Guarded: Sequal to Broken

Twenty

"I'll sell the apartment. I don't want it much anymore anyway. We can find somewhere else to stay. As for Calum's home, if he is in danger despite our break up. Howard you make sure he knows so he can be moved out of that situation." I instruct.

"I will inform him of today's events and his needed responce following court." Howard nods.

"Okay, so we need to find a place for Maddie and her family to stay? Under the radar away from where he or others may find them?" Alice speaks up for the first time.

"Yes. There is Madison, her 18 year old brother Samuel, who will need internet access to complete his senior year if high school online, and her elderly grandparents. Four adults total."

Claire leans in, whispering something to Alice. The two talking behind there hands quietly for a long minute.

"My husband and I would happily accommodate the four of them in our home in SnowFlake, Arizona. It's a small city, quiet, a bit outside the Phoenix/Mesa metropolis. There they could stay hidden away from prying cameras, and life. Samuel would be able to finish his schooling, as well as stay in contact with those who are pursuing him for college football oportunities. We would be happy to do so. And I don't feel as if you could find much better in terms of under the radar unless you sent them to live in an isolated cabin in the woods somewhere." Claire offers.

"Whoa. We can't impose like that. Four more adults living in your home? We don't even know each other, despite our blood relation." I reply first, the offer far too much for her to give so freely.

"Another bonus, we would be able to get to know the niece who was taken from us twenty years ago. Along with the lucky young man we get to call nephew. My 17 year old son would love to have another boy around the family, and his two older sisters will be thrilled to visit, knowing you are back in our lives. Of course neither one of them remembers you, but they all know of you." Claire waves me down.

"I have cousins?" I can't help but smile.

"Three of them." Alice nods, "We would love to have you all in SnowFlake for as long as is needed. We lost twenty years with you, Maddie and we want to change the way our relationships with you are."

"I think it's a good plan." Howard nods, "Plus, then David can meet with the three of you when necessary and we can fight this war as a united front. Three accusers and three lawyers."

"Would we be able to get Sam, Grams, and Gramps to Arizona tonight?" I ask, agreeing it doesn't sound like the most unreasonable idea, though it still seems like far too much.

"We could get all of you there." David nods.

"I need to swing through LA. I know it might be a bit risky, but everything I have of my parents and my own is still at Calum's house. I can't leave it all there."

"We will get your family to Arizona, you and I can go back to LA tonight and get you on a flight to Arizona tomorrow." Howard nods, "I would suggest if you are going to travel through LAX that while in LA we get your hair changed. Arrival in LA will be noticed with the publicity the break up is getting, if you arrive with your natural dark hair but leave with light it will be easier to get you out unnoticed."

"We will also turn off your cell phones, getting you all new numbers for the duration of your time underground. It would be advised not to contact anyone who knows you. If they don't know anything. There is nothing to get out of them." Andrea nods.

"Okay, so that's sorted. We will listen to whatever is suggested to keep us safe from him. Now how do we win this fight? What are you two bringing to the table that I'm not already bringing."