Page 31 of Protect Your Queen

If Detective Delgado could have killed me with a look, I’d be a pile of ash. She wanted to kill me with her brain. I could tell. And because I was an asshole, I just had to get a final jab in.

“I watched a lot ofChipsgrowing up. That makes me practically a lawyer.”

I thought about putting my shirt back on as Brian silently closed up the first aid kit, but I didn’t bother. And because I wasn’t some 80’s cover model, I didn’t put my blazer back on either. What kind of douchebag wears a blazer without a shirt? Probably the same kind of guy who wore a bow tie while dancing around in shiny boxers.

“I’m just trying to find out what happened.” Detective Delgado put her pen and pad into her jacket pocket. “After all, justice is reason, free of passion. To get to the truth, we have to get through the messy parts too.”

“Do so without blaming my client for someone trying to kill her.” I stood up off the table and slung my shirt and blazer over my bare arm. “If you have any further questions, you can call George Campbell to get my details.” Okay, that was a dick thing to say, but I did it anyway. “Now, give my client space to process this obviously traumatizing event.”

Disagree with me, and you’re going to look like an insensitive prick, Detective.

“Thank you, Mr. Ambrose,” her partner, Tanner, intervened as she opened her mouth to say something back. “We’ll be in touch.”

With a nod of his head, Tanner pointed his partner toward the exit. She let out a quick snort then followed him out, with me trailing behind. I needed to make sure they left for good.

“We hope you feel better, Miss Barkada.” Detective Tanner waved at Jestiny, as they walked out. The yellow letters LAPD on their jackets stared back at us like a huge middle finger. Then, as if he had just remembered something, Tanner snapped his fingers and walked back to the couch, where Jestiny sat with her brother. “Here’s my card, in case you ever need to get in touch.”

He offered a small, thick rectangular card toward Jestiny, giving her a smile that made me want to punch his face. She was reaching out to take it, when I swiped the card from him, and put it in my pocket.

“Like I said,” I gritted through my teeth, “if you need her, you can contact me. She’s a very busy woman, as I’m sure you understand.”

I gestured to the front door with an extended arm, making it clear that he needed to get out of the house. I was fucking done with their bullshit.

“Woman to woman,” Detective Delgado said, stepping forward and daring to look back at Jes with fake “kind” eyes. “If you ever need anything, you can always talk to me.”

She pulled out her own card and held it out to Jes.

Jareth stood and buttoned his sport coat. He swiped at Detective Delgado’s card. He tried to pry it from her fingers, but she held onto it. For a moment, the two of them stared at each other. Her, in her cheap uniform jacket, and a small, modest, Apple watch on her wrist was a contrast to him, in his custom, navy plaid blazer and thick Rolex.

They held the card in their right hands and stood toe-to-toe. They were like mirrored opponents about to arm wrestle.

“I think my sister has enough support. She won’t require yourwomanly advice.” Jareth’s tone had a level of disdain that was far deeper than what could have occurred in a single meeting. Had they met before too? “Jasmine is here, after all. You’re overstepping, Detective.”

I noticed that Jazz and Detective Delgado were similarly dressed. They had skin-tight jeans, tight shirts, broad shoulders, and wore their jackets like armor. Hell, even their posture was similar. It was the broad-shouldered walk of a woman who was very comfortable pushing iron in a gym.

Jazz smirked, as if her brother had just said something very funny, but I couldn’t get the humor in it.

“Thank you for your concern.” Jestiny’s voice shot through me, and I looked at her impassive, perfect face. “But I’d like to be alone with family now.”

Jazz stood to one side of Jestiny, placing a protective hand on her shoulder. Jareth, with Delgado’s card in his hand, went to stand behind the couch. I went to stand on Jestiny’s other side. We looked like her court, as she sat on her wide, cream leather throne.

We surrounded her, protected her, against these two detectives like they were emissaries from an enemy kingdom.

“Of course, Miss Barkada,” Detective Delgado said, retreating back to where her partner waited at the door.

Before they had a chance to head out, Jareth snapped her business card with his middle finger, before folding it in two and placing it in his trouser pocket. “Thank you for your service, Detective. I respect your endeavors to keep the people of Los Angeles safe.”

If he had been hooked to a polygraph, it would have lit up like a Christmas tree, because that was most definitely a big, fat lie.

Chapter eleven

A Silence Without End

Jestiny

“Jes, we need to talk,” Jazz said, taking the seat beside me. Her eyes followed Jareth and Christopher as they walked to the other room. The one where he had apparently been stitched up.

I saw his body when he came out. I knew the lady Detective had seen it too. In fact, she had seen it before I had, and I resented her for it.

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