Amber choked out a sob. “Blake wants twenty grand in a week or he goes public with the photos.”
Angie raised her eyebrows. “Twenty grand?”
“Yes. I told him there’s no way I can get it, but he says that’s not his problem.”
“Well, there’s no problem.” Angie patted her arm. “I’ll give you the money.”
Amber sighed. What a wonderful friend. “Angie, that’s not why I wanted to talk to you.”
“I know that, honey. I know that. But you need help, and I have the means to help you.”
“But don’t you see? If we give him the money, he’ll just keep holding the photos over my head. When he needs more money, guess where he’ll go? And in the meantime my photos are on the Internet! Without my permission. Hell, without my knowledge!”
Angie scooted her chair closer and wrapped her arms around Amber in a tight hug. “We’ll figure this out, I promise.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I want you to listen to me. There’s someone who can help you.”
“Who?”
Angie let out an exhale. “You won’t like it.”
“I’ll try anything at this point.”
“Harper. You have to tell Harper.”
Chapter Twelve
“Are you crazy?” No way was she telling Harper. He’d never forgive her.
“He’s a lawyer, Amber. He can help.”
“Things are going well with us. I don’t want to risk that.”
“Don’t you see? Harper cares about you. He won’t let anyone hurt you. And he can help. These photos are up without your permission. That’s not legal.”
She gulped. “I know that. But what can I do?”
Angie grasped her hand. “You can tell Harper, and we can go from there.”
Amber’s head jarred at the ring of her cell phone. She didn’t recognize the number.
“Hello?”
“Hello, darlin’. It’s Blake.”
Blake Buchanan. Her body stiffened. “It’s him,” she mouthed to Angie.
“What do you want?”
“Just checkin’ in. Seeing how things are going. I know you’re dining with your friend Angelina Bay Grayhawk. And I know she’s loaded. Did you get my money yet?”
Nausea seized her. He was out there. Watching her. How dare he violate her that way?
She nearly laughed out loud. He’d clearly already thrown caution to the wind by blackmailing her. There wasn’t much he wouldn’t do, was there?
“Don’t call me again.”