Bound by Revenge (Guardian Series) Read Free Page A

her.
     
    Without much of a wait, Sam stood face to face with her newest charge, just separated by the thin glass pane.
    Well, Abby wasn’t exactly her charge. But that’s how Sam was determined to treat her until she knew that the woman could stand on her own without requiring the angel’s protection.
    Bradley told Sam to come here and meet with his daughter when they spoke. He made sure Sam went in under the guise of a long lost cousin. But that was the only information that Bradley provided. Now was the real test. Either that tiny snippet would be enough to get Sam safely entrenched in the group or he just withheld more information because he felt it wasn’t worth the risk of revealing too many details over the insecure lines. Either way, Sam was walking in blind and she had no idea what to expect of Abby. But, now that they were face to face and Sam had to opportunity to examine the young woman, what she saw didn’t surprise her in the least.
    Abby was very attractive and had an immaculately manicured appearance. She couldn’t be more that 25 year old, just a baby in Sam’s perspective. She had dark brown hair and crystal blue eyes, with “girl-next-door” beauty. The kind that could knock you out before you ever saw it coming.
    Both girls stood motionless for a moment, watching each other, waiting for the other to make a move. Sam tried hard to look as sweet and innocent as possible as Abby’s hard stare pierced through her while she waited to be invited in. Finally, Abby slid open the door and let out a slow breath to relax her tensed posture.
    “Hi, Abby. Did your father tell you I was coming?” Sam spoke in her most professional tone, considering the young woman’s face was a snapshot of extreme confusion and concern.
    “Samantha?” Abby paused briefly and gave Sam one more quick look up and down.
    “I go by Sam, now.” Sam added while bobbing her head in agreement.
    “I thought you were going to meet me at the office on Monday. That’s what my father had said, at least.”
    “I know. I’m sorry but I got into town early and I couldn’t wait to catch up.” Sam lied. She was determined to stick to the background story she had agreed on with Bradley. She was relieved they’d discussed strategy when she called to tell him she was on her way. After bouncing a variety of ideas back and forth they agreed coming here first would be best.
    Bradley suggested that the transition might be easier for his daughter if they started with the elaborate lie. He wanted the two girls to meet outside of the office first, thinking they would have a better opportunity to bond if they came together as family first.
    Abby stepped out of the way to welcome her cousin into her home.
    Abby dressed neatly, and kept her home the same way. Nothing was out of place.
    It was clear from the set up that Abby was born into a family of wealth and privilege. Everything in the home was the best quality and it was arranged in a way that implied to Sam an interior decorator had a strong influence in the design. Sam had expected nothing less from a guardian’s bloodline.
    Despite the wealth Abby’d grown up with, she didn’t come off as a spoiled rich kid. Sam could tell from the quick scan of the room that Abby was a hard worker who took pride in everything that she had accomplished or acquired. There wasn’t a speck of dust anywhere to be found in Abby’s home, or even so much as a water ring. And, as Sam looked into the sweet face before her, she saw the truth. There was no denying the steel strength flickering behind the smiling eyes of her new “cousin”.
    “I was so excited when daddy told me you were going to come and join the business. It’s a real boy’s club at the office sometimes.” Abby’s voice cracked and betrayed her disgust. Chances were she’d had to fight hard for every ounce of respect she’d gotten. Sam had seen that, all too often, during her other interactions with humanity. It had been a regular