Cross My Heart by Carly Phillips Page B

“If I hadn’t come back, are you saying you weren’t going to claim my trust fund by having me declared legally dead?” Nausea rose to her throat at the thought.
    He shrugged. “Practicality dictated someone take over the trust.”
    At least he hadn’t denied it.
    â€œBesides, your parents provided that if you passed on, the trust would be divided between myself and your uncle Robert. I was just following their wishes.”
    Once again, he reached for her arm, but this time he didn’t retreat.
    Her pulse pounded in her throat. Before he could touch her, Lacey immediately stepped out of his reach.
    His gaze dulled at her rejection.
    She wondered whether he really cared or if he was still an excellent actor. She’d bet on the acting.
    â€œI didn’t come here to talk about the money,” he said.
    â€œThen why did you come?” Ty stepped up behind her uncle, surprising them both.
    Lacey had never felt more relieved in her entire life. She’d handled her uncle but Ty’s presence was more than welcome.
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    T Y STEPPED PAST Dumont and came up beside Lilly. He couldn’t believe Dumont had had the balls to show up at his apartment to confront Lilly and Ty was glad he’d come home early and surprised the man.
    â€œAre you okay?” he asked quietly.
    She gave him a curt nod.
    Relieved, he turned back toward Marc Dumont and wrapped an arm around Lilly’s waist. From behind, he felt Digger push her nose between them until her head poked out through their legs.
    Some protector the mutt turned out to be, he thought wryly. Though Ty wanted to believe Digger wouldn’t have let anything happen to Lilly, he knew the dog was a lover not a fighter. As for Ty, he wanted nothing more than to protect Lilly, but once again she’d held her own. He had to admit, though, she’d looked awfully relieved to see him.
    Now she leaned into him, her flesh soft and pliant, her fragrance sweet and tempting. He was proud of her for not showing any weakness in front of Dumont, he thought.
    The older man cleared his throat. “I came to see for myself that Lilly—I mean Lacey—is really okay,” Dumont said.
    â€œYou’ve done that and now you can leave.” Ty stepped back, intending to shut the door, even if it was in Dumont’s face.
    â€œWait. There’s one more thing.” Dumont reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a rectangular envelope. “It’s an invitation. Two, really. One to my engagement party this Friday night and the other to my wedding next month.”
    Lacey accepted the invitation with trembling hands. She was obviously shocked, gripping the invitation so hard her fingertips turned white.
    â€œI don’t expect an answer now. Just know I’m glad you’re alive. I’m sorry about the past and I hope you’ll accept my invitation to start over.”
    â€œI’ll think about it,” she said, surprising Ty.
    From Dumont’s wide-eyed expression, Ty would guess she’d taken him off guard, as well.
    â€œThinking about it is all I can ask. I don’t even deserve that much. But I’m going to have a new family and a fresh start. I’m hoping we can have that, too.” Dumont shifted his gaze to Ty. “The apology and invitation includes you, as well,” he said a bit more stiffly.
    Ty merely nodded. He had no intention of acknowledging anything the man said. He figured that made Lilly a better human being than him. He didn’t care.
    In the wake of the silence that followed, Dumont turned and walked away.
    â€œHe’s full of crap,” Ty muttered, shutting the door behind them.
    Lilly nodded. “How could he expect me to forget he had me placed in foster care at seventeen?” she asked, her voice shaking.
    And Ty knew that foster care was one of the nicer things Dumont had done to her. None of them would ever get past the shift all their lives had taken