Save Me

6. Danger Zone

(Phoenix's POV)

"Yes, I promise. Everything is going to be just fine, okay? Have I ever lied to you?"

I say into the phone as I pace across Justin's back patio. One of my more anxious clients is spiraling again. Divorce is scary, and his wife has put him through hell — but we're going to win, and she's not getting a cent of his hard-earned money. I'm going to make sure of that. Thankfully, there are no kids involved for her to use as pawns in the evil games she likes to play.

"Exactly. So why would I start now? Listen, I've got a few tricks up my sleeve. She's never going to know what hit her. Now get some rest, alright? We'll talk more soon."

I end my call and walk back inside, sliding the patio door shut and locking it behind me.

"Everything okay?"

Justin asks, approaching me.

"Yeah, it's fine. Just a nervous client. He's in a similar predicament as you, actually. A wife with ulterior motives. Only cares about money. No kids, though."

He raises an eyebrow curiously.

"Really? I know you can't say much because of client confidentiality but can you just tell me — is he going to be okay? Or do you think she'll win and take everything she wants, leaving him with nothing?"

I smile reassuringly at him.

"She won't get a dime."

His face lights up with hope.

"She won't? How did you manage that?"

I chuckle softly.

"Listen, all I can say is — I'm always three steps ahead. Divorce law is my expertise. I chose it as my focus in law school because I know what it's like to watch someone's life be ripped apart by divorce. My birth mom destroyed us, the legal proceedings stressed my dad out so bad it sent him to an early grave. He had a heart attack at only 38 years old. You were shocked I started working so young. That's why. My dad was all I had, and without him, I was all I had. She hated him, and she hated me because I loved him."

Justin's face drops and he steps closer to me.

"Phoenix—,"

"It's okay, Justin. It lit a fire under me. Now I help men in toxic marriages escape with their mental, emotional, and financial well being intact. I work exclusively with men because they are constantly discriminated against by the justice system and I want to help put a stop to that. My dad would be so proud to see me now, and I know he's smiling down from heaven at his little girl. He's the reason I've never lost a case — no one else is being sent to an early grave — not on my watch."

I smile softly at him as he shakes his head in disbelief.

"I'm so impressed by you, Phoenix. I feel like our paths crossed for a reason. I mean, what are the odds that all of the awful events that happened to each of us today would lead to us meeting and having this conversation right now? I think God brought us together. You're a blessing."

I smile again, touched by his words.

"I think He brought us together too."

Spencer reenters the house, walking over to us.

"Hey you two, sorry to interrupt — again. But Hailey and Chaz are refusing to leave so I'm going to have to get the police involved. I think for safety reasons it's best if you both take Jack and go somewhere safe while me and the team handle this. I have the driver parked on the East end of the property, if you head over there now you can leave undetected."

He turns to me specifically, studying my face.

"Sorry to get you wrapped up in this, Phoenix, but this place is a danger zone right now and I want to make sure you're safe too, okay?"

"It's not a problem, I understand."

I say quickly. Justin chimes in happily.

"Spence, Phoenix is a divorce lawyer. I can't wait to tell you her background story later, it's super impressive. She's really brave."

Spencer raises an eyebrow.

"Oh, is that so? I can't wait to hear all about it. But for now I need you to focus – grab Jack and head to the East end of the property, okay?"

He nods, regaining his focus before grabbing my hand and taking me back upstairs. I hold the sill-sleeping Jack in my arms while Justin packs a diaper bag, quickly double-checking if it has everything he needs. Rosalinda enters the room with a few bottles pre-filled with water and a can of formula, slipping them into the bag.

"Thanks, Ro. I would've forgotten those."

He says gratefully, zipping up the bag and slinging it over his shoulder.

"Take care of him. He needs you."

Rosalinda whispers in my ear. Her words confuse me a bit but I nod in agreement and she offers a soft smile, squeezing my hand gently before exiting the room. Justin looks at me, tilting his head slightly.

"What did she say?"

I shake my head.

"Just to be safe."

I answer quickly, deciding to keep the truth to myself until I learn more about what's going on. Something tells me this Hailey girl is a lot more dangerous than I initially thought — that she'll go to great lengths to maintain her control over Justin — and that he'll need my help soon. Justin nods, smiling down at me.

"We'll be fine. My security team is the best money can buy. They're also on the short list of people I can actually trust to look after me and Jack. They'd never leave my side — even if I lost all of my money tomorrow."

I breathe a sigh of relief, relaxing a bit.

"That's really good to hear, Justin. I feel a lot better now."

He smiles reassuringly, guiding me to the East side of the house. We exit through a hidden door that's tucked into a random corner. I'm assuming it was designed for emergencies like this one. Just like Spencer promised, the driver was waiting, silently motioning for us to hurry. Justin straps Jack into his carseat and we both slide in quickly after. The driver takes off down the hidden path, and after about 15 minutes or so, we reach the road — you'd never be able to tell from here that this path led to Justin's home.

"Where to, boss?"

The driver asks, glancing at us in the rearview mirror as he turns onto the busy road. Justin thinks for a moment, unsure, sadness filling his eyes. Outside of his security team and Rosalinda, I know he doesn't have anyone else he can trust to not disclose his location to Hailey or Chaz. I feel a tug on my heart.

"How about my apartment? Our security is a literal SWAT team, you and Jack will be safe there."

Justin perks up, smiling happily.

"Really? Are you sure that's okay?"

"I'm positive."

I turn to the driver, tapping him on the shoulder.

"Yes, Miss Maples?"

"Have you heard of The Archibald?"

"Yes ma'am. I used to drive for someone who lived there. I agree with you, the security is in fact top-notch. Is that where you would like me to take you?"

"Yes, please. Thank you."

"Of course, Miss."

I turn back to Justin, offering a warm smile.

"You both can stay as long as you need to, okay? And even after it's safe for you to leave you can come back anytime."

Justin smiles, studying me for a moment.

"I swear you're my guardian angel."