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“Great.” Amber nodded absently as she picked up her handbagand went to the garage. Her flight was in just two days and there were a few last-minute things she still needed to take care of. Her first stop was the bank where she exchanged dollars for euros, enough to see her through the airports, ground transportation, and tips. Once in France, of course, she would open an account there and transfer some of the Barbados money. She’d made a reservation at an Accor hotel, an anonymous and ubiquitous low-budget chain where Jackson would never think to look for her. She didn’t love the idea of staying there until she got her bearings, but she reminded herself that she had the rest of her life to live in luxury.
From the bank she went to the private vault company where she’d rented a safe-deposit box that was accessible 24/7. Her cash would be safe there until she needed to grab it. Best of all, no keys that she would have to hide, but instead, a code to unlock it. Last, the photography studio to pick up the professional portrait she’d had done of herself with Jax. This would be put in a special album for him along with a letter from Amber to her son explaining why she was forced to leave his father. Something for him to remember her by. She knew Jackson would trash it before Jax was old enough to see and understand it, but she’d make sure to take her own photos of the album and her letter against the day Jax came looking for her. Then she would show him the proof of how excruciatingly heartbreaking it had been to leave him behind. It didn’t occur to her to think too hard about why, in actuality, it was rather easy to leave him. After all, your feelings were your feelings and there was nothing you could do about it. Why feel guilty? Amber had never understood the sentimentality of motherhood. The only reason she’d even had Jax was to snare Jackson. Sure, he was a cute baby and she cared about him. But to give up everything she’d worked so hard for to stick around to change diapers and wipe his nose? No thank you. That’s what nannies were for. When he was older, and capable of intelligent conversation, then she’d reconnect. Maybe take him on some trips with her. But for now, it wouldn’t reallymatter to him anyhow. Kids didn’t even remember anything before the age of five.
—
By the time Amber had finished everything on her list it was two o’clock and she headed home, satisfied that everything was in place.
Amber didn’t hear any annoying baby talk coming from the kitchen so Jax must still be napping. She climbed the stairs to the bedroom carrying all her packages. When she opened the door to the room, she gasped and took a step back. Jackson! Sitting on the bed, smiling, leaning against the headboard with his arms clasped behind his head. Her note was crumpled in a ball on the floor.
“Just read your little love letter. I’m so glad I was able to come say goodbye in person.” His eyes narrowed, and his lips curled in a snarl.
“Jackson…? How are you here?” She dropped the bags. Her panic was so acute that it was difficult for her to breathe.
“Early release for good behavior, my dear. But you don’t seem very happy to see me.”
“Of course I’m glad for you. I know you hated it there. So, you came from the prison straight to the house? The note was just a joke. I thought you’d find it amusing.” She struggled to come up with something, anything, to make him believe her, but came up short.
Jackson flew up from the bed and stormed toward her until he was just inches from her face. “Do you think I’m fucking stupid? I saw the greedy look on your face that day you visited. You couldn’t get out of there fast enough to get to that boat and see what was hiding there.” Now his face was almost touching hers, one hand around her throat. “I found your travel documents. I guess the party I wanted is off the table. You planning a little trip?”
“Jackson, you’re hurting me.” She tugged at his wrist.
“You’re going to hurt a lot more if you don’t produce those diamonds right now,” he hissed, his grip tightening.
When she started to choke, he finally let go. “Where are they?” he said.
“They’re safe, okay?”
“Where the hell are they?”
“Where did you get them?” She was stalling for time.
“None of your damn business. They belong to me. Now tell me where they are.”
“I sold them,” she said.
“You what?” he screamed at her.
“I sold them to a broker in New York. I was paid well. Just a speck more than fourteen million. More than I’d anticipated. Apparently, there was a bidding war over the Fancy Intense blue diamond from South Africa. Extremely rare. But you probably knew that, yes?”
All the color drained from his face, and he said nothing, just staring at her, his eyes glassy. He dropped onto a chair, his left hand cradling his head. “You greedy bitch! You have no idea what you’ve done,” he hissed.
When he finally looked up at her, Amber was shocked. She’d never seen fear etched so intensely across Jackson’s face. “What do you mean?”
His expression changed to one of undisguised fury. “Never mind. Where’s the money, Amber?”
“It’s very safe and offshore. No one will find out about it.”
He exhaled. “I want the account number. Now.”
She tilted her head, suddenly feeling her courage return. “And why, exactly, would I give that to you? I can cut you in, though.”
“What the hell do you mean you’ll cut me in? Enough of this stupid game, Amber. The money belongs to me.” Jackson’s fists were balled so tight that his knuckles were white. She was amused at his struggle to remain calm.
“Oh, but that’s where you’re wrong. Finders keepers. Possession is…well, you know how the rest of it goes.”
He sprang from the chair and lunged at her again, his eyes bulging and his hands once more around her neck. “I’ll fucking kill you.”
Amber began to cough, trying to get air as she pushed against him. She kneed him in the groin, and suddenly he letgo.