
    She laughed with zero humor. "No, honey, you don't. You're nothing but a cripple, no one will believe your stories and your father made me your primary caregiver. He was even so kind as to sign legal documentation to that effect. So, I can do whatever I want with you. Give. Me. Your. Phone."
    Tina tried to keep hold of her phone but her hands were trembling and Robyn swiftly snatched it free from her grasp. Robyn quickly activated the screen and went into the messages. Her fury grew at each one she read. Tina had been sneaking out at night to meet Conner for the past two weeks! Body vibrating with rage, she turned the phone off and pocketed it. She prowled over to Tina, who was as close to the window as she could get.
    "You will never see Conner again. Are we clear?"
    As Tina nodded jerkily, Robyn reached forward and ripped the necklace from around her neck. Opening the window with a jerk, she tossed it though, before slamming it closed and turning the lock in place. She turned back to see Tina rubbing at the red line around her neck. Served herself right, she should have known better than to attempt to take up with a boy.
    "Now let's get you tucked into bed for the night, shall we?"
    She helped Tina into bed then left the room—with her chair. After parking it in the walk-in-closet in her bedroom, she made certain both the back and front doors were dead-bolted. No way was that boy entering her house. She turned toward her room and shook her head at the sound of Tina's sobbing. Stupid girl.
    She made her way back to the closet and brushed her hand over Dale's clothes to stir up his scent. Dale didn't wear cologne. His smell was pure masculinity. She was supposed to be staying in the spare room down the hall, but she loved being surrounded by Dale's things, his scent. She slept in his bed, on his sheets. Every night she dreamt of him joining her in that bed. One day. One day he would notice her and fall