Free Brent's Law by Ylette Pearson Page B

thinking with your mind . Now, all the consequences of sleeping with the man had come to fruition and she might face more than just eight weeks without work.
    Outside, Brent and Amber had been arguing for close to an hour. Well, from where she stood, Amber did most of the shouting and Brent interjected with a calm comment here and there. Amber wanted something from Brent.
    The fourth time Amber touched her lower abdomen, something clicked in Samantha’s mind. She narrowed her eyes and paid more attention to the woman’s body language. Yes, there it was again—the slight protective swipe across her tummy. The couch was unusually hard beneath her as her legs refused to carry her farther.
    Why hadn’t Amber mentioned the pregnancy during the divorce? She could have increased her alimony by a substantial amount, but she’d chosen to remain silent. Samantha worried her lower lip. It didn’t make sense. Unless…
    The return of the couple slammed the brakes on her thoughts and her head swiveled to the door where the argument continued in much more sedate tones. Then Brent shook his head.
    “It’s not my problem, Amber. We’ve been through this before, remember?”
    “I also remember years ago you were content with your trophy wife to boost your social standing. You promised to support me whenever this happened. Have you conveniently forgotten that promise now?”
    Brent sighed. “I haven’t forgotten my promise and I would have kept it if we were still married. I’m sorry, Amber, I can’t help you now.”
    Amber pushed Brent’s chest with her forefinger. “How can you say it’s not your problem? All these years I’ve done nothing to hinder your rise to fame, to tarnish the reputation you so desperately clung to. Now, when I need your help, you turn your back on me. How could you?”
    Samantha swallowed as pity for Amber welled up in her throat. Everybody made mistakes. Granted, Amber seemed to make more than most people and hers had far- reaching consequences, but it didn’t seem fair that she should have to pay for them for the rest of her life.
    “Please don’t force me to go to the papers and tell them what a lousy husband you were and how you sped up the divorce to sleep with my attorney. You’ll be finished and so will your friend over there.” Amber’s voice was barely more than a whisper.
    “I refuse to lend you money until the bank releases your funds just so you can go ahead and get another abortion. And if you go to the papers, I’d insist on a paternity test and your game would be up.”
    Tears streaked Amber’s cheeks. “By then the damage would be done. No union would touch you and your rugby playing days would be over. Your precious clients wouldn’t want to do business with a man who renounces his own child. Besides, I don’t want an abortion. I really want this baby.”
    Brent sighed. “If you go to the papers, you won’t get the alimony you crave. Amber, I don’t trust you. Go back to whoever impregnated you and screw them for the money. Heaven knows, you excel at it.”
    His callous words shocked Samantha into rising from the chair. She clamped her mouth shut. It was not her place to interfere, but she couldn’t stand by while he treated her client—ex-client—like dirt. But she had to.
    “But…”Amber stuttered.
    He dug his mobile from his pocket. “Should I call security?”
    For several breathless seconds, the pair glared at each other, then Amber turned toward Samantha, jutted her finger toward her. “I trusted you.”
    Blood drained from Samantha’s face. She had no defense against the accusations and her legal mind had played out all the possible scenarios. Amber had nailed this one. There was no way she’d ever be able to practice her brand of law again should Amber choose to expose her relationship with Brent. Unable to rebut her claim, Samantha just shrugged.
    Brent took Amber by the arm and turned her to face him. His icy whisper chilled Samantha to the bone.