Page 32 of Tempt Me-

Bailey nods against me.

“Do you need to get anything from your classroom first?”

“No.”She steps back and glances up at me.Tears stain her cheeks, and my heart squeezes tight in my chest.

Unfortunately, to leave the school, we have to walk past the main office.If luck holds, we won’t run into Kayla.I lead Bailey down the hall and turn toward the office.I immediately catch sight of Austin, having his say with the principal and the office staff, no doubt making it clear Kayla is not allowed anywhere near his child and only Austin, his parents and I are allowed into the school or to pick up Bailey.

“Daddy!”

Austin turns, and Bailey runs into his open arms.He picks her up and holds her tight against him.“Do we have an understanding?”he asks Principal Shay, a middle-aged man with a good reputation among teachers and parents.

“Of course.And we have your instructions in writing.Don’t worry.”

Austin nods.He glances at me.“I’m getting a restraining order,” he mutters.“Are we ready to go?”

I nod.“I’ll meet you and Bailey at home.”

“I want to ride with Mia.”Bailey wriggles to get down from her father’s arms.

“Honey, no.I’m sure your dad wants to talk to you.”

“It’s fine,” Austin says, an unreadable glint in his eye.But I don’t get the sense he is unhappy about his daughter’s proclamation.

I make sure Bailey is buckled into her car seat, and we head home.The adrenaline of my day is beginning to wear off, and I am exhausted.I hope Bailey will be in a let’s-just-chill-and-watch-a-movie mood.All I want to do is relax.

But when we arrive at the house, the burglar alarm is going off and the police are parked out front.Obviously our day isn’t over yet.

Chapter Seven

Austin

Istand inthe kitchen, talking to the police detective who arrived along with the uniformed officers when the alarm company didn’t reach anyone at the house.According to the detective, someone entered through the back door off the kitchen.They’ve already done a sweep and the house is clear and safe.Whoever broke in is gone.They shattered the window on the kitchen back door and unlocked it from the inside.The police had a team come in and check the knob for prints.Everyone agreed the perp probably wore gloves.

Obviously, the alarm scared them off, but had that been before they took anything?I’ve done a quick walk through of the house.No electronics, televisions, computers, or anything worth money appears to have been stolen.

I run a frustrated hand through my hair and glance at Bailey and Mia from the window over the kitchen sink.Mia took her to the swing set to keep her away from the adult talk and chaos inside.

I filled the police in on the custody issue I am having with my ex-wife, although breaking and entering doesn’t strike me as her MO.She has nothing to gain and everything to lose by taking such an extreme step or persuading someone to help her.

I called my parents, and they are on their way to pick up Bailey.I want her out of here for the night—or longer.I don’t know what is going on, but I don’t like it, and I don’t want my daughter at risk.

“You’re sure I can let my daughter inside?”I ask the officer who is writing up a report.

“Yes.We checked closets, the basement, and every room in the house.We just have a man going through room by room to see if we missed anything.”

I open the window, avoiding the broken glass on the door.“Mia!”I call and wave to her to bring Bailey inside.“Come in through the garage!”

She flashes me a thumbs-up gesture.A few seconds later, they join me in the kitchen.

“Can you take Bailey upstairs to pack?She’s going to have a sleepover at her grandparents’.”I ruffle my daughter’s hair.

Mia nods in understanding.

“Really??”Bailey asks, obviously surprised.

“They miss you.Let’s call it a special occasion,” I say to her, forcing an easy smile I don’t feel.

“Okay, Daddy.”She unhooks her backpack from her shoulders, where she’d slung it to come inside, and places it on the kitchen table.