Page 80 of Deadly Designs

It still seemed surreal that Jay was dead. She missedhis acerbic wit and unyielding loyalty. His designs were innovativeand unconventional. She decided to create a line that borrowed fromhis vision. She nodded her head, loving the idea. It would be namedthe Jay Guitterez Collection. Proceeds would funnel directly intohis scholarship.

The Sinclair pool house project loomed over her head.Mrs. Sinclair knew of the tragedy, so Aja Blue had some time to puta plan together, but she hated for there to be any delay. She’dnever been one to procrastinate. Get it done as soon as possiblewas her motto. It had been Jay’s too. Once Jay’s funeral was overand she found a new office space, she’d concentrate on finishing itbefore creating the line in his name.

#

Christian’s head was on a swivel as Kayne navigatedto the safe house. He was hyper-aware of Aja Blue beside him andher slight tremble. As much as he wanted to reassure her thateverything was okay, he needed to make sure he could deliver onthat promise.

How the hell had someone tracked them to DetectiveHerbert’s apartment?

Nicole called her captain to report the attemptedshooting and to let him know she was turning off her phone in caseit was being traced.

“Tell him I hit the guy in the upper left shoulderand to check hospitals for a gunshot victim.”

Nicole repeated what Kayne said and thendisconnected.

Christian waited until they were secure inside thehouse and Aja Blue had retreated upstairs before he gathered hiscrew, including the detective. He considered her one of theirs forthis op. Her department might not want her to pursue the case, buthe did.

“Thoughts? Why did someone stake out Nicole’sapartment?”

“I’ve been pondering that,” Kayne said. “They knewshe’d been hospitalized. Maybe they watched to see when she leftand followed her home.”

“One theory,” Christian agreed, “but it would take anunbelievable level of commitment for someone to stake out herplace.”

“Or they knew my name and discovered where I lived,”Nicole added.

“Also good. But how did they know we would visityou?”

That had been bugging him. Had the person waited tosee if they would stop by? And what were the odds?

“Maybe it had nothing to do with us, and it wassomeone after the detective,” theorized Presley.

Christian thought about it and shook his head. “I’dhave a better chance of believing that if the accident hadn’thappened. They are all connected.”

“But why go after her?” Presley wondered.

“I’m the one who arrested Pastor Chet and his crew.His minions would be upset with me.”

“That’s true,” Christian realized. “His followers arelike a cult. They would do anything to protect their leader.”

Presley checked her watch. “You should get ready forthe gala.”

Christian sighed. The last thing he wanted to do wasattend a party of wealthy, snobbish, eccentric millionaires andpretend to mingle with them. But for Aja Blue, he’d do it. He woulddo anything for her.

Presley disappeared to help Aja Blue get ready.Meanwhile, Christian dragged his feet, putting off getting dressed.When it was clear they would be late if he didn’t get a move on, hetook a quick shower, shaved, donned the tux, and steppedoutside.

His tongue glued to the roof of his mouth when AjaBlue appeared. She wore a long black gown held up with a band ofglittering crystals that fastened around her neck, leaving hershoulders bare. Her gorgeous mahogany hair was piled on her head,with strands curling down to frame her face. Her skin was creamyand flawless, and all he wanted to do was sweep her in his arms,carry her upstairs, and make love to her for the next century.

Instead, he walked toward her. “You look beautiful.”Understatement of the century. He’d wax poetic about Aja Blue ifPresley weren’t standing beside her, her gaze expectantly fixed onChristian as if awaiting his response. He mentally flipped heroff.

Aja Blue smiled. “Thanks. So do you.”

“What? This old thing?”

With a chuckle, they headed to the SUV. WhileChristian and Aja Blue attended the soiree, Presley, Kayne, andNicole would have dinner at the boat club situated at one end ofthe long pier. They would be close if needed. The club wasmembers-only, but BeBe had somehow garnered their invites. Shedidn’t tell him how, and he didn’t ask.

#

Christian helped Aja Blue from the vehicle, and shechecked the invitation to see where the boat was moored. They saidgoodbye to the others, who headed to the exclusive boat club.Thankfully, the dress code was casual, so Kayne, Presley, andNicole hadn’t needed to go shopping first.

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