Rory glances at me. “What’s your favorite?”
“It used to be chocolate-covered cherries, but they’re ruined for me now.”
“This weirdo heard Jace talk about it on a podcast, so she’d send boxes to all of our shows.” Coop pops another one in his mouth. “That’s why we call her the Cherry Smasher. Because bythe end, it looked like she took a hammer to the box before they got delivered.”
Frank shakes his head at my drummer and takes the box of candy out of his hands. “Maybe you shouldn’t eat this. What if she poisoned them?”
Coop shrugs. “That’s not her MO.”
That vein in my manager’s forehead pulses. “Just because you watchCSIdoesn’t mean you’re qualified to profile a stalker.”
We all chuckle, and I pat Cooper’s shoulder. “We probably have something sweet in the kitchen.”
Rory rocks Layla in her arms. “I have some fudge left. Want a piece of that?” When his eyes light up, I take the baby from her while she heads to the fridge.
Frank dumps the box in the trash. “Anyone see who brought the candy?”
“Edmond handed it to me. Says some girl dropped it off.” Cooper shoves a piece of fudge in his mouth.
Frank marches off the bus, probably to talk to our security guard.
With Layla in one arm, I grab Rory’s hand with my other and tug her to our bedroom, closing the door behind us. Layla yawns, and I smile at my daughter.
She’s so sweet and beautiful.
And vulnerable.
I’m at our show half the night or running around doing promo while Rory and Layla are alone on the bus. The thought sends chills down my spine.
I turn to Rory. “We need to be more careful. I don’t know if this woman was doing a quick drive-by or if she plans to stake out all of our shows, but I don’t wanna take any chances with you or the baby. This person’s deranged.”
“What do you suggest? Edmond is always here and there’s security at the venue.”
My temple throbs, and I press my palm against it. “I don’t want you walking alone at night. There are a lot of buses in our lot, but security isn’t that tight.”
She frowns as she glances out the window. “What if I called Edmond on my way back? That way he knows to look for me.”
“Or you could wait for me. It’ll take longer, but I can walk you back. I might need to head out again, but that way I’ll know you’re safe.”
Reaching out, she smooths down Layla’s hair. “Maybe this was a one-time thing. She saw you were here, and she was in town for vacation and dropped off her dumb smashed chocolates. Now she’s off being a nuisance elsewhere.”
“I hope you’re right.” I hug my daughter tighter. “It wasn’t a big deal when it was only me, but now I have you two.”
“This might be shocking, but I can take care of myself. I promise I won’t talk to strangers or head down dark alleys or take any chances.”
She thinks I’m being overprotective. Maybe I am, but I protect what’s mine. “How about you call Edmond like you suggested? Maybe talk to him the whole time you walk back? Could you do that for me?”
Her lips twist but she nods. “Yes.”
I pull her to me and hug her. “Thanks. Just don’t wanna take any chances.”
22
RORY
The show goesoff without a hitch. After editing their videos and coming to their shows, I now know most of their songs.
Quinn tucks a strand of blonde hair behind her ear and leans closer. “I swear they get better every night.” She jots notes in her phone for her music blog.
