Page 71 of Stormswept Colorado

“I have no doubt of that. But this is a different kind of situation. We could be dealing with a dangerous person. He went months with no contact, and suddenly it’s twice in a matter of days.”

“And I refuse to sit here and cower in fear. I spent too many years of my life afraid of my father. I won’t live that way. Not anymore.” With a sudden burst of energy, she grabbed her phone. “I’m going to write back to that email. See if the guy responds and gives something away that we can use.”

“No, you arenot.” I put my hand over hers. “That’s not a bad idea in theory, but let River handle it. He’s the computer expert. Or hell, I’ll write the creep back. You’re not subjecting yourself to that. You need to leave this to us.”

Her gaze was pure steel. “If I backed down every time a man said that to me, I wouldn’t have a career. I’d be some pinup puppet without a brain or a voice of her own. You’d better get used to that, Teller Landry. Because I’m not changing. I’m not fading into the background. Not for anyone, including you.”

Damn. Alright then.

“I apologize.” I moved my hand, and she unlocked her phone. “Will you at least show me what you’re writing to that asshole?”

Ayla side-eyed me. “Yes.” She scooted closer, halfway in my lap again, as she opened her email app and started on a message. Her thumbs paused on the screen keyboard, and she took a deep breath. Preparing herself.

I decided to stay quiet for now and let her think. It was clear how important this was to her. Ayla was taking back her agency, and I’d been a fool to try to stop her.

So long as she didn’t walk into a far more dangerous situation later on. But she was smart. And I didn’t really have a right to boss her around, did I? No matter how much I cared about her safety. Whatever this was between us… I had no idea if it would last beyond tomorrow.

She wrote,I have a lot of fans. What makes you different?

Her finger hovered over the send button. “I can practically hear your brain working. Go ahead and say it.”

I dragged my tongue across my teeth, considering my words. I didn’t love this. Would the stalker take her message as a provocation? A challenge to do something more dramatic to grab her attention?

But the stalker probably wouldn’t be able to resist writingback to her question. Would Ayla really let me and River know when that happened?

I figured River would make sure he had access to monitor any such replies. The guy was a hacker. I didn’t know the specifics of all his skills, but from what I’d read between the lines, they were impressive.

And it made me feel slightly shitty that we might have access to Ayla’s email without her knowing. I would have to tell her.

Eventually.

“It’s good,” I said. “Short enough that he can read what he wants into it. Well done.”

“I don’t need your approval. But…I don’t mind it either.” She hit send and put the phone facedown on the table. A vicious smile played at her lips.

“Feel better?” I asked.

“Yes. I can’t wait for that asshole to write back.”

“It’s possible the stalker will escalate again. You’ll have security when you’re back in LA? Bryan’s going to be out of commission for a while with his concussion. Do you have someone else you can trust?”

“Bryan works for an agency. They provide security at my home in addition to driving me around.”

“So they’re all trained bodyguards at this agency?”

“Yep. That’s why I hired them.” She caressed my jawline, smiling. “It’s sweet how you’re fussing over me.”

“Just want to make sure you’ll be okay without me.”

A hint of uncertainty passed across her pretty eyes. Then it was gone. “I’ve managed up until now. But I’ll tell the agency I may have a stalker. I don’t want to share anything else about the messages. It’s too personal.”

“The wisest course would be to inform the LAPD and the local station where you live. So they know about the danger.”

But she shook her head. “The police might leak it to the media. I already have to deal with the paparazzi. More bodyguards means more restrictions. I don’t like feeling caged in. You know? Idon’t like feeling watched and followed all the time, even though Iam.”

“I get it,” I said softly, stroking her hair. “Not saying I understand what you face every day, but I get why you need to protect your freedom.”

Of course she didn’t like feeling trapped. That made perfect sense, especially considering her childhood.

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