Page 61 of Deadly Designs

She was quick to defend her man. “Yes, he will.”

Presley shook her head. “I should’ve been more aware.My bad.”

Aja Blue didn’t argue, but they couldn’t have seenthe police arrive. There were no flashing red and blue lights orsirens.

When the men returned, Christian wasn’t as upsetabout them not noticing the authorities arriving as he was withPresley for leaving her alone, which irritated Aja Blue to no end.She didn’t want him to see her as a helpless, childish,phrase-using imbecile. She was an equal partner in therelationship, such as it was.

Silently seething, she tried to devise a way toconvince him she was as capable as Presley or Kayne but couldn’tcome up with anything. They were rock stars.

Kayne swung by a shop, and Presley ran in to pick uptheir dinner. Aja Blue was relatively sure they didn’t survive onpizza alone, judging by their physiques, but it was quick andconvenient. It was her favorite, though she didn’t indulgeoften.

When they returned to the house, they sat in thebreakfast nook and scarfed down the pie. The others drank water orDiet Coke, but Aja Blue needed a glass of wine to calm the nervesgnawing at her all day.

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Christian was still fuming about Pastor Chet’s haterally as they sat around the table and ate dinner. He couldabsolutely see the man involved in Byron Zikes’s death and thedestruction of Aja Blue’s office. Even if he hadn’t used the vanPresley had found on premises, he’d likely given orders or poisonedthe mind of the person who was behind it. It wasn’t a giant leap tothink he’d done something to Jay Guitterez.

Kayne was clearing away their plates when the outergate buzzed.

Christian checked his watch. “That was quicker than Iexpected.”

“Who is it?” Aja Blue asked.

“If my guess is correct, it’s Detective Herbert.”

“How does she know where we are?” Presley asked.

“I gave her the address after the bombing at AjaBlue’s office.”

Christian wiped his hands and walked to the intercom.After checking the video feed, he activated the gate and waited bythe door. As soon as the detective parked, he ushered herinside.

“Where’s the facial hair and disgusting teeth?” shesmirked.

He rubbed his smooth cheeks. “I don’t know whatyou’re talking about.”

“Cut the crap, Zamora. You should’ve told me you andSerruto infiltrated Pastor Chet’s inner circle.”

“I’m neither admitting nor denying theaccusation.”

She rolled her eyes again—God, he detested themove—and strolled over to grab a slice of leftover pizza from thebox Kayne held open for her. “What did you discover?” she askedaround a mouthful of pepperoni and cheese.

“What didyoudiscover?” he countered.

“Oh, come on, Zamora, we’re on the same team.”

“Fine. We didn’t infiltrate the circle, as you putit, though there seemed to be interest on Chet’s part. You kindablew our op.”

“Whatever. We found the van.”

Christian raised his brows.

“You found it too.” It wasn’t a question.

“We did,” Presley admitted, obviously proud of herdiscovery.

“Dumb and Dumber have records, though I’m sure youknew that already.”

Actually, they didn’t. Christian hadn’t had a chanceto send Pastor Chet’s thugs’ pictures to Tyler for an ID. Heshrugged, hoping she’d offer more information.

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