Page 22 of Triggered By Love
He followed her into the kitchen, looking at the glasses sitting on the counter.
“I doubt he’s in your database,” Tatiana said, taking a swig from her beer. “Why are you really here?”
Since she didn’t stop him, he took out his fingerprint tape and unrolled it. “I hate bullies. If he’s beating on you, I want him stopped.”
She pointed to a glass and gave him a wink. “You hate the way he rearranged my pretty face?”
“Physical assault is never called for.” He put on gloves and prepared to lift the fingerprints.
“You’re wondering if I’m involved with him, aren’t you?”
“Are you?” He couldn’t help noticing the sultry look of her lush lower lip and the alluring sweep of her slightly slanted eyes. Fortunately, he wasn’t attracted to her, and she had no resemblance to Avery.
“No, he’s a debt collector, or he works for one, not monetary, of course, but rather influence and power. It’s not easy starting a business in this city—the rents, the licenses, and in my line of work, you need an established client population—wealthy women with eating disorders or neurotic bankers with impulse control issues.”
“Why do you let him beat on you?”
“Punishment.” Her pout was exaggerated by the puffiness of her injury. “Ever heard of self-flagellation? It’s a way of atoning for my sins.”
She had problems, and it was nothing he could solve. “You’re pulling my leg.”
“No, you’re pulling mine.” She watched him dust for prints on her counter. “What’s really going on here? Why is a detective in my apartment lifting prints on a routine call instead of a uniformed cop?”
“Following up on a hunch,” he said. “You don’t seem like a typical domestic violence victim, even though you’re trying your best to act like one. I have many investigations going on. Lots of unsolved crime, and I don’t like to leave loose ends.”
“So, you spend your spare time stalking women you believe are victims?” She raised a slender dark eyebrow. “Come on, Detective. You don’t fool me.”
“Not trying to.” He pressed the transparent fingerprint tape onto the backing to stabilize it. “Just doing my job.”
“Except I won’t testify,” she said. “And I’m betting that beautiful model you’re stalking won’t either.”
“What do you know about her?” His gaze snapped to the therapist’s assessing eyes.
“Come on, Burnett. Don’t play coy with me.” She crossed her arms and gave a sassy flip of her chin. “I’ve seen you around, following her, and everyone knows you were the guy at the fashion show who shot the killer. Who were you investigating back then?”
“I wish I knew,” he said, heading to her door to leave. “About that appointment, tell my partner Blade Camden you counseled me. Told me not to get angry.”
“Don’t get angry, Detective.”
* * *
Avery lovedJoan and hated how conflicted she felt about Matt, Jason, and the upcoming fashion show. What was she hoping to accomplish by dedicating her Cocky Heroes line to Brando? It wouldn’t bring him back, and it was forcing her into this deal with Matt Swanson.
While Joan went to the kitchen to pour lemonade, Avery checked her text messages. Alida had set up a Saturday afternoon date with Matt at the same coffee shop she’d met Jason. It would only last half an hour, but allowed ample time for a camera crew to capture several clips that Alida could post to Matt’s social media.
“Everything okay?” Joan came out of the kitchen with a strained expression and two frosty mugs. Her gaze was fixated on Avery’s phone.
“Oh, it’s just my publicist.” Avery placed the phone facedown on the coffee table.
“I thought you might have heard from the detective,” Joan said. “I looked out the kitchen window and saw him.”
“Was he coming or going?” Avery took a sip of the lemonade and tried not to pucker her lips at the tart taste.
“Coming in.” Joan shrugged. “You didn’t buzz him up, did you?”
“Nope. Not me.” Somehow, she felt deflated, not that she had any right to. Jason could visit whoever he wanted to. So, he was unable to stay away from the woman next door. It shouldn’t mean anything to Avery.
He was doing his job. Or maybe he had a personal reason. Why was she so bothered by this bit of news?
