Page 20 of Stormswept Colorado

“Because if they’re Silver Ridge boys, I’ll make sure their parents hand their asses to them. Or I’ll do it myself.”

Ayla paused, teeth tugging at her lower lip. “They looked more like tourists. Dressed like they’d been skiing. I guess they decided to continue their vacay with some light sexual harassment.”

I shifted, crossing my arms. Cat-calling wasn’t illegal, but it still made the anger in my blood reach a low simmer. “I wish you’d called the non-emergency line. I’ve told you in the past that my officers and I are here to help.”

“Yes, you’ve been helpful, and you’ve made me feel bad about it every time.”

“That was never my intention. This is my job, and I’ll do it. Ifyou’d called, I could’ve had a word with them, that’s all. Before they caused a bigger issue.”

“You assume every problem around here is caused by an outsider.”

Not true. But I wasn’t going to start arguing with her again either. “These upstanding citizens who harassed you were part of the street brawl, I imagine?”

She nodded. “Bryan and I went into a boutique. We were there for about half an hour, bought a few things. When we were ready to leave, we noticed there was a crowd gathered outside. The college guys in ski jackets were among them. Bryan tried to get me through the crowd, but things went downhill fast. Somebody grabbed my wrist. I didn’t even see who. I think Bryan might’ve pushed the guy, trying to get him away from me, and then Bryan took a fist to the nose.” She shivered. “I hope he’s okay.”

Sounded like she really cared about the guy. Was he more than her driver? Was he her lover?

There was that hot jab of discomfort again.

But I was glad he’d defended her. Suggested he might deserve her.

“Your friend was going strong a couple minutes ago when I saw him. Bryan might have a broken nose, but he’ll be fine.”

“Yeah. Um, thank you for getting me out of there. I’ll have to thank your officers as well.”

A thank you, I thought.Was that so hard?

“You’re welcome. Nobody should be subjected to that kind of harassment or attack, and on behalf of Silver Ridge, I apologize that it happened.”

Her eyes lifted, two spots of vivid green that pulled me in.

Then she blinked, squinting at the wall in front of her. “Does that sign actually say,Go with the flow?”

I didn’t stop myself from laughing that time. “Yep. With a waterfall in the background. Rosie owns the market, and she has an odd sense of humor.” Which had to explain what drew her to Jimmy Perkins.

“And a distinctive decorating style.”

“Gnome wallpaper isn’t popular in LA?”

“That trend must’ve missed the west coast.” Suddenly Ayla was smiling tentatively. Like we were sharing a moment instead of clashing.

Andfuck me, that smile of hers. So different from her videos. This one was almost shy, pink full lips with a hint of her front teeth.

It hit me like an unstoppable force, making it hard to breathe.

Then that brief moment was gone as quickly as it had started.

Her gaze broke from mine, her eyelashes fluttering. “Can you find out what’s going on out there?”

On the radio, I asked Susan for an update. “Hey, Chief. We’ve got the brawlers separated and we’re taking statements. Some suspects took off on foot, but we’ve got plenty of witnesses. Just doing our best out here to manage the scene.”

“I’m sure you’ve got it well in hand. Do you have a Bryan…” I glanced at Ayla.

“Krueger,” she supplied.

“A Bryan Krueger. He’s in town with Ms. Maxwell.”

“Yes, sir. He’s here. I spoke to him. He’s getting treated for minor injuries by one of the fire department EMTs. Bloody nose and split knuckles. But otherwise in good shape.”

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