Page 50 of Save Me
Brock felt Amber’s knees go weak and reached over to hold onto her. “What?” she asked.
“We have him in custody. It appears that the news report telling the world that you’re from a very wealthy family set him off. He believes you’ve known this for years and is demanding his fair share of your family’s riches,” his father finished.
Amber groaned. “Shit.”
“He was high or drunk off his rocker. We’re not sure how he got down here since there was no car…” His father shook his head.
“His license was taken away last year,” Amber said. “Most likely his latest fling drove him. If we’re lucky, she abandoned him here,” Amber said, walking over to lean on the railing.
“Those security cameras you hung up did the trick. He barely made it in the front door, which, by the way, needs to be replaced. He shattered it before we were on him. Until it can be replaced, why don’t the three of you plan on staying here.”
He looked towards Amber, who nodded her head slightly. “Thank you,” she said.
His father slapped him on the shoulder. “I’ll arrange for the door to be fixed. Your mom’s been wanting to add a few updates to the place anyway,” he said before walking inside.
Brock wrapped his arms around Amber as they looked out over the water.
“Things are going to get complicated now. Aren’t they?” she said with a sigh.
“They don’t have to be. You’ve already won the battle with him once. With this against him, no judge would allow him near that little girl,” he said confidently.
“You’re right.” Amber nodded. “I know you’re right.”
He turned her in his arms and kissed her. “I was going to tell you later, but…” He searched her eyes and felt that it was the right time. “I love you. I love both of you. I want to be in your lives. If you’ll have me.”
Amber smiled up at him, and he felt her arms tighten around him. “Yes,” she said, and he watched tears fill her eyes. “Yes, we’d like that too.” She nodded and then lifted on her toes and kissed him. “We love you too.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Thanks to Brock’s parents, she was getting used to her new name. Well, her original name. Kim made a point to use it often and even had Emma dancing around singing a silly tune using it, which was very catchy and annoying at the same time.
They had arranged for the front door on the pool house to be replaced since eighty percent of it had been stained glass and was now, apparently, in pieces. She wanted to pay for the damages Carl had caused, but neither of them would hear of it and mentioned that the costs would be covered by their insurance.
They’d also hired a service to go in and clean the rental so she could have the week off. Kim had arranged for a few upgrades in the pool house. New security systems were being put in as well as some high-tech internet service and cable television. Even if she wasn’t going to use it, Kim wanted it there just in case. Even the pool was getting cleaned by a service while she was away.
She knew that it was at a great cost to the Millers and tried to object. She couldn’t really afford to take time off, as she was trying to save up for Emma’s birthday gift, but they insisted that she would be paid for the time anyway. Kim claimed that since they were having all the carpets professional cleaned and the place was being fumigated for termites, that she and Emma would have had to be out of the building anyway.
She knew what the Millers were doing and figured that she’d enjoy their kindness for now. After all, there was a lot she could do to repay them in the future.
For the next two days, she and Emma enjoyed their time off and time with Brock’s family. They even spent a fun day at the beach.
They received an email update from Judge Reeves, who, after being assigned Carl’s case against Amber, and hearing about Carl’s arrest, threw his new case out completely.
She was getting so used to her new identity that she even thought of herself as Amber Oswald in her sleep.
They ran into Beth and Tilly the last night they were going to be staying with the Millers. They had all piled in the car and driven to Key West to eat at Oscar’s.
“Amber.” Beth rushed to her and hugged her, shifting Johnathan in her arms to do so. “I saw the news.” Her friend smiled at her. “How are you doing?”
She smiled. “Better. Thanks for calling me Amber.” She tickled Johnathan’s cheek. The little boy giggled and held onto her finger.
Instantly, she wished for another child and her eyes landed on Brock, who was talking to a few locals while he held Emma in his arms. Maybe a boy this time. One that looked like Brock, she thought with a smile.
“The name suits you. So does whatever is making you look so relaxed and happy.” Beth waved her fingers over Amber’s face, then leaned closer and whispered. “Must be all thanks to Brock.” She nodded to where he stood laughing.
“It is,” she admitted. “And the mini vacation we’re having. Which ends tomorrow,” she added with a slight groan.
“There’s been a slew of workers coming and going at the rental in the past two days. I heard about the break-in. I’m so happy your ex is rotting in a cell,” Beth added.
