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“So if we checked the security footage, we wouldn’t see you heading into his room,” Detective Baldwin added.

“Like I said, I was waiting for Ainsley,” I told her, remembering the stranger telling me about the security footage being taken care of. Looked like Rowan had been busy himself.

“Alright.” Detective Baldwin sighed. “Listen, I’m glad you’re okay and that you survived that hell and what you went through,” she told Ainsley. “I did some digging and found out that most of the people who escaped, were survivors like yourself. Any of them who were the captors or who had a part in taking you all, are either dead or locked up already. I’m sure you already know this as well, but Price Davies had a hand in this. It seems the old mayor of our wonderful town just doesn’t care anymore and figures if he can’t make his money the legal way, he’ll resort to illegal dealings.”

I grunted. “Has he ever cared? The bastard has underage girls working at his clubs.”

Detective Baldwin stared at me. “How do you know about that?”

Officer Jaxon placed a hand on her shoulder. “He’s a biker, Jess. They probably know more things about Price and his whereabouts than we do.”

“Is that true?” Detective Baldwin asked me.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” There was no way that I would have this conversation here.

“Alright.” She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. We’re still searching for Price.”

“I don’t give a shit about him.” I did but they didn’t need to know that. “As long as my girl...” I caught Ainsley’s gaze then. “As long as you are safe, that’s all I care about.”

She nodded.

“If you notice anything at all or can think of any more information, please don’t hesitate to call either of us,” Office Jaxon added.

“Okay, thank you.” Ainsley snuggled into my side, a yawn trembling through her.

“We’ll let you be.” Officer Jaxon looked at me. “Can we talk?”

I nodded, kissing the top of Ainsley’s head. “I’ll be right back.”

“Okay,” she whispered.

Pulling out from behind her, I followed both Andy and Jessica out into the hall, making sure to stay close to the entrance of Ainsley’s room.

“I need to ask...” Andy paused. “You didn’t see anything at all.”

“That’s not a question,” I told him. “But no, I didn’t see anything.”

“Andy, it’s sorted,” Detective Baldwin told him. “Ainsley was defending herself.”

“I get that, Jess, but this...someone her size stabbing the bastard in the eye wouldn’t kill him. Just cause a lot of damage. So something or someone else did.” He looked at me then. “That’s all I’m saying.”

“I guess you’ll have to wait for the coroner to give you that information, but I will tell you now that whatever or whomever caused his death, has nothing to do with Ainsley or me.” I turned and took a step back into Ainsley’s room. “I need to take my girl home after she rests.” I looked between both of them. “If there’s nothing else.”

“No.” Detective Baldwin placed a hand on Andy’s arm. “Let’s go.”

He huffed, letting her lead him away and back down the hall from where they had come from. I watched as she looked up at him. He scowled while shaking his head, but wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his side. It was like I could actually see the tension leaving her body, knowing exactly how that felt. To have that person who could touch you and make everything awful in your life better. Even if it was just for a moment.

“Cyrus.”

My head whipped around, finding Sammy coming toward me.

“How’s she doing?” he asked, nodding to the room I was about to enter.

“She’s resting but I hope to bring her home soon. Where’s Cheesy and Locke?”

“I sent them home.” Sammy held up his phone, showing me a picture. “Piper had the baby.”

My heart swelled for the love coming from the image of Piper staring down at her newborn.