Page 71 of Royal Flush

“Don’t worry. The team will be better prepped.” He turned to leave, and I shook my head.

This was going downhill quickly, which also added to the risk. I found Ashton’s phone number, not hesitating to dial it. There was no reason for her to answer given it was a California number and could be considered spam.

When she did, I was shocked.

“Ashton Parker.”

“Ashton. My name is Braxton Royal.”

Her voice instantly hitched. “What do you want? I don’t know you.”

“I think you do. In fact, I know you do. Don’t hang up. I know you’re a very good friend of Jasmine and I need you to listen to what I’m going to tell you.”

“Why should I?” The girl was protective. At least I had that going for me in a sense.

“Because her life is in jeopardy.”

Her exhale was a clear indication she was beginning to understand.

“You have two minutes.” Her voice was curt. She had talked with Jasmine. Whether or not my little koala had said much about what was going on remained to be seen.

“I’m well aware that you are close friends with Jasmine and have been since college. And I believe you know she and I are close as well. What you might not know is that she’s in danger. There are some bad men determined to kidnap her.”

“From you. Yes.”

“I can understand why you think that but I’m her only real lifeline at this point. Did she tell you what happened last night?”

Her hesitation meant I was on the right track. “No, she hasn’t yet. What happened?”

“She was almost taken off the street by three men who’d been hired by someone. I assure you they didn’t have good intentions.”

Ashton gasped. “Oh, God. Is she okay?”

“Yes, I was at the same charity event and prevented the jerks from taking her, but they will attempt it again. She doesn’t understand I have her best interest at heart. We don’t know each other that well, but she was angry with me for a callous thing I said. She cannot be on her own.”

“So what do you want me to do about it?”

“I know she contacted you this morning.”

Hearing her sigh, I could tell she had no desire to betray her friend. “Because she trusts me.”

“You’re meeting her somewhere. Aren’t you?”

“She needs some time. You’re pushing her. Her fucking father is pushing her.”

“Time she might not have. Tell me where you’re meeting her.” There was no doubt the girl was in a vehicle of some kind.

“I can’t do that. She’d kill me.”

“Ashton, I get it but what neither of you understand is that if I’m right about the people behind her attempted kidnapping, they won’t care who she’s with or that other people could be hurt. You can’t protect her. Do you want that on your conscience?”

Time was running out.

My gut told me that.

“How do I know you’re not the bad guy?”

I had to laugh. “Because you’re a smart girl and you already looked up my entire family. Didn’t you?”

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