Page 13 of Triggered By Love
“He stalks me. He thinks he’s my guardian angel, but I’m betting he doesn’t like to lose. He’s watching to see if anyone will make a move.”
“Why would they?” Kerry asked. “It was probably a random crazy guy and you were unlucky. Maybe gang initiation. I’m sorry Brando got caught in the crossfire.”
“Me too, but I guess Brando would want me to go on,” Avery said. “I’ve designed an entire heroic menswear line to honor him at Manhattan Fashion Week.”
“That’s why I called,” Kerry said. “I’d like to do the ramp walk with you in Brando’s honor, if you’d have me.”
“Oh, Kerry Merry, of course I’d have you, but I can’t put you in danger.” Avery felt her heart catch in her throat. “We don’t know if they were gunning for me.”
“We’ll be safe,” Kerry said. “The president’s daughter modeling for you is such a coup, plus the hunky Secret Service agents are a big bonus. I’ll be safe.”
Kerry had faced down sharks in the water, but she wasn’t made of iron. After being bitten, she’d conquered her fear of surfing, and Avery was proud of her courage and glad for her support.
“I’d love to have you walk with me, but this is something I have to do myself,” Avery said. “My publicist is offering a football player. I can’t put him in the line of fire either.”
“You can’t think that way,” Kerry said. “They might have been gunning for Brando. I know everyone loved him, but Finn says there are nuts out there who are jealous of heroes. They target those who are revered, hit policemen, military veterans, and the most beloved firefighters. There was a case out in…”
“Please, Kerry, I don’t want to hear.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything. Avery, I’ll be there in a week, but I’m hugging you so close.” Kerry’s voice broke.
“I love you, Kerry, you know that,” Avery said. “Don’t be sorry. I have to face the fact I might never know.”
“I know, and it’s so hard to look over your shoulder all the time.”
“Actually, not really.” Avery let the towel drop since she was alone, then stood up, stretching. “If a bullet finds me, I won’t complain, as long as no one I love is in the way.”
Chapter Six
Left hook.Right jab. Thud. Thud.
Feint and duck. Then a swing. Blocked.
Jason parried with his left fist and punched.
His glove glanced off his sparring partner’s shoulder, and he raised his left glove to protect his face.
Pow.
The punch snapped his head back, and he reeled onto the ropes. His right ear rang where he was boxed, but he pushed himself back into the fight.
He swung wildly at his opponent, landing a blow and missing another one. Off-balance, he stumbled and was knocked down.
His partner, Blade Camden, ripped out his mouth guard and extended a gloved hand to pull him up. “You okay, Jase?”
Jason swallowed back the nausea that accompanied the stars circling his visual field and nodded. Sucking in a breath, he struggled to his feet. “I’m good for another round.”
“I say we hit the showers and call it,” Blade said. “Any plans for the evening?”
“You hit the showers. I’m just getting started.” Jason mock-punched his partner. “That was only the warmup.”
“Something’s bothering you.” Blade Camden might be a rookie on the police force, but he was a former UFC fighter and so physically fit he hadn’t even broken a sweat.
Add to that a rugged, square face, jutting browbone and aggressive jaw that didn’t seem to dent, no matter how many punches he absorbed.
“Nothing more than the usual.” Sweat rimmed Jason’s eyes, and his hair was soaked underneath the headgear.
“Want to talk about it?”
