Shadow Guardian and the Three Bears , livre ebook

4 Horsemen Publications, Inc. - Robert J. Lewis

Découvre YouScribe en t'inscrivant gratuitement

Je m'inscris

Obtenez un accès à la bibliothèque pour le consulter en ligne
En savoir plus

103 pages

English

Vous pourrez modifier la taille du texte de cet ouvrage

Obtenez un accès à la bibliothèque pour le consulter en ligne
En savoir plus

A propos
Informations
Extrait

Description

Burly villains are terrorizing the city Shadow Guardian protects, and this superhero is pulling double duty of trying to protect the city and not fall in love.

Diego Sanz grew up witnessing neglect by officials on the North side of Morgan City. Beating the odds, he became the CEO of a fortune 500 company, but he never left his community behind. Determined to fight the crime in Morgan City, Diego returns, donning the mantle of Shadow Guardian, a mysterious vigilante who protects the people.

During a routine patrol, he rescues an attractive young man named Alex. Diego is intrigued, but would Alex still desire him if he met the man behind the mask? While sorting out his emotions and deciding whether to reveal his secret, Three Bears are terrorizing his territory. Armed with a dangerous drug called Build and Burn, the outlaws may be too much for the well-to-do vigilante to handle on his own.

Now he must put his faith in the technological skills of his new hire of Special Projects, Alex--the handsome man he can't stop thinking about--who, despite his fresh assignment, has no idea his new boss is also the protector of Morgan City. Will Diego reveal his identity to keep Alex close or will the Bears, driven mad by their drug, destroy the city before he even gets his chance to express his feelings?

Sujets

Policier & Thriller

Thriller

Superheroes

Fiction

Informations

Publié par	4 Horsemen Publications, Inc.
Date de parution	29 décembre 2022
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9798823200301
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0350€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

Extrait

T able o f Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Epilogue
Recipe
Book Club Questions
Author Bio

Shadow Guardian and the Thr ee Bears
Copyright © 2022 Robert J. Lewis. All rights r eserved.

4 Horsemen Publicatio ns, Inc.
1497 Main St. S uite 169
Dunedin, FL 34698
4horsemenpublicat ions.com
info@4horsemenpublicat ions.com
Cover and Typeset by S . Wilder
Editor Kristin e Cotter
All rights to the work within are reserved to the author and publisher. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 International Copyright Act, without prior written permission except in brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Please contact either the Publisher or Author to gain per mission.
This is book is meant as a reference guide. All characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. All brands, quotes, and cited work respectfully belongs to the original rights holders and bear no affiliation to the authors or pu blisher.
Library of Congress Control Number: 20 22943658
Print ISBN: 979-8-823 2-0031-8
Hardcover ISBN: 979-8-823 2-0032-5
Ebook ISBN: 979-8-823 2-0030-1
Audio ISBN: 979-8-823 2-0018-9

Of course, this is dedicated to my parents, may they rest in peace. To Bonita, my little diva. To all of my family and friends who have encouraged me. Thank you.

Prologue
H iding in the alley across from the bar where Juan Carlos worked, Diego watched the patrons coming and going. He still had a few weeks before he’d be old enough to enter legally. He wasn’t trying to get in, though. If he wanted to, he could use the employee entrance Juan Carlos sometimes let him use to watch the shows.
Diego wasn’t there to see a show. He was there to keep watch, to stand guard. In the past month, someone had attacked ten people leaving the bar, raping, beating, and violating them with random objects. Two hadn’t survived. They didn’t expect three to ever walk again. All who survived would need years of extensive therapy. Diego would be damned if he’d let that happen to Juan Carlos, or anyone else for th at matter.
The victims had all left the bar alone, choosing to walk the dangerous streets instead of spending a couple of bucks on a ride. The people he saw came and went in groups of three or more. These people had obviously learned, arming themselves with numbers and common sense since the police weren’t doing anything about it.
The police called the incidents isolated. The politicians were blaming the victims for frequenting a sinful establishment. That’s why Diego was there. It was what Juan Carlos had taught him. To look out for your community. To do what you can for the community. This was what Diego felt he could do for his community.
Diego stood, poised to take action. I am a panther—a guardian in the shadows, ready to protect and defend. Diego scanned the front of the bar. I have nothing to fear except Juan Carlos finding out I’m here. Shifting his feet, Diego yawned. Freddy had better not r at me out.
A hand on Diego’s shoulder caused him to let out a high-pitched screech. He turned, fist raised, to attack his would-be assailant. His body was tense and ready to strike. He was ready for anything, anything except the disapproving glare of Juan Carlos. Slumping his shoulders, Diego lowered his hands and prepared for the inevitable scolding.
Juan Carlos crossed his arms, the sleeves of his flowing robe hanging down his body. The clack of his high-heeled boot and the cement was the only thing Diego heard. He knew Juan Carlos was waiting for him to explain himself, to justify why he was out here.
“Well?” Juan Carlos asked when the silence between them dragged out too long. “I have a show in twenty minutes. Start ex plaining.”
Diego shuffled his feet but kept his eyes up, meeting Juan Carlos’s. He squared his shoulders and said in a tone that was defiant yet respectful, “I’m protecting my community. I’m making sure no one gets attacked.”
Juan Carlos mulled over the words. He wanted to reprimand Diego, but couldn’t. “We have it covered. We have a network of volunteers making sure everyone comes and goes from the bar safely.” Juan Carlos unfolded his arms, the sleeves billowing out. “Where is Federico?”
Diego rolled his eyes. “He got that weird look in his eyes and started drawing again. I told him I was leaving, but I don’t think he heard me.”
Concern etched in Juan Carlos’s voice. “You know you’re not supposed to leave him alone. You’re supposed to look out for ea ch other.”
Diego kicked the ground. “He never wants to do anything fun, like video games or watch television. All he does is draw or some artsy thing. Plus, he’s always sniffing me. That ’s weird.”
“You know he’s photosensitive. That’s why Esmerelda left him with you.” Diego felt a twinge of guilt at Juan Carlos’s soft reprimand. “And I’ll talk to Esmerelda about the s niffing.”
Diego’s lips curled into a slight smile before flattening out again. “Okay, no more sneaking out, but I’m going to learn to fight.”
Diego found himself wrapped in Juan Carlos’s flowing robe. “Aye, niño mio. Will you be my little boy one more night? You can grow up tomorrow.”
Diego held onto Juan Carlos. “You can’t protect me forever.”
Running his hand over the back of Diego’s head, Juan Carlos said, “I know, but I can try.” Juan Carlos kissed the top of Diego’s head. “I’ll talk to Esmerelda about having Federico train you, but you should use that big brain of yours instead of you r fists.”
The two held onto each other a moment longer. Wiping a tear away as he pulled away, Diego asked, “Can’t I use both?”
Juan Carlos took Diego’s hand. “As long as you use them to make our community better. Now, let’s get you home.”
Crossing the street, they stopped in front of the bar. Juan Carlos took Diego by the shoulders so he could look the young man in the eyes. “Be my little boy until morning, okay?” Juan Carlos kissed Diego on the cheek. “Gato, make sure he gets h ome safe.”
Diego looked at the slender, muscular Latinx man with colorful tattoos decorating the length of both arms who placed a hand on his shoulder. “As if my life depended upon it.”
“Good, because it does.” Juan Carlos gave Gato a look that told him he meant business.
“You just make sure to put in that good word with Esmerelda for me.” Gato countered.
Juan Carlos waved his hand flippantly in the air, his shiny, red nails catching the bar light. “I’ll do what I can. You need to show her you can be the man she needs y ou to be.”
Gato straightened, standing proudly and boldly. “You know I can be.”
“Yes. Yes, you can be. Unfortunately, right now, you’re not.” Juan Carlos’s words were razor sharp. “Now get my boy home. Don’t forget you’re escorting our futu res home.”
“Come on, Rico, let’s get this special care package home.” A stocky, broad-shouldered man appeared beside Gato. “Apparently, he’s ou r future.”

Chapter 1
A lex walked home from the bar alone. He knew he shouldn’t be walking alone at night, but the spring air was cool, and he didn’t have enough money for a ride home. The bar was only a few blocks from his apartment, and unfortunately, no one was interested in going home with him, not even on a slow Wednesday karao ke night.
Alex was two blocks from his place when he heard the footsteps behind him. He felt the fear in the pit of his stomach. He didn’t run, but he picked up his pace. Whoever it was behind him matched his pace. He was ready to run when the footsteps stopped and there was the sound of a door opening and closing.
You’re overreacting. Just get your ass home and get to bed. You have to work tomorrow, he berated himself. Alex kept on, jumping at every sound. Why did you have to go out tonight? To meet someone? No one is ever intereste d in you.
Alex was mentally berating himself when someone yanked him into the darkness of an alleyway. He landed hard on the filthy pavement; the breath knocked from his body. He felt himself get lifted into the air, then he crashed against the brick wall. Pain shot through his body. His vision blurred and was littered w ith stars.
“Look what we have here. Looks like we’re going to have a little fun tonight,” a gruff voic e snarled.
“Can I have him first?” a greasy voice asked off to the side. Alex blinked, trying to clear his vision. “I like it when they have a little fight left in them. I like to hear the m scream.”
Alex could barely make out the face of the bloated man that pinned him to the wall. He could smell the stench of stale cigarettes and cheap beer on his breath. “He’ll still scream.” The reality of the situation was sinking in for Alex. “If you’re roug h enough.”
“Come on. The last one was dead when I got him,” Grea sy whined.
Alex panicked. He struggled in vain against the man. “Please, don’t do this. Please, just let me go.” The men laughed, amused by Alex’s f