Page 67 of Triggered By Love
Damon grabbed his hand and squeezed, but Jason gripped him back as hard as he could. The standoff continued with neither side willing to disengage.
Avery tapped Damon on the arm. “Don’t speak to him unless he has a search warrant.”
Damon let go, wincing as he put his sore hand over his sister’s back. “You okay? Did he bruise you, or was that from the accident?”
“It wasn’t an accident,” Jason said. “If you don’t want to answer my questions, I can have you come down to the station.”
“On what grounds?” Damon shoved Avery behind his back in a protective gesture. “You kidnapped my sister, held her overnight against her will, and from the looks of her face, I could charge you for battering.”
“Dysfunctional.”
“What do you mean?” Damon’s eyes narrowed.
“Ignore him,” Avery said. “He uses insults to get information. He has nothing.”
“Actually, I’m here to investigate the break-in to Avery’s apartment and look for evidence.” Jason flipped out his badge, not that he needed to, but to thoroughly annoy Avery.
“Let him in,” she said. “I’m moving into your apartment.”
“It’s a mess,” Damon said.
“I’ll clean it. After this detective is finished with his investigation, I never want to see him again.” With a toss of her head, she swiveled off toward the doorman who opened the door for her.
Once they entered the lobby, Avery hit the elevator button quickly and got in. She closed the door before Damon or Jason could enter after her.
“You’re such a tool,” Damon said to Jason as he hit the button again. “If you think you can move in on my sister, you don’t know anything. No one can replace Brando Bonet, and you are his polar opposite.”
“I’m exactly what she needs.” Jason made an “after-you” gesture when the elevator doors reopened. “Your sister’s in danger and in big denial. Chase was worried enough to stash her at the mansion, but she’s also stubborn enough not to pay attention to her safety. If you love her, as I believe you do, you’ll work with me to bring the killer to justice.”
Damon’s thick brows lowered, and he rubbed his jaw, frowning. “I’m worried, but I think it’s political. It’s aimed at my father. He wants to shake things up, and he’s an outsider. Avery is his favorite child, and by threatening her, they can get him to drop out of the race.”
“I’m sure a parent has many favorite children,” Jason said. “Why focus on Avery and her fashion show?”
“She makes for a better story. Troubled teen model turning her life around. Engaged to firefighter hero on her maiden fashion show. World at her feet.”
“Did your father receive threatening messages?”
“Doesn’t need to. They talk in code. Dog whistles. If you’re going to investigate, look into Congressman Overton and Ivanna Chu.”
“What’s the connection?”
“Her sister, Clarissa Chu, is a publicist for Congressman Overton.”
“Thanks for the tip.” Jason watched the indicator close in on Avery’s floor. “Why haven’t you reported this before?”
“Nothing’s happened to my sister until the accident yesterday with the taxicab jumping the curb.”
“That was no accident. I might have a suspect. Tell me what you know about Larry Leach.”
“He’s a good friend of Avery’s. There’s no problem there,” Damon said. “They never dated either, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“I have to cover every angle. Know anything about Professor Leach’s private fashion shows?”
Damon shrugged, getting out of the elevator. “He’s immunosuppressed. Gives Avery pre-show feedback. Has a vested interest in her success. I don’t see anything suspicious there.”
“Any other men interested in Avery?”
“Other than yourself?” Damon jutted his chin at Jason. “I hope you’re not a jealous man. Besides having zero chance with my sister, you should know that a woman as pretty as my sister has many men vying for her attention. It’s always been this way. It’s a curse beautiful women endure.”
