Page 37 of Pick Yourself Up
On the screen, Burke raised his voice. “Claus. We’re all in your debt. Forever. Thank you.”
Her other siblings echoed his words. And then Lawson spoke. “I’m assuming the fuckers are in jail where they belong?”
Beside her, she felt Gray nod. “They are. All part of a crime family in the area trying to get access to a client of the company I worked for.”
More muttering from them all and then Jolie squeezed Amber’s hand. “Is that why you wouldn’t be on camera for our video chats? You were injured and didn’t want us to see?”
Amber looked up to find tears streaming down her sister’s face. She reached out to hug her. “I’m okay now, Joles. Thanks to Gray, I’m okay.”
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Her sister’s voice wobbled.
Amber sighed and tried to find the words. “I didn’t want to worry anyone. It was all over and I was safe. And I’m embarrassed that I’m still scared. I wasn’t permanently hurt and I should have been able to cope.”
“Bullshit.” Burke’s voice cut through and had her looking up to find her oldest brother studying her intently from the screen. “What you went through was horrific. You handled yourself and the situation with courage. Finish it, Amber. Tell us about your injuries.”
She sighed, unable to deny her brother anything that would help him feel better.
Gray’s hand traced patterns over her back as Knox returned to his seat. “They hit me a few times. Kicked me. One of them put a bullet in my leg. It wasn’t serious.”
As she should have expected, there was another explosion of sound and voices.
Gray whistled to get their attention, and everyone quieted. “Easy. This was difficult enough for her without you all yelling.”
She leaned her head onto Gray’s shoulder and borrowed some of his strength. “The doctor took the bullet out without having to put me under. It really was minor. I had a bit of a concussion and bruises, so I waited for them to fade before I used my camera in the video chats. I’m sorry for not telling you earlier. I wasn’t brave enough.”
Another beat of silence and then Lawson spoke. “I think I speak for everyone when I echo Burke’s bullshit. Your actions were courageous, and you have nothing to be ashamed of. We’re proud of you, Amber. And we hope you’re going to let us help you until you feel completely healed.”
That broke the damn on her tears, and they flowed freely as she finally looked at each of the others in the room. “Thank you. All of you. I’m sorry I couldn’t do it earlier, but I’m glad I told you now.”
“Damn right.” Burke’s gruff voice had her smiling.
Then he leaned in. “Any chance you’ll name names so we can go kick a little ass?”
She managed a smile as she shook her head. “Not a chance. They’re in jail where they belong.”
Burke’s smile was brief. “And with help from you and Gray, we’re going to make sure they stay there as long as possible. Now let’s talk about increasing security.”
Lawson nodded. “We need to get the other farmhouse wired with alarms and cameras.”
Knox picked up his phone. “I’ll text Sam at Midnight Security to come out and figure out the best system. He and Troy got us set up here. We’ll do the same up there.”
Amber swiveled from one brother to the next. “We don’t need a security system. Or if we do, I’m paying for it.”
They all shook their heads and Burke replied. “Not a chance, Amber. There’s money in Jay’s farm fund for updates. This is an important one. We should have done it when we did the one where you’re all living.”
They shouldn’t be spending farm money because she was a nervous wreck. “But?—”
“No buts.” The phrase echoed from everyone at the table, making everyone smile. She managed a small one of her own.
Jolie squeezed her hand. “You’ve got Boomer, and Gray will be working a lot in the garden, but this will make all of us feel better. Please, don’t argue.”
Amber looked around the table. She wasn’t going to win this battle, especially when it was a smart decision. “Fine. We can check with your friends and see what they recommend.”
Gray leaned over and whispered. “Good job. Proud of you.” Then he kissed her hair.
This time, Burke’s voice was a growl and had Amber worrying about what else had happened. She looked up to find her brother staring into the screen. “Now, Santoro, looks like it’s time for the hurt my sister and suffer the consequences conversation.”
Everyone laughed. Her tension dissipated, and Gray squeezed her shoulders while he grinned. “Didn’t take long for the forever in your debt talk to be forgotten. Relax guys, we’re good.”
