Soon, he would start the car, slam it into Drive and then jump out before it toppled off the cliff into the murky quarry waters below. Afterward, Lilly Dumont would be reported missing. Her uncle’s car would be found at the bottom of the lake. Or it wouldn’t be found at all. No body would ever be recovered. Lilly would head for New York, take the new name the three of them had chosen for her and Ty would never see her again.

All so Lilly wouldn’t have to leave the safety of Ty’s mother’s foster home and return to her bastard uncle for more abuse. She was only seventeen. She wouldn’t survive a month let alone a year if she returned to her uncle. The man didn’t love her, he loved her trust fund, Ty thought.

“Hurry up, Daniel!” Lilly called back to Hunter, breaking the silence. She was probably afraid he’d lose them in the dark.

“It’s Hunter,” their friend and foster brother muttered, loud enough for them to hear.

Ty grinned. Once Ty had told him to go by his last name, the kids at school stopped calling him “Danny Boy” and Hunter quit trying to beat the crap out of anyone who got in his face. Hunter and Ty were like real brothers and Ty looked out for his own. Hunter did the same, which was why Hunter stayed back now, so Ty could have these last few minutes alone with Lilly.

The girl they both loved.

Hunter had never said as much, but Ty knew. He wasn’t sure Lilly did, though. She was so damn innocent despite her attitude and that was what made Ty care about her so much. They weren’t boyfriend and girlfriend but they were something.

Too bad they’d never have time to figure out just what that was.

The locket he’d bought her burned a hole in his pocket. He’d got it so she wouldn’t forget him. Ever. His stomach cramped and he halted suddenly.

Lilly bumped into him. “What’s wrong? Why are you stopping? We aren’t there yet.”