Karly walked into the office the next day and sat down. Hayley, Matt, and Dana came in.
“Hayley told us what happened,” Matt said.
“Are you okay?” Dana asked.
“I'm fine, just more of a scratch than anything,” Karly said.
“Your father faked his death,” Dana said.
“That guy was never a father to me,” Karly said.
“Eric told me last night that never wanted a daughter,” Hayley said.
“I was just a mistake,” Karly said.
“He shouldn't have been a father in the first place if he didn't love all his kids,” Matt said.
“He only wanted Austin and Eric,” Hayley said.
“I was an accident apparently,” Karly said.
“But a good one, it was like you were born for Luke,” Hayley said.
“I guess that's why I was born, for him,” Karly said.
“He loves you so much,” Hayley said.
“And I love him,” Karly said.
“Is your arm going to be healed in time for Henry's show?” Matt asked.
“What about her arm?” Henry asked.
“I got shot at yesterday,” Karly said.
“By who?” Henry asked.
“Her father who had faked his death but he is dead for real this time,” Hayley said.
“How bad is it?” Henry asked.
“The bullet just grazed my arm,” Karly said.
“We will see how things look when the day is here,” Henry said.
“Karly!” Luke said.
“Hey babe,” Karly said.
“You left without me again,” Luke said.
“I needed to get here early and you were sound asleep,” Karly said.
“But you always wake me up before you get ready,” Luke said.
“I know but I needed to get here and I didn't want to wake you,” Karly said.
“Luke, as you can see, she's fine, she's safe,” Hayley said.
“I know, I just like bringing her to work and hanging with her,” Luke said.
“You should go check on the clubs,” Hayley said.
“Drew and Sam got them covered and only call me if anything requires my attention,” Luke said.
“Hayley, it's fine, it makes him feel better if he's near me,” Karly said.
“You like spoiling your husband, don't you,” Hayley said.
“I'm not spoiling him,” Karly said.
“Whatever,” Hayley said.
“Karly, let me know how your arm is the day before the show,” Henry said.
“I will,” Karly said. Henry left. Matt and Dana left the office. Hayley sat down.
“What sis,” Luke said.
“Um so I called and told Mom and Dad everything,” Hayley said.
“Why did you do that?” Luke asked.
“They had the right to know what was going on here,” Hayley said.
“I bet they are coming back huh,” Luke said.
“Yes we did,” Peter said.
“Be honest is always a good thing,” Barbara said.
“We didn't want to ruin your trip,” Luke said.
“Luke,” Barbara said.
“What Mom,” Luke said.
“We love you guys and want to be here for you,” Barbara said.
“It's all fine, Mom,” Luke said.
“It was just a graze,” Karly said.
“But the shock to see your father alive must have been hard to bear,” Peter said.
“He was never a father to me,” Karly said.
“So what happens with the will now?” Barbara asked.
“It stays the same, the lawyer didn't make the changes their father wanted him to,” Luke said.
“So we will have a grandchild soon?” Peter asked.
“We will start next month,” Karly said.
“She was on the pill, she's got to wait for it to be out of her system,” Luke said.
“Eric and I are going to start trying as well as so are Austin and Abby even though their child won't be your grandchild,” Hayley said.
“Nonsense,” Peter said.
“We told Austin and Abby they were family too,” Barbara said.
“Their child will have grandparents, her parents and us,” Peter said.
“We have plenty of love to go around,” Barbara said.
“I will let them know,” Karly said.
“Mom, Dad, want me to get one of the rooms ready for you guys?” Hayley asked.
“I can do it, honey,” Barbara said.
“You guys just got here and been traveling, you both need to rest,” Hayley said.
“Okay, dear,” Barbara said. Hayley took her parents home. Luke came over and hugged Karly.
“I love you,” Luke said.
“I love you, too,” Karly said. He went and sat on the couch and she went over some papers and photos.

CHAPTER 59

Two weeks later, it was the day of the fashion show and backstage was busy with getting the models into the line to walk. Karly was putting the finishing touches on Dana's dress and she got in line. Henry came over to her.
“Karly, go get into the dress,” Henry said.
“I'll help you, sis,” Abby said. Karly and Abby went to the dressing room and Abby helped her into the wedding gown she was wearing.
“This is beautiful,” Abby said.
“I know, he's starting a bridal collection and this is the first dress,” Karly said.
“Amazing, I can't wait to see the rest,” Abby said. Karly's phone beeped. She looked at it.
“What is it,” Abby said.
“Luke telling me that he has a front row seat with your husband and Eric,” Karly said.
“He won't be able to take his eyes off you,” Abby said.
“He never does anyways,” Karly said.
“Okay, I think you are ready,” Abby said.
“Okay,” Karly said. Henry came in and smiled.
“Beautiful!” Henry said.
“Time yet?” Karly asked.
“Almost, come on,” Henry said. They walked out and everyone saw Karly and smiled and whistled.
“Yes, it's a wedding gown, I'm starting a bridal collection and this is my first one,” Henry said.
“It's beautiful, babe,” David said.
“David!” Karly said. They hugged gently.
“I missed you too sweetie,” David said.
“This is Abby, my sister-in-law,” Karly said.
“I married Austin,” Abby said.
“He is a lucky guy,” David said.
“Yes he is,” Abby said.
“Okay, Karly, you ready?” Henry said.
“I guess so,” Karly said. The announcement was made and she walked the runway. She saw Luke gazing at her and she blew him a kiss as she walked to the end and showed off the dress as the photos were taken. She waited as everyone came out to stand on the runway with her for the final pictures. Henry came to the front and stood with Karly. Everyone walked to the back and went to change. Abby and Hayley helped Karly out of the gown and she put her other clothes back on and came out and saw Luke talking with Austin and Eric. He saw her and smiled and she ran into his arms.
“Baby, you were gorgeous,” Luke said.
“Thank you,” Karly said. He kissed her softly. She rested her head against his shoulder.
“Hey sweetie,” David said.
“Sweetie?” Luke asked.
“Yeah, he calls me that, this is David, as in Henry's David,” Karly said.
“Nice to meet you, I'm Luke,” Luke said.
“Nice to meet you, too,” David said
“Hey guys,” Henry said.
“Awesome show, babe,” David said.
“Thank you, I couldn't have done it without Karly and her crew,” Henry said.
“I would say your show was a hit, your designs were amazing, I've already heard the rave reviews,” Karly said.
“I had some reporters ask why we held it here at a club, I said well for one, it was what I could get at short notice and the club is owned by an amazing business woman who not only showcased her models, she stepped in when I needed her the most,” Henry said. Karly smiled and hugged Henry.

CHAPTER 60

Karly and Luke went to his office at the club while the clean up crew was cleaning up. He lifted her up and sat her on the bed and stood in front of her. He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her deeply.
“You are absolutely gorgeous and amazing,” Luke said.
“Thank you, handsome, I guess you liked the show,” Karly said.
“I liked seeing you, I didn't look at anyone else, I waited to see my beautiful wife,” Luke said.
“I love you,” Karly said.
“I love you,” Luke said. There was a knock at the door.
“What!” Luke said.
“Hey boss and boss lady,” James said.
“Hi James, what's up?” Karly asked.
“Boss, they are back,” James said.
“Who?” Luke asked.
“Amber's parents,” James said.
“They don't get the hint,” Karly said. Karly walked out of the office and saw Alan and Alice.
“Alan, Alice, what is it now, I told you we don't know where Amber is and we don't want to know,” Luke said.
“She can stay as far away from here for all that matters,” Karly said.
“We can't let it go, Luke, Karly, we need to find our daughter,” Alice said.
“We just saw the doctor today, Alice has cancer and there is nothing that can be done,” Alan said.
“We are sorry to hear that but there is nothing we can do to help you with finding Amber if no one knows where she is, the trail went cold after she left her friend's house,” Luke said.
“I don't think you would want Luke to find her to why come to him,” Karly said.
“Because you two are hiding something about our daughter,” Alan said.
“We saw your mom yesterday and what she told me didn't match what you guys have been saying,” Alice said.
“Maybe because she doesn't know any more than me and Karly do,” Luke said.
“We hired a private investigator,” Alan said.
“If Luke couldn't find anything, what makes you think a PI could,” Karly said.
“I have more resources than the pi and I couldn't find her,” Luke said.
“The pi will keep her alive,” Alice said.
“And you think I wouldn't,” Luke said.
“No, you would want her dead for what she did and what she was going to do,” Alan said.
“We want to see her get the help she needs, and I want to be able to say goodbye to her,” Alice said.
“She will not get the help she needs, she will pretend to get better and come after me again, she won't stop until I'm out of the way, she wants Luke and nothing would stop her from getting to him, I'm sorry, Alan, Alice, but if I ever see her again, she is getting a bullet in the head,” Karly said. Karly turned and walked into the office and close the door. Luke stood there looking at the door and looked back at Alan and Alice.
“Luke,” Alice said.
“She is right about the part where she won't stop until she gets what she wants, I can't let that happen, I love my wife and I will protect her with my life, do what you need to do, but I can't help you anymore and neither can Karly, I will not let anything happen, goodbye,” Luke said. Luke turned and walked into the office while James escorted Alan and Alice out of the club. Luke walked in and saw Karly curled up on the couch.
“I don't know how much longer I can do this,” Karly said.
“What baby?” Luke asked.
“Going on and on about Amber, acting like she's still alive,” Karly said.
“Baby we have to,” Luke said.
“I know, it's like a broken record with them, when are they going to leave us alone about it,” Karly said.
“When they get the answers they are looking for or when they find her,” Luke said.
“I think we need to tell them the truth,” Karly said.
“NO!” Luke said.
“I can't keep this up, one day I will crack and I'm scared,” Karly said.
“Baby, you are strong, you won't crack, you haven't yet and you won't,” Luke said.
“We need to talk to Mom and Dad and see what story they told them,” Karly said.
“Yeah, let's go baby,” Luke said. They left the club and went to the main house and knocked. Hayley opened it and saw them.
“Hey guys,” Hayley said.
“Hey sis, Mom and Dad still up?” Luke asked.
“We are in here son,” Peter said. Luke and Karly went to the living room where Peter and Barbara were sitting with Eric. Hayley came behind them and they all sat down.
“We had another visit from Amber's parents again,” Karly said.
“Mom, what story did you tell them?” Luke asked.
“I told her that she was traveling the world to get over you and to clear her head,” Barbara said.
“Crap,” Karly said.
“Mom, we told them a different story,” Luke said. He told them what they have been telling Amber's parents.
“Now they have hired a pi to find her, Alice has cancer and there is nothing that can be done,” Karly said.
“We can tell them that we found her, but it was too late, she was dead, and we can say it was suicide,” Peter said.
“They won't buy that,” Eric said.
“Alice won't for sure,” Karly said.
“Well, I'm not letting my baby girl go to prison,” Barbara said.
“I have an idea,” Karly said.
“What baby?” Luke asked.
“Frame someone,” Karly said.
“What,” Luke said
“We manufacture evidence to frame someone for her murder,” Karly said.
“Who,” Hayley said.
“I know,” Eric said.
“You agree with me,” Karly said.
“Sis, I know who you are thinking,” Eric said.
“Who?” Luke asked.
“My ex,” Karly said.
“We can make it like he killed her before he died because he found out that she was trying to kill Karly and to make up for his past mistakes, he made sure she would never try again,” Eric said.
“That's perfect,” Hayley said.
“Yes!” Karly said.
“But how would we explain how he could have known about her,” Luke said.
“I could say that I said something about her and what she tried to do the last time he came to see me,” Karly said.
“I'll get the ball rolling,” Peter said.
“I'll make some calls,” Luke said. He made some phone calls.

CHAPTER 61

The next day, Karly was at the office with Luke and Eric when Hayley came in with Alice, Alan, and their pi.
“This is our pi, James, you said you had information on Amber,” Alan said.
“I'm Luke Stone, this is my wife, Karly, her brother, Eric, his wife, Hayley, who is also my sister,” Luke said.
“Hello, from what you told Alan and Alice, you have information on Amber,” James said.
“I have a friend on the police force, I asked him to look into Amber's disappearance, he was also working on another case involving a man Karly was in a relationship with, his name was Jason, he was killed in a botched robbery at his apartment, he said he found evidence about Amber but he didn't put it together until I talked to him about Amber,” Eric said.
“Where's our daughter?” Alice asked.
“They found evidence that he killed her,” Eric said.
“NO!!” Alice said. Alan hugged her close.
“Why?” Alan asked.
“Because of me,” Karly said.
“Jason cheated on Karly and abused her, he got help and wanted to make up for what he did to her, in one conversation with Karly, she said something about Amber trying to kill her but shot my mom instead and we assume he wanted to make sure Amber didn't try to kill Karly again,” Luke said.
“I had no idea after that conversation that he would go do something like that,” Karly said.
“Where did he bury her?” Alice asked.
“That we don't know but we got guys working with the police and searching some areas,” Eric said.
“Oh god my baby girl!” Alice said.
“You said the police found evidence in his apartment,” James said.
“Yes, we don't know exactly what it says, all my friend said was that they found a woman's shirt and he showed me a picture and it looked like the one Amber had on the night she shot my mother-in-law and there was blood on it,” Eric said.
“How come you just now helping us figure out what happened to our daughter,” Alan said.
“Because we are tired of telling you the same thing over and over again, I assure you that we didn't know what happened to her until now, we assumed she was on the run, we didn't know Karly's ex killed her,” Luke said.
“Thank you for helping them figure out what happened to their daughter, I will let the police handle everything, so my work here is done,” James said.
“Thank you, James,” Alice said.
“Thank you, James, I will pay you for your time,” Alan said. James left. Alan and Alice looked at them.
“Thank you for what you found out about our daughter,” Alice said.
“We will leave now and have a good life, all of you,” Alan said. He and Alice left. Eric hugged Hayley and he went back to work. Hayley went back to her desk. Luke hugged Karly and sat down on the couch.

CHAPTER 62

Karly finished up what she needed to and got her stuff together and smiled at her husband.
“Ready babe?” Karly asked.
“Always ready for you baby,” Luke said. They held hands as they walked out of the building.
“You don't mind stopping at the club tonight?” Luke asked.
“No, I'm sure you have paperwork to do that you aren't getting done by hanging out with me at the agency,” Karly said.
“Yeah I know, but I like being with you and you know nothing will change when you are carrying our child,” Luke said.
“I know I know,” Karly said. They walked into the club and went to his office. Luke sat down to do the paperwork. Karly went to the bar and sat down. James was behind the bar.
“Hey boss lady,” James said.
“James, you can call me Karly you know,” Karly said.
“I know, Karly, but it should make you feel special because you are the boss too,” James said.
“I know, I would like a martini,” Karly said.
“Coming right up!” James said. He made her drink and she felt someone sit beside her. She looked and saw James.
“Fancy meeting you here,” James PI said.
“I was already here,” Karly said.
“Sorry, was trying a line,” James PI said
“Ain't going to work on me, I'm a married woman, happily I might add,” Karly said.
“And yet you are sitting here alone,” James PI said.
“Oh, I'm not here alone, my hubby is here as well,” Karly said.
“I don't see him anywhere,” James PI said.
“Martini for you, boss lady,” James said.
“Boss lady?” James PI said.
“Yep,” Karly said.
“Boy what are you doing here?” James asked.
“Do I need a reason to see my dad?” James PI said.
“No, you don't, your mom okay?” James asked.
“She's good now why you call her boss lady?” James PI said.
“I own the club with my husband, he's doing paperwork in the office,” Karly said.
“Your husband owns this club?” James PI said.
“Yes,” Karly said.
“And a couple more in the city,” James said.
“So, James or is it James JR?” Karly asked.
“He calls me Jr., I go by James, too,” James PI said.
“Okay, so why is it hard to believe that my husband owns this club,” Karly said.
“I thought being king of the mafia,” James PI said.
“Everything my husband does is on the legal side, he likes to keep the clubs clean, free of gangs, drugs, basically wants them to be a safe place to hang,” Karly said.
“I like this club, not only because my dad works here but it is very cool and fun,” James PI said.
“James, could you get me a whiskey with soda for my hubby,” Karly said.
“Yes, boss lady,” James said. He made the drink and put it in front of her.
“Put it on his tab,” Karly said.
“Already did,” James said.
“Thanks, good seeing you Jr, have a good night,” Karly said. She took the drinks to the office and put his in front of him. He smiled at her.
“Thanks baby,” Luke said. She closed the door and sat down.
“You know that pi that Alan and Alice hired?” Karly said.
“What about him?” Luke asked.
“He's James's son, he is James JR,” Karly said.
“Really?” Luke asked.
“Yeah, he used some cheesy pickup line on me, I told him it never would have worked on me because I am happily married,” Karly said.
“Good thing I wasn't out there,” Luke said.
“Luke, no matter who flirts with me, you are number one in my eyes and my eyes are always on you,” Karly said.
“Karly,” Luke said.
“What baby,” Karly said.
“Lock the door,” Luke said.
“Why,” Karly said.
“Because I am going to throw you down on that couch and fuck you,” Luke said. He got up as she locked the door and he removed his clothes and hers and he threw her down on the couch and got on top of her and thrusted hard into her body. He went fast and hard. She held onto him as he pounded her wetness.
“Luke!” Karly said.
“Come for me, baby,” Luke said. She came around him as he released everything he had into her body. He collapsed on top of her.
“Oh god baby,” Luke said.
“I know,” Karly said.
“I love you,” Luke said.
“I love you, too,” Karly said. He got up and got dressed and helped her get dressed and pulled her over to the chair and he sat down with her in his lap.
“I don't know how much you will get done with me in the way,” Karly said.
“I'm almost done, and I want you close because when we get home, we are going to bed and not moving until Monday,” Luke said.
“What about eating!” Karly said.
“I'll have something to eat,” Luke said. He nibbles her shoulder.
“I'm talking about food,” Karly said.
“Me, too,” Luke said.
“Luke!” Karly said.
“What,” Luke said.
“You are insatiable,” Karly said.
“I can't help it, you are so incredibly sexy, I want you 24/7,” Luke said. There was a knock at the door. Karly got up and opened the door.
“What do you want,” Karly said.

CHAPTER 63

“I came to speak to Luke,” Nicole said.
“What reason would you have to speak to my husband,” Karly said.
“Karly, please,” Nicole said.
“Fine, but it will be in front of me, I'm not leaving you along with him,” Karly said. Karly sat on the couch as Nicole came in. Luke sat at his desk.
“What do you want now, Nicole,” Luke said.
“My job back with your private plane,” Nicole said.
“I thought you had a job,” Luke said.
“It didn't pay as much and I just have guardianship of my niece while my brother and sister-in-law are overseas in the army for two years and they didn't want to uproot her life here, she just started kindergarten and you pay even when you aren't flying and I will have more time with her and the money from the army isn't nearly enough to hell with her needs, she has asthma,” Nicole said. Luke looked at Karly.
“What do you think, love?” Luke asked.
“Okay, Nicole, you have your job back with my husband and the family but know that he is my husband and you will do your job professionally and if you so much as flirt or wink or anything, I will knock you out,” Karly said.
“I promise,” Nicole said.
“First day back is Monday, Drew and Sam are flying to Miami,” Luke said.
“Okay, thank you!” Nicole said. She left and Karly looked at Luke.
“Wow,” Karly said.
“I know, let's go home,” Luke said. They left the office and talked with James and went home and locked up and he carried her up the stairs and removed their clothes and he kept his word about keeping her in bed all weekend only getting up for food. Monday morning, she got up and got dressed and woke him up.
“You going with me?” Karly asked.
“Yeah,” Luke said. He got up and got dressed and they went to the agency and she sat down at her desk and saw a Manila envelope sitting there. She opened it and saw pictures of Luke outside a building. She saw the letter. She looked at Luke.
“Luke?” Karly asked.
“Yeah baby,” Luke said.
“What is this,” Karly said. He saw the pictures and looked at her.
“Pictures of me outside a building, why would someone send you pics of me,” Luke said.
“They sent a letter, these were taken outside Jason's apartment building, shows you coming out,” Karly said.
“Karly,” Luke said.
“You lied to me, didn't you, you killed him!” Karly said.
“Karly, no I didn't, he was dead when I got there, I was going to talk, that's it,” Luke said.
“How do I know that you aren't lying to me now,” Karly said.
“Karly,” Luke said.
“I can't believe this,” Karly said.
“Karly, I swear to you that I didn't lie to you, I didn't kill him and I wasn't going to, I was just going to talk to him,” Luke said.
“Unbelievable,” Karly said.
“I was the one who called the police, they were already on the way when his mom found him,” Luke said.
“Why did you have to lie to me? Why couldn't you tell me you went there!” Karly said.
“I didn't know how you would react,” Luke said.
“See how I'm reacting now, it would have been a little better if you told the truth from the start!” Karly said.
“Karly please,” Luke said.
“Just go, Luke, just leave,” Karly said.
“Karly, how will you get home, I drove you here remember and I am not leaving,” Luke said.
“GET OUT!” Karly yelled.
“No, Karly, I can't,” Luke said.
“What is going on,” Hayley said. Karly handed her the photos and the letter. Hayley read it and looked at her brother.
“Luke, you were at Jason's,” Hayley said.
“He was already dead when I got there, I swear on Mom's life,” Luke said.
“Luke, maybe you should go, I'll bring Karly home,” Hayley said.
“Fine, but please come home,” Luke said.
“Just go,” Karly said. He went out the door. Karly buried her face in her hands.
“I can't believe this,” Hayley said.
“I want to be alone, Hayley,” Karly said.
“Okay, so you want me to call your brothers?” Hayley asked.
“No, I'll call them,” Karly said. Hayley left the office. Karly got her things together and went out the door without Hayley seeing her. She walked down the street to a hotel and checked in under a different name and paid cash. She went to the room and closed the door and put her stuff down and laid on the bed and turned off her phone. She laid there staring at the ceiling trying to figure out what to do.