Debra Webb - Guarding the Heiress

“The D’Martine fortune amounts to billions. We’re not talking about a paltry sum here. As the heiress to this fortune, your security becomes top priority. There are a lot of people out there who’d like to have a piece of that kind of money. When the word gets out, and trust me, it will, you’ll be a walking target.”

He’d watched her eyes go wider with each word he’d spoken. Finally, she shook her head and made a face, something between disbelief and consternation.

“Heiress?” She opened her mouth and splayed her hands as if at a loss as to what to say. “I’m no heiress. I’m just a plumber. I don’t want to be an heiress. I just want my family to be left alone.”

Doug braced his forearms on his widespread knees and leaned a little in her direction. “I’m afraid you don’t understand, Miss Harper. It’s not a matter of what you want or don’t want. You are the heiress to the D’Martine jewelry empire. It’s your birthright.”

Drawing back just in time as she rocketed from her seat, Doug watched her pace the room. He didn’t envy her this battle. The whole money thing was enough to contend with, but to suddenly know that your father wasn’t your father and that the man who was your father had been murdered…well, it was simply a lot to digest in one sitting.

She stopped abruptly and looked at him. “What about the other man? The suit?”

Doug relaxed a fraction. At least she wasn’t going to plunge into denial or run for the door…not yet anyway. “Mr. Thurston. He’s the D’Martine family attorney. His job is to inform you of your legal rights and obligations as a member of the D’Martine family.”

She looked taken aback. “Obligations? What obligations?”

Doug lifted one shoulder in a noncommittal shrug. “Your grandmother D’Martine wishes to get to know you and to familiarize you with the family business.”

She was shaking her head even before he finished. “I already have one family business to take care of. I don’t need another.”

Doug had had a feeling that this was where the sticking point would be. He pushed to his feet and tucked his hands into his pockets in hopes of keeping things casual, relaxed.

“I understand, as I’m sure Mrs. D’Martine will. However, you should consider long and hard your options. You and your family here would be financially secure for the rest of your lives.” He almost laughed at the way he’d automatically minimized the situation. But he needed her cooperative. “The reality is, Miss Harper—”

“Eddi,” she corrected.

He nodded once in acknowledgment. “Eddi. Your grandchildren’s grandchildren won’t even have to worry about money. I’m not sure you quite comprehend the complete picture. When I use the term heiress, I use it in its most literal sense. The matter is not something you can simply dismiss.”

The vulnerability in those blue eyes tugged at something deep inside him. Made him want to share his own story with her and assure her that he, of all people, understood exactly what she was going through. But he couldn’t take that chance. Wouldn’t take that chance. He’d worked too hard to separate himself from his past. He couldn’t blow it for Eddi Harper, no matter how he wanted to just now. She was strong, self-reliant, she would find her way. His only job was to keep her safe and to give her a few pointers about fitting in along the way.

“I have to talk to my father,” she said and turned toward the door. Now she would run…maybe even deny all she’d heard.

“I’ll need to go with you,” Doug insisted, reaching for his sport jacket.

A frown marred her pretty face when she looked back at him. “I need to do this alone.”

He shouldered into his jacket, concealing the gun, which made her feel lots better. “Don’t worry, I’ll give you plenty of space. But Mrs. D’Martine hired me to keep you safe and I take my work very seriously.”

The frown morphed into a look of disbelief. “You’re kidding, right?”

“I never kid about my work, Eddi.” He moved up next to her at the door. “Until further notice from my employer, I’m your personal bodyguard 24/7.”

Eddi sighed loudly, defeatedly. “Ms. Mattie was right,” she said wearily. “You are a spy.”

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