Page 95 of Starcrossed Colorado

“Trying to find them. And I’m here now.” Ashford aimed a fierce scowl at him. Danny glanced away and shrugged.

“Ashford, my phone?—”

“I found it on the street by the park. When I couldn’t find either of you, I got nervous. Called Grace and Elias. They were a block away at Flamethrower. Came to help me look for you.” He dug into his pocket and handed my device to me.

“Daddy, I want to go home.”

“Sure, monkey. That’s exactly where we’re gonna go.” Ashford lifted her from my arms and into his. Unlike me, he could balance her easily one-handed against his hip. He wrapped his other arm around me.

“Everything’s okay now,” he said. “I promise.”

But the worry in his eyes suggested the opposite. Something more had happened. I just didn’t know what.

We piled into Ashford’s truck. Grace and Elias went back to Flamethrower to grab some food and meet up with us in a bit. We headed back to the Big Blue Monster.

As soon as we got upstairs, Ashford carried Maisie to her room and laid her down. I stopped in the doorway, but he beckoned for me to come in with them.

“There was a scary man,” Maisie said. “I kicked him to make him let go of Emma.”

Ashford petted her head. “You did a good job. But he’s gone now.”

Maisie talked about the scary man on the sidewalk for a few minutes longer. She didn’t mention Ayla. Ashford cast questioning glances at me, though. Like he knew there was a lot more to what had happened, but he didn’t want to ask about it in front of his daughter.

We read her a couple of chapters of her latest book,The Tale of Despereaux, until she was settled, and Ashford agreed to let Stella come in and lay down with her.

“Just until dinner time,” he said. “Emma and I are going out to the living room. We’ll be right there if you need us.”

“Okay, Daddy.”

“Love you.”

“I love you too.”

He closed Maisie’s door most of the way. Then took my hand and walked with me to the couch, where he tucked me tightly against him.

“You have no idea how freaked out I was when I couldn’t find you.”

“You said you were coming to the park, but you hadn’t arrived. And I got this uncomfortable feeling, like somebody was watching us. I decided to take Maisie home. I tried to call you and you didn’t answer. I must’ve been rushing, and that’s why I dropped my phone. I’m sorry.”

He moved my hair back. “No, don’t you dare be sorry. I’m sorry for not being there.”

“Forget about what Danny said?—”

“I don’t give a fuck what Carmichael said. He just enjoys being a dick to me. I got held up with something here, and that’s why I was running late and didn’t answer my phone. That’s on me. Would you tell me what happened?”

I recounted every detail that I could remember about the man on the sidewalk. How he’d asked about Ayla. And how he knew my name. And Maisie’s name.

“He touched you?” Ashford growled. “That’s assault. You should press charges, if you’re comfortable with it.”

“Absolutely. You know I’m a cop’s daughter. I have no problem filing a report. But the police will ask questions. They’ll find out it was about Ayla.”

“Your and Maisie’s safety is more important.” He kissed my forehead. “I’ll text Teller. See if he or one of his officers can take your statement.” Ashford got out his phone and sent off a message.

“What about the rest of what the reporter said? He asked if I knew where Ayla is. Is something going on with her?”

Ashford checked the news. And cursed. “It says Ayla Maxwell canceled the rest of her world tour last night, and has refused to make a statement. What the hell.”

“She hasn’t tried to call you?”

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