The Billionaire's Trust (His Submissive, Part Eleven) (9 page)

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't
curious. I crossed my arms, waiting.

"When I felt the first chest pain
then it multiplied until I was somewhere between consciousness and
unconsciousness, I saw my life flash before my
eyes."

Oh geez.

I won't bore you with my childhood
or Carlton," she continued. "There was Jacob, only a few moments
old, pure and screeching in my arms. He was such a beautiful baby.
And I could see how much he loved me. Me--with all my faults. Me
that needed someone that cared so badly." Her eyes were filled with
tears and one dashed down her cheek. "I remembered everything I
missed, every time I hurt him and that was the biggest regret of my
life. And you are my second."

I froze, sure I'd misheard her.
"What?"

“When I first heard about you,
learned how in love Jacob was with this feisty young woman, I knew
that being there for the two of you was my second chance. At that
point, Jacob and I hadn't talked for nearly three years and the
fact that he wanted me to meet you was an olive branch I didn't
deserve.

I won't go into the same spiel about
how I thought I was protecting him, because there's no excuse for
things I've said and done to you. But I don't want that to be our
story, Leila. I want to be more than your in-law. I want to be your
friend. I want to give you the best damn wedding this world has
ever seen."

My chin trembled and I bit my lip,
nervous and apprehensive and another emotion I wasn't ready to
attribute to her. Optimistic. Hopeful.

I still didn't want to do a
monstrosity of a wedding, but she'd just told me her life flashed
before her eyes and she realized she wanted a better relationship
with me. With Jacob. Despite all the things she’d done, it counted
for something.

She was looking at me.

Vulnerable.

Waiting.

I flashed her a smile. "You get some
rest, okay?"

I left the room, seeing Jacob
standing over near the window. He turned, like he could sense me. I
rushed into his arms, not sure if I was ready to trust her, but
knowing I could trust his arms.

"I take it she told you how her life
flashed before her eyes and she saw the error of her ways." He
stroked my back, knowing just where to touch me to help me relax."I
want to believe this time is different, but I've been burned by her
before."

I knew he was waiting for an answer
from me, but I didn't have one. I wasn't sure if her near death
experience meant she changed or should get a pardon or even
deserved one.

"Just hold me," I sighed.

"That I can do." He pressed his lips
against my forehead and started to pull me in before he stopped. "I
forgot to ask you last night because we were...indisposed, but you
told me you wanted to talk about the wedding?"

I looked up into his eyes, the same
shape as his mother's.
I want to give you the best damn wedding
this world has ever seen.

"It wasn't important," I lied. He
brought me back in without another word. Without catching the lie
at all.

Maybe I was a better actress than I
thought.

###

Thank you for taking the time to
read The Billionaire’s Trust. Please consider leaving a review.
--xoxo, A.C.

About the Author

Ava Claire is a sucker for Alpha
males and happily ever afters. When not putting pen to paper or
glued to her e-reader, Ava likes road tripping, karaoke, vintage
fashion, and searching for her own brooding billionaire.

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