Page 111 of Triggered By Love
“How about the previous years?” Jason asked.
“I always found someone.”
“Like who?”
She swallowed hard and had to face the facts. “Saul’s brother, Garm. And before that, the fellow named Longshanks.”
Jason’s breath hissed, and he gaped at her, eyes bulging like one of Richie’s pufferfish. His hands jerked against the bounds, and his body lifted halfway off the bed, throwing her from her prone position. “I need a list of every man you used for the private showing.”
She lifted herself off of him, noticing his erection was long gone. He was ready for action. A true cop who could shut off lust and desire when danger arose. She was glad he had his priorities straight.
Sitting at his side, she ran her hand up and down his biceps, admiring the musculature. “There were only three. I’ve only been designing three years.”
“Three private shows. Three male models, and three deaths.” His stare was intense with accusation. “Avery, if you knew, why didn’t you go to the police?”
“The first two deaths were overdoses. I had no reason to be suspicious. I didn’t even know they were dead.”
“How did you find them for the job?”
“Alida recommended them.”
Once again, Jason strained at the bonds. “We have to bring Alida in for questioning. Don’t you see? She’s the link.”
“You can’t be arresting her for referring a model. It wasn’t her anyway, it was Starbright. Her assistant runs it.”
“Who’s her assistant?”
“You’re not going to like this coincidence,” Avery said. “Ivanna’s oldest sister, Clarissa.”
“I’ll need to speak to her. If these models were murdered.”
“You’re the only one who thinks they were murdered. How does getting high on meth equal being murdered?” Avery tipped Jason’s chin with her index finger. “Have you ever taken meth?”
“No, have you?”
“You know I have. I’m sure it came up in your investigation. I used to run around with Richie. He was my supplier. I never got to the point of destroying my health.”
“Or so you imagined you didn’t. Did you ruin your teeth and have them replaced with implants?”
“No. There are other ways of ingesting it other than smoking.”
“Doesn’t matter. Will you untie me?”
“Why? So you can leave before I say my piece? If you want me to trust you, you have to stay.”
His mouth thinned into a grim line, and he nodded, blowing out a breath. “Okay. You got me where you want me. Now, talk.”
“Will you still help me?” She lay down next to him, propping her head with one hand over her elbow.
“I promised you, didn’t I?” He turned his head to gaze into her eyes. Not easily because of his bruised and hulking shoulders. “Go on, Ave. Tell me what you did.”
“I switched to cocaine. It wasn’t as stimulating, but I didn’t want to ruin my teeth.”
“Why were you using?” His tone was gentle. “Help me understand.”
She played with the fuzz on his chin, marveling at the way it ran different directions. “They gave me drugs to turn me on and make themselves better lovers.”
“The models you hired?” His gaze narrowed, but his eyes remained fluid and caring, almost like he was fighting suspicion and concern.
