Page 88 of Deadly Designs

Her laugh was throaty and deep. “That was my attemptat a pickup line, which obviously sucked.”

He might’ve been interested BAB—Before Aja Blue. Now,worry consumed him, and all he wanted to do was find her. “I’msorry. I’m here with my fiancé.”

“Ah. Lucky girl.” She took a sip of champagne andwandered off.

Christian refocused on the schematics. If HeathcliffSinclair had Aja Blue—and he was reasonably sure he did—he’d takeher somewhere away from the crowd, like an office. There was one onthe top level, with only one entry point.

His cell buzzed, and he answered without checking thescreen. “Where are you?”

“Uh, I’m at the compound.”

“Sorry, Tyler. I thought you were Kayne.”

“No, but I have a hit for you on the guy who stoleAja Blue’s phone. His name is Jonas Thames. He’s the chief ofsecurity for Sinclair Industries.”

Christian’s instincts had been spot on. Sinclair wasthe culprit.

“You got the blueprints?”

“I did. How did you know to send them?”

“Presley.”

“Thanks, Tyler.”

“I’m here to help with whatever you need.”

Knowing Sinclair was behind the attacks on Aja Bluehad Christian dashing for the stairs. He couldn’t wait on hiscoworkers. Aja Blue’s life was in danger. It might be foolish to goalone, but he wasn’t thinking clearly at the moment.

Before he stepped on the first riser, his phonebuzzed. Kayne.

“Where are you?”

“Stern. Swimming platform.”

“I’m on my way.”

Christian executed a U-turn and dodged people as henavigated to the lower level. Kayne was on the deck, soaking wet.He’d taken down a guard, zip-tying and gagging him before stashinghim behind a decorative planter.

“Where’s Presley?”

“In a boat with Nicole, and before you ask, sherefused to stay on shore.”

The sound of a motor cutting off had them turning tothe water. Presley and Nicole appeared.

“No one shot at us,” Presley said unnecessarily sincethey were both hole-less. He helped her onto the platform. Hewanted to chastise her for taking the chance, but he could use thesupport.

Kayne assisted Nicole out and helped her with thecrutches.

Presley handed him weapons and a comm unit.

“My guess is the top-level office, but we can’tafford to focus on one place. Presley, you check out the Sinclairsuite on the bottom level. Kayne, you search the equipment room.”They were always used for nefarious purposes in movies. “Nicole,you stay here and keep an eye out. I need you to know that I willtake any means necessary to save Aja Blue. I’m not worried aboutwarnings, Miranda rights, or any of those things.”

“Understood,” the detective replied, and his respectfor her went up another notch.

“Whoever gets eyes on Aja Blue, let the others knowso we can get there as soon as possible. I don’t want anyone goingsolo, and there will be guards, so be prepared.”

They took off with Presley and Kayne dashing down thesteps while Christian went up. He forced himself to slow down so hedidn’t draw the attention of the security personnel wanderingabout. He could pick them out of the crowd. Most mingled with theguests, looking out of place in dark suits and sunglasses.

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