Page 123 of Triggered By Love
Orson flipped to the sketch of Jason and his crown of porcupine quills and glanced across the room at Jason. “Why isn’t he decorated?”
“The quills were backordered and we just got them today,” she said. “I had him dress in the classic, debonair Clark Gable style you crave.”
“Cary Grant,” the professor reminded. He lowered his brows and hissed, “Your attitude is showing.”
She wanted to flip him the bird. He always ruled by fear, but somehow, with Jason sitting on the other side of her, she could pretend she was fearless—at least until the “show” began.
“I prefer you to wear a swimsuit.” Orson backed up his battery-powered wheelchair and commanded his digital assistant gadget to fetch the butler.
Avery glanced at Jason who gave her a thumbs-up. Maybe he thought she won a point by being insubordinate, but he didn’t know the professor’s cruelty.
The door opened, and the butler’s white gloved hand issued in two people.
Larry Leach and Tatiana Renzi.
Jason straightened up in his seat, leaning slightly forward. He was evidently surprised, and because he’d been frisked at the door, he was without weapons other than his bare hands.
Avery swallowed her surprise at the attractive brunette who lived across from Mrs. Bonet. She most certainly got around, from parties in Larry’s social circuit to the Brooklyn model stash house.
Her presence just raised her higher up on the suspect list. It couldn’t be a coincidence that she was also the psychologist who put Jason on stress disability.
“My dear Avery Cockburn,” Larry said, wagging his finger at her. “You’ve been a bad girl, bringing a cop into this. Were you hoping he’d make an arrest?”
She swallowed hard, and her words caught in her throat. She hadn’t thought Larry would be involved. He’d always stayed out of the way before. Why would he risk arrest? Unless he was sure he could do away with Jason.
Jason’s hand went to where his gun would have been.
Larry laughed and flicked back his suit jacket to show the gun tucked in his waistband. He rested his hand on it. “Are you a good cop or a bad one? It’s too late for you to make that choice. You shouldn’t have come.”
Jason pressed his lips and made no response.
Larry whipped around and glared at Avery. “You screwed this up big time. Does he know what you’re doing to him?”
“He’s aware.” Avery kept her gaze straight on Larry’s feral eyes. “I refuse to play these games any longer. I’ll make you a deal. Find someone else to entertain your father. I’ll quit the fashion business, and Jason will stop looking into your affairs.”
“Too big for your bra, aren’t you?” Larry yanked her from the chair, squeezing her wrist hard. “You shouldn’t have brought the cop, but he’s your problem. As for the show, it must go on.”
“I don’t have a swimsuit,” Avery protested. “I’m allergic to orchids.”
“Go with Miss Renzi. You will be modeling swimsuits and plastered with orchids.” His smile widened, full of teeth, like the leer of a hungry wolf.
“Come,” Tatiana commanded.
Avery glanced at the professor for direction, but he did not meet her eye. His gaze was drilling through Jason with an expression of raw dislike.
They hadn’t expected her to bring a cop.
Too bad.
* * *
Avery remainedquiet until Tatiana led her into a bedroom. One wall was floor-to-ceiling mirror, and a large flat platform bed sat in the center of the room. A simple black-and-white cross-over swimsuit lay on the blood-red bedspread. Beside it was a pair of stilettos.
“What’s the point of me wearing that?” Avery asked.
“Don’t ask any questions.” Tatiana made a brushing motion at the corners of the room.
Of course, they were monitored.
