Free Against All Odds (Shifters) by Sam Crescent Page A

to climb the walls from being confined to the cabin for so long.
    “What good news?” Dana asked.
    “Ben has agreed to let me stay with him. It’s close enough to the city so you can visit me, but also my parents don’t need to come.” She was smiling as she looked between them.
    “If you’re not ready, honey, we can wait,” John said.
    Ben saw the older man’s protective side coming through.
    “John, I know you guys are struggling to stay here. The fact you’ve held out as long as you have means a lot to me. Malcolm gave me the all clear , and I’m fine. He doesn’t need to come out again to check on me. Over time the scars will heal, and in no time I’ll be back to my old self. Ben has agreed to take care of me. I mean, I’m supposed to be his mate, so I might as well use him for something, right?”
    Her grip was tight on his hand. Ben never wanted to let her go.
    “He’ll protect you, Heather,” Dana said. “If not, I’ll kick his ass, and he’ll wish he listened to reason.”
    His woman chuckled.
    “Really, thank you for sticking with me. It has been difficult for all of you, and I promise I’ll keep in touch. I’m sure Ben won’t have a problem with you all visiting me if that’s what you want to do.”
    “I won’t have a problem. My home is open for you all,” Ben said, reassuring everyone.
    “Ben, can I have a word with you in the kitchen?” John said. The older man was already moving toward the kitchen, so he didn’t really have a choice but to follow.
    When they were alone John turned on him. “Do you think this is wise you taking her home with you? What if your tiger comes out and attacks her again?”
    “I’m fine. It will never happen again.”
    “How do you know that?” John asked.
    “I know. I’ve never attacked a woman. My tiger is bound to me , and I hurt the one woman who means the world to me. I’ve got it handled, and no matter what happens, Heather will be safe. Out of everything that has happened, I can guarantee her safety above everything else. I’d never hurt her.”
    The attack on Heather had been like a shock to his system.
    “Has your tiger been close to the surface?”
    “Yes, all the time. I want to protect her and love her. I want the chance to prove to her how much I can.”
    His feelings had changed over the last few days. Ben was sure of his love for her. It had been something that had taken him by surprise. He was going to spend the rest of his life showing her his love.

Chapter Nine
     
    One week later with a suitcase in hand , Heather stared up at the large house she was about to live in. Ben was grabbing a couple more cases from the trunk of the car. They’d said goodbye to the Ashtons that morning. She’d been ready to get out of the cabin, but staring up at his house, she couldn’t help doubt her original thoughts.
    The house was large, bigger than her parents’ home.
    “Is this like a mini-mansion?” she asked.
    “I like plenty of space. It’s a seven bedroom house,” he said, standing beside her.
    “You’ve got a security gate.”
    “Yes. I’m a private guy. I’m also a shifter. I need space and privacy.”
    She could only nod as he produced a set of keys.
    They walked up the steps , and she waited as he slid a card inside a lock and then typed in a load of buttons. Once inside he flicked a switch. It didn’t seem so large inside, and she saw several pieces of expensive art work on the walls.
    “Do you have people working for you?” she asked.
    “I’ve got a maid and a cleaning crew. I don’t clean. I do cook and everything else.” He dropped her case on the floor. She followed him through to the first room. Considering the house was large she noted the modern, bachelor décor.
    “Did you get in a decorating crew?” she asked.
    “No, I did all this myself. I work from home, and I like building shit with my hands. I got it from my father. I bought the house about three years ago, and I spent the first two and a half