Page 122 of Starcrossed Colorado

When I pulled my phone out, I found messages from Grace and Callum. Photos, to be exact. News about a sighting of Ayla Maxwell in Silver Ridge had hit social media about an hour ago,and even more reporters than before were swarming outside my building, like they were multiplying. Maybe they’d already been on their way, but still.

Dammit.

“What’s wrong?” Emma asked.

I turned my phone around to show the others. “The media somehow found out about the guest who’s staying at my place. Local police are trying to rein them in, but this is bad. There’s no way the media will leave us alone now.”

Jessi cringed. “From the other stuff we’ve been seeing online, I’m assuming your guest is your famous sister-in-law?”

“She turned up last night, begging for a place to stay. But my apartment is hardly equipped to handle the attention a superstar celebrity gets. I don’t think Silver Ridge is ready for this, either.” My stomach swirled with unease. “My little girl is there, probably scared by all the noise and chaos.”

I had zero regrets about coming to find Emma, but I needed to get back to Maisie. And I also needed a solution to this mess. Kicking Ayla out on the street wasn’t an option, because she was family. Even if I’d denied that fact for a long time, it was undeniable now.

“We might be able to help,” Aiden said.

“I need a discreet, secure place for Ayla. And probably a twenty-four-hour professional bodyguard detail.” I waved a hand. “Do you have that tucked away somewhere around here? If not…”

Aiden grinned. First time I’d seen that expression on the man. “Come with me next door, and we can talk.”

“Emma! Did you pursue your professor’s husband?”

“Emma, did you start dating Ashford because you knew his connection to Ayla? Were you hoping to make your own shot at fame?”

I kept Emma in front of me as we pushed through the gauntlet of reporters to our door. “Get off my property,” I growled. Plus a few other choice words. Videos of me would end up online, but I couldn’t help myself. They were messing with my girl.

Luckily, Stella’s barking drowned out most of what I had said. I was carrying her big furry body in my arms. Callum held the front door open for us, taking Emma’s bag as she rushed inside. I followed.

Callum gave her a one-armed hug. “Glad you’re back, Emma.”

“Me too.”

I set Stella on the ground and made sure the door was locked and all the curtains were drawn. Then I enclosed Emma in the circle of my arms, dipping to kiss her temple. “You all right?”

“Fine. But that was bonkers. I don’t see how Ayla lives that way.”

“When we get upstairs, you can ask her.”

Emma shivered. “So weird. I can’t believe I’m about to meet Ayla Maxwell. I’d better get my fan-girling out of my system.”

“She’s very much human. Just like the rest of us.” Mistakes and all.

“Do you think she’ll sing my favorite song of hers for me? I’ve never heard her do it a cappella.”

I lifted my eyebrow.

“Okay, maybe I shouldn’t ask the first day we meet.”

I had to kiss her again because she was adorable. I didn’t know how I could love her more.

Callum carried Emma’s bag. Upstairs, Grace was in the kitchen, stirring something in a heavy pot and something else in a skillet. Food sizzled. The air smelled like cooking meat and garlic.

The moment we walked in, Maisie came running, and Stella let out a happy bark.

“Emma! You’re here!” Maisie jumped into Emma’s arms, nearly knocking both of them over. “I can’t wait for you to meet my aunt Ayla. She sings just like that lady on your phone.”

Emma set down Maisie, who fell to her knees and hugged Stella.

“Little busy around here,” Callum said, moving around them. My small entryway had never been this full.

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