Chapter Sixteen
Camila felt a bit overwhelmed with all the information she was receiving. How was she going to decide what to do with the houses and money?
Drake squeezed her to get her attention. “Love, please don’t stress about this. You have all the time in the world to make decisions.”
She relaxed and nodded. He was right. She didn’t have to take any steps until she was ready.
“Jeremiah has more news.”
The lawyer slid another paper to her. She read it and then reread it. “What does this mean?”
“It means,” Jeremiah said. “All four family members are being charged with a wide range of charges from stealing to identity theft, money laundering, fraud, and embezzlement. It’s enough to put them in prison for years.”
“Oh, wow.” She couldn’t wrap her head around the fact that her family was finally going to get what they deserved.
Drake kissed the side of her head. “What do you think of that, love?”
She tipped her head to look at him. “I think it’s about time, but I feel bad thinking that way.”
“Well, don’t because they deserve everything they’re getting and more.” Drake grinned. “Imagine your sisters in orange jumpsuits.”
Camila burst out laughing. “Oh, my God. They’ll hate that. So will my parents.”
“Good.”
She stiffened. “I won’t have to go back, will I?” The thought of being in the same room as them made her nauseated.
“Not if I can help it,” Drake said.
“I really doubt they’ll need you to testify. The charges they have right now don’t involve you,” Jeremiah said.
She nodded. “Good.”
She felt Drake kiss the back of her head.
“I think that’s it for now, baby.”
“Can I go out in the garden? I’m helping put in bushes.”
“As long as you don’t overdo it,” Drake said.
“I won’t.” She went to stand, but then gasped when Drake pulled her back down on his lap and kissed her with a passion that always left her breathless.
When he lifted his head, he grinned down at her.
“Now, you may go,” he said.
He lifted her off his lap.
She stopped near the lawyer’s chair. “Thank you for helping us.”
“Of course, honey. I’m always here if you need me.”
“I’m glad we have friends like you in our lives,” she said.
She waved and walked out of the room.
For the rest of the day, she dug in the dirt and listened to the few men helping talk about sports, but her mind was on the fact that her family would be behind bars soon.
She’d never admit to anyone how happy she was.
It might make her a bad person, but she didn’t care.
If they were in prison, they wouldn’t be able to just show up at the ranch.
She hadn’t realized how much she worried about it until Drake told her about them breaking the law. Now, she felt freer than she ever had before, and it made her almost giddy.
Camila was showering before dinner when she felt a large, hard body press against her back. She smiled and leaned back against her dom when his arms wrapped around her.
“I heard you humming, love. I don’t think I’ve ever heard you do that,” Drake said.
She thought about it for a moment and then nodded. “You’re right.”
“I like it. It makes me glad to hear you are so happy.”
She turned in his arms. “I’m always happy with you.”
He smiled and kissed her forehead. “I know, but now that your family will be out of your life forever makes you content. Like, you can really let down your guard.”
“You’re right. I hadn’t realized how much I let them affect my everyday life,” she said.
“I think you buried a lot to protect yourself. A lot of people would have broken down if they had been abused like you had. You’re stronger than you think.”
She wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest. “Thank you.”
He rested his chin on the top of her head. “For what, love?”
“For being my ... everything. You’ve made me into a person I never thought I could be. Self-assured, confident, hopeful, and peaceful.”
“You did that on your own,” he said as he tipped up her head with the side of his hand. “I was just here as backup.”
“You were... I mean more than that. You’re my rock. I don’t ever feel scared when I’m with you.”
“I’m glad to hear that. You’re the center of my world, little sub. I can’t imagine my life without you. I want to be eighty and sit next to each other on rockers watching our grandchildren playing in the yard.”
It was a dream she’d had for many years, and the fact that it would come true made her want to burst. “I want that, too.”
He smirked. “I know.”
She snorted and then rolled her eyes. “You’re such a ... dom.”
He slapped her bare ass. “You better believe it.”
She squealed at the sting. “That was mean.”
“Naw. You deserved it. You know it’s impolite to roll your eyes at your dom.”
She smiled at him. “I’m sorry.”
He shook his head and chuckled. “I’m sure you are.”
She rose up on her toes and kissed his chin. “Can I make it up to you, Master?”
“Yes. But not right now. We’re going to be late for dinner, but later tonight I’m going to be at you for hours.”
She shivered. “Okay.”
He laughed. “Let’s get out of here before we turn into prunes.”
He helped her dry her body and then her hair before handing her a summer dress and nothing else. She knew better than to complain about the fact that he hadn’t given her a bra or panties. She was at the point of enjoying the freedom it gave her.
“Let’s go,” he said, grabbed her hand, and led her down the stairs and into the dining room.
They sat, and the maids immediately walked out of the kitchen and set salads before them.
“Thank you,” Camila said.
“You’re welcome, Miss Camila,” the maid said before heading back to the kitchen.
They were halfway through their meal when she glanced at Drake. “I have an idea about my uncle’s money.”
Drake wiped his mouth. “Oh, yeah. What?”
“I want to use a bit of it to set up a trust for spaying and neutering the dogs and cats in the area. I might even consider building a rescue because the ones we have fill up quickly and there is nowhere for the animals to go. What do you think?”
He squeezed her hand. “I think it’s perfect and I’ll do whatever I can to help.”
“I love you, Master,” she whispered. She couldn’t have asked for a better life partner.
He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. “And I love you, little sub.”