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He seemed to sense my turmoil. “Ashford,” he boomed. “If this were any other client, what would you do?”
“But she’s not just any other client, Kade. I love her.” I took a breath, pressing my foot harder on the pedal to speed past another truck. “I love her, man.”
His pause was palpable. I’d never known Kade to be in a relationship, much less say he loved a woman, so I wasn’t sure he gave a shit about my feelings. “Fine,” he eventually gritted. “Get there, assess the situation, then let me know ASAP. If it’s a mishap with the security system, I’ll personally string those guys up by their balls. But if there’s an issue, you get on it and keep your woman and child safe while I call the cops. Got it?”
“Got it.”
We hung up just as I flew around the last turn, the dance studio now in my sights. The parking lot looked quiet. No movement, no parents or students coming and going just then.
I pulled in and came to an abrupt halt as Whitney made her way out the front door. My entrance startled her, and she turned with wide eyes.
“Oh! Hi!” she said. “Are you here to look at the alarm?”
I skimmed the front of the building. “Is everything okay inside?”
“Yeah. The alarm just started going on and off randomly right before Olivia left, and—”
“Olivia left? Why? Where did she go?”
True fear slid over her face at the bark in my voice. “The daycare.”
I blinked, trying to figure just what the hell. Dance classes were not done for the day. Olivia wouldn’t go pick up Elizabeth unless... “Why? Is Elizabeth sick?”
“I don’t think so. Honestly, Liv rushed out of here so fast, I didn’t really understand what she was talking about.” She clutched her purse tighter to her body as if just cueing into the fact that there was a problem. “She said something about a mix-up she needed to go... is everything alright?”
I didn’t bother answering her. I just popped the truck into gear and sped out toward the daycare, praying that I wasn’t too late.
Twenty-Seven
Olivia
Little Angels Daycare: Elizabeth Creed has been successfully checked out. Have a great day!
The text message was burned into my brain like a fiery brand, forcing terrified breaths to nearly choke me as I pushed my ancient sedan toward the daycare.
There was a very short list of people who had permission to pick up my daughter—my parents, my brother, and my cousin Asher because he lived locally. That was it. And none of them were picking her up today. The text had to be an error.
But the daycare wasn’t answering their phones for me to verify, so I was going to see for myself, and to grab Elizabeth early. I didn’t even stop to call Justin, though I knew I probably should’ve. I just wanted to get to her and see her with my own eyes.
“Oh God, oh God...” I chanted in a panicked prayer as I drove, unable to articulate any other words. It was all I had to give in that moment, but I hoped it was enough. “Please let it be a dumb mistake.”
I ignored the signs for school bus parking and skidded to a stop right in front of the center, jumping out at a full run, not stopping until I was at the front desk.
Mandy, the young receptionist, startled at my sudden entrance. “Ms. Creed? Are you... is everything okay?”
“Elizabeth?” I demanded. “Where’s Elizabeth?”
She frowned at me like I’d lost my mind. “Your cousin picked her up a little while ago.”
“My cousin?”
“Yes. Asher?” She tilted her head. “Are you feeling okay?”
“Asher picked her up?” I wilted against the counter, suddenly very confused. “You’re sure?”
“I mean, he had an ID.” She came around the counter to stand next to me like she was worried I was about to fall over. “I thought it was a little odd that you hadn’t mentioned he’d be coming by, but he’s on your approved list, so I figured you just forgot.”
Asher.