The Paternity Promise. Merline Lovelace

enough to send her into hiding. It has to frighten you, too, or you wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to protect her.”

      He’d struck a nerve. He could tell by the way she wouldn’t meet his eyes. Regret that he hadn’t been able to shield Anne from whoever or whatever had threatened her knifed into him. With it came an implacable determination to protect Grace. Battling the fierce urge to shake the truth out of her, he offered her not just his name but every powerful resource at his disposal.

      “I’ll take care of you,” he promised, his steady gaze holding hers. “You and Molly.”

      She wanted to yield. He could see it in her eyes. He congratulated himself, reveling in the potent mix of satisfaction at winning her confidence and a primal need to protect his chosen mate.

      His fierce exultation didn’t last long. Only until she shook her head.

      “I appreciate the offer, Blake. You don’t know how much. But I can take care of myself.”

      He hadn’t realized until that moment how determined he was to put his ring on her finger. His expression hardening, he played his trump card.

      “There’s another aspect to consider. Right now, you can’t—or won’t—claim any degree of kinship to Molly. That could impact your access to her.”

      Her back went rigid. “What are you saying? That you wouldn’t let me see her if I don’t marry you?”

      “No. I’m simply pointing out that you have no legal rights where she’s concerned. Mother’s not getting any younger,” he reminded her coolly. “And if something should happen to me or Alex…”

      He was too good an attorney to overstate his case. Shrugging, he let her mull over the possibilities.

      Grace did, with ever increasing indignation. She couldn’t believe it! He’d trapped her in her own web of lies and half-truths. If she wanted to see Molly—which she did, desperately!—she would have to play the game by his rules.