Page 136 of Triggered By Love
Did he speak to someone about it?
Probably not his mother.
What if he’d made threats to the professor, and Larry hired someone to take him out?
All wagons circled back to the awful Leaches.
Jason tried to relax, especially as he felt Avery slip into a deep sleep. She was soft and limp in his arms, with a sweet purring she’d deny was a snore. Her silky hair cascaded over her face, and the scent of her freshly washed hair was as clean and crisp as a meadow of wildflowers.
He couldn’t stay here on the bed all night without following up on the Leaches. What if they planned another attack at the fashion show, despite all the precautions he’d taken?
Jason’s muscles tensed, trying to figure out a way he could ease Avery off his chest. His heart was thumping so loudly, he was sure she’d wake up. He moved her hand from his shoulder, but she put it right back and clutched him tighter.
Her eyelids barely fluttered, but her breathing was steady—still asleep. He slowly, slowly rolled her toward the wall, but she readjusted herself, humming as she snuggled her face in the crook of his neck.
It was no use. He’d have to go with the flow and hold her all night like he promised. This was likely the first night in a very long time that she was able to sleep so deeply.
The investigation could continue in the morning.
He’d already put Blade on the case—given him a list of suspects, and if there was one thing he was sure of, his partner had his back.
Chapter Forty-Four
Jason’sold hunting clothes still draped off Avery the next morning, but she didn’t mind. She’d had the best sleep she could remember, and he was holding her when she woke.
Stretching herself out, she rubbed the sleep from her eyes and kissed Jason on his scruffy cheek.
He woke with a start.
“Ooops, I didn’t mean to wake you,” she said.
His eyes blinked wildly, on alert, but he simmered down when she held his head against her breasts, patting him like he was a lost puppy.
“We made it through the night, and we’re both safe,” she murmured. “Guess we better go back to the city and get ready for the show.”
“Right. The show. I have to check in with Blade.” He tried to wake his phone. “Out of juice.”
“You might as well take a shower and let me see if I can scrounge up some coffee.”
“Whatever’s in the tins is stale,” he muttered, then gave her a wet kiss on the cheek. “Be right back.”
He plugged his phone into the charger and stepped into the tiny bathroom.
While he shaved and showered, Avery watched the phone come to life. Even though the screen was locked, a series of text message summaries flashed across the top.
They were from Blade, Jason’s partner, and one particular one caught her eye.
Saul was spotted with Ivanna all friendly and cozy.
The next one said.
Suggest we question him. Maybe his alibi isn’t solid.
Another one said.
Avery’s parents aren’t attending the show???
Her heart stopped at the last message. She’d entirely forgotten that her parents had been at the show the year before. She’d blocked out the aftermath of Brando’s death, the ambulance scene, the shouts and questions, and the blessed relief of the tranquilizer shot.
