Page 124 of Starcrossed Colorado

I nodded at my sister. “Would you be up for that, G?”

Grace grabbed a blanket and draped it over her head. “Just give me some sunglasses and I’ll be ready for my close-up. Or maybe not, but it’ll be dark.”

Callum scratched his stubbled chin. “Think I’ve seen this same plan in a bunch of movies and TV shows.”

“That’s because it works,” I said. “Callum, you’ll leave with Grace. We’re hoping you two will lead away most of the reporters. Then I’ll escort Emma outside as the second decoy. We’ll head to a different location. Ayla, you’ll leave last with my buddy Judson Lawrence. ”

Ayla pressed her lips into a straight line. “But where will Maisie be?”

“Our chief of police, Teller Landry, and his sister Piper will come get Maisie and Stella before any of us leave. I texted them both earlier, and once I give them the final word, they’ll head over.” Judson was already on his way here. I’d spoken to Elias as well, and he had his own important role to play.

“But I want to stay with Ayla and Emma.” Maisie hugged her aunt around the neck. So much for Dad being her number one. But I was smiling.

“I know, Maisie-doodle,” Emma said, “but you’ll have Stella with you. And then you and your dad and I will meet up afterward.”

“Really?” Now, Maisie looked to me for confirmation. I nodded. Dad was still good for something, at least.

“Ayla, Judson will drive you out near Hartley,” I continued, “where you’ll meet with one of Aiden’s contacts, who will take you to Last Refuge. The rest of the world will have no idea you’re there.”

“And if anyone somehow finds out,” Emma said, “the security team at Last Refuge will protect you for as long as you need. You can stay there until you’re ready to go wherever you want to go. What do you think?”

Ayla stroked Maisie’s hair with a shaky hand. “I’m grateful for this. I really am. You’ve gone to a lot of trouble. But I don’t know any of these men you’re talking about.” She glanced at the window with a pained expression. “Maybe it would be better if I just leave right now. Drive away and let the reporters follow meand…I don’t know. I guess I’ll figure out that part later. I came here without a plan. None of you should have to deal with this.”

Emma exchanged a glance with me. “What if Ashford drives you to the meeting location instead? I can make sure my uncle Aiden is there at the pickup. You can trust him. I swear. You’ll be completely safe the whole time.”

My immediate reaction was to protest. If I drove Ayla personally, I would be separated from Maisie and Emma for several hours.

But they’d be with my friends. There was no way I’d let Ayla drive away by herself, knowing the lengths these tabloid reporters would go to get their story.

“I can do it,” I said. “I’ll drive you, and Judson will go with Emma.” I would reunite with Maisie and Emma afterward as soon as I could. “Agreed?”

Ayla hesitated. But finally, she nodded. “Okay. I’ll do it.”

“Good.” I started sending off texts to Teller, Piper, Judson, and Elias. “We’ll make our move tonight.”

THIRTY

Emma

I watchedfrom the window as Judson arrived in his cowboy hat and snug T-shirt, followed a minute later by Teller and Piper. All three pushed past the throng of reporters on the sidewalk. A couple of Silver Ridge PD officers waved their arms, trying to keep the path clear.

When Ashford let them into the apartment, I grasped Piper in a hug. “Thanks for being here.”

“Hey, the media can take as many pics of me as they want. I did my makeup.” Piper fluttered her lashes.

Judson smiled and touched my arm in greeting, then reached to clap Ashford on the shoulder. “Happy to help.” He was so big that he took up most of the entryway by himself.

Ashford waved Ayla forward. “This is my sister-in-law. Ayla, this is Piper Carmichael. Judson Lawrence. And Chief Teller Landry.”

Teller was in his police uniform, his expression grim. His intense gaze swept over Ayla, taking in her simple tank top and shorts, her long platinum hair in a ponytail. “Soyou’rewho all that fuss is about?”

Her pink lips opened slightly. Then she let out a shocked laugh. “Sorry to disappoint.”

“Would’ve been wiser if you told someone before you showed up here,” Teller said. “We could’ve prepared.”

“I didn’t ask for anyone to make a fuss over me. But isn’t it your job to keep these reporters from harassing your citizens?”

Teller turned to Ashford. “If you weren’t right on the public sidewalk, we would have more leeway to get them away from your building. But this is a touchy situation as it is.”

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