Page 158 of Triggered By Love
Thank God Jason had breathed for her and kept her warm. He was the only reason she survived until the ambulance arrived with their oxygen tanks.
Her father kissed her cheek, followed by all three brothers. They wanted her to move into The Manor for good. No more apartment on her own. Work remotely from home and hold appointments and consultations by computer. Buy everything online, sight unseen.
She couldn’t do that. She needed the vibe of The City, shopping at the various fabric stores and warehouses full of bling where she never knew what she’d find. Her creativity was stimulated by the sights, sounds, and even smells. She needed to run her fingers over a particular fabric, hang it up and look through it, feel it against her face.
Fashion was a tactile, up-close, and three-dimensional art. The canvas was a living, breathing, and sweaty human body. Every detail mattered, from the way the fabric draped, how the lighting affected it, the texture and sounds it made while in motion, and most importantly, how it made the wearer and the beholder feel.
She couldn’t do all of this hiding at home!
Besides, now that she and Ivanna agreed to work together, she was looking forward to designing costumes for the many theaters, maybe even getting into the Broadway shows.
She closed her eyes after her family departed, but the door soon opened with a commotion.
“Sir, sir, you can’t go in there,” a nurse shouted.
“I need a doctor’s opinion.” Jason barged in looking as hot and sexy as if he’d stepped from the pages of a hunting magazine.
His hair was tousled, and he hadn’t shaved. His biceps bulged from his black silk T-shirt, and his jeans were ripped in the right places.
“Jason, what’s going on?” Her heart leaped at seeing him, but the anxiety on his face frightened her.
“We need to get out of here, stat. Can we get the IV out?” He examined her arms and hands.
“Sir, the patient is supposed to rest. She’s not ready to go.”
“She has to come with me. It’s urgent,” Jason said. “Avery, tell them you want to check out. They can’t hold you against your will. It’s the law.”
“Won’t I be safer here?” she asked. “The police set a guard.”
“You didn’t hear it from me,” he whispered. “But the police might be in on this. If Ernesto didn’t shoot Brando, someone did.”
“Doesn’t mean it would be a cop,” Avery said.
“I don’t remember reading anything about Ernesto’s fingerprints on the gun. I don’t think his hands were tested for gunpowder residue. Everything was swept out of the way, and Ernesto’s body was cremated and the ashes were sent home.”
Avery swallowed as fear rose in her throat. “Kerry told me Trent’s going around saying the same thing. That the cops covered up for Ernesto.”
“Did she name anyone in particular?”
Avery shook her head. “He says Blade told him to be careful when he asked about Ernesto’s toy gun.”
“Are you afraid to go with me?”
She shook her head adamantly. “No. You care too much, and you won’t stop until you nab these assholes.”
“Then tell the doctor you want to leave.” Jason turned as the doctor rushed into the room followed by the nurse.
“Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to leave,” the doctor said. “Patient privacy.”
Jason gave Avery a meaningful look and retreated. “I’ll be right outside waiting.”
Avery swung her legs off the bed and waved her arms. “I’m ready to go. Can we get the IV out?”
“We wanted to observe you for twenty-four hours,” the doctor said. “This is highly unadvised.”
“Thanks, I know. But since I’m conscious and in sound mind, I think I can take care of myself.” Avery laid her arm out on the tray-table. “I won’t hold you responsible.”
“You’ll have to sign, of course,” the doctor said. “Let me check your vitals and you can be on your way. Do you want to notify your parents?”
