Page 23 of Paws & Order

"Nothing else disturbed?"

I shake my head.

Then I see him notice something on the kitchen counter.

The tulips from last night have a faint watery sheen along one leaf, like someone dripped condensation from a glass.

He swabs it with a paper towel and bags it.

"Creepy or considerate?" I ask.

If you scrub out the context, the gestures haven't been threatening. Just perfectly, utterly violating.

Cassian rises, and there's a new tension in his jaw.

"Doesn't matter which. It's still a breach. Suggests capability and intent."

I want to sass that line, but honestly, the air is too dense.

"You think they were here while I was home?"

"What I think," Cassian says, lowering his voice, "is you should let me stay here. Like a stakeout. Until we figure this out. You shouldn't have to face it alone."

Heat flushes up my neck.

"So your plan is to move in? Play house while I'm the guinea pig?"

He softens a fraction.

"Liza, this is targeted. Obsessed. You're the variable. Having me here changes the game. Give me one night."

I press my lips together.

"I don't need a babysitter."

"Not babysitting. Backup. If they're not playing by physical rules, you can't handle it all yourself."

My pride bristles, but underneath it I'm grateful.

"Fine. But I'm not some kid you tuck in at night."

"Deal."

He lets that ride.

Cassian strides through the apartment, inspecting every lock and latch.

He tests the deadbolt, checks the windowsills, and even inspects the cat flap Gomez pretends not to know about.

Satisfied, he glances at the sprinkler head and the attic hatch, eyes flicking through a mental list of supernatural entry points longer than a plumber's directory.

"Anything else?" he asks.

I shake my head, pretending confidence.

Gomez pads over and presses against Cassian's ankle, purring like a miniature threat.

Cassian kneels and scratches behind the cat's ears.