title: Mishap and Retribution
author:  M.M. Shelley 
description: M. M. Shelley lives in Los Angeles, California where she daydreams about fairies and writes fantasy and Sci-fi for the young at heart. Other than writing M. M. Shelley enjoys photography, Graphic Design and spoiling her ten nieces and nephews who are always an inspiration. You can visit M. M. Shelley at www.mmshelley.com
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  ![Cover image](image/9780369704238.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Her attacker was back.
  
  
  Flashlight in hand, she ran to the attic steps, taking the offensive. She
  wouldn’t be a victim again.
  
  
  “Don’t move,” she shouted.
  
  
  But it wasn’t her attacker coming up the steps.  
  Chief Winters came toward her. She should take a step back but she couldn’t
  move. Something about him had her heart fluttering. He lifted her chin with
  his finger.
  
  
  She wanted to tell him what a romantic cliché his action was, but then she’d
  be admitting her attraction. And she couldn’t admit that. She’d never risk her
  heart again.
  
  
  “What are you doing up here again?” he asked her.
  
  
  She couldn’t tell anyone what she’d done, especially not him. “Chief...”
  
  
  “Jewel, don’t you think it’s about time you call me Colin?”
  
  
  His voice was so gentle, she could almost forget he was here on official
  business. But that would be a mistake.
  
  
  “Colin, I—”
  
  
  But she never got a chance to speak. A scream tore through the attic.
  
  
  
  
  
  