Before I could talk myself out of it, I slipped into my room, yanked my dress over my head, and pulled a fluffy white robe over my body. One Az kept in the closet for guests. I wondered if any other girls had worn this thing.

“What a stupid thought,” I muttered to myself.

Suddenly, my phone rang. I pulled it out of my purse and checked the number. Serena. My heart squeezed. She was probably worried sick about me.

“Hey, Serena,” I said as soon as the phone hit my ear. “Sorry I didn’t call. I’m okay.”

“Thank heavens,” she whispered back. “I’ve been worried sick. I can’t explain to Noah what’s going on, and he thinks I’ve lost my damn mind. Where are you?”

My stomach twisted. She didn’t know I’d faced the killer in the alley. And I couldn’t bear to tell her. “Az’s apartment.”

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but good. Stay with him, okay? Just until the killer is caught.”

“I will, Serena. You don’t need to worry about me.”

“Not happening. I’m going to worry about you until this whole thing is over.” She sighed. “I’ve got to get some sleep. I have work in the morning. Text me tomorrow?”

I squeezed the phone tight. “Always. Love you.”

I found Az out on his balcony in the hot tub. Steaming water bubbled around him and droplets clung to his stubbled chin. He’d beaten me to it, which meant I wouldn’t have a chance to see if he had a tail. On the other hand, I could definitely see his bare, sculpted chest. The guy looked as if he could bench press an entire car.

Maybe he could. How strong, exactly, were demons?

He arched a brow as I hovered nervously beside the hot tub. “You coming in?”

“Yeah, I just…” A flush crept up my cheeks. “Wow, it sure is hot.”

“That’s kind of the point.”

“Yeah, I know, it’s just, well, you know.” Ugh. What was wrong with me? With an inward growl at myself, I turned my back to him, pulled off the robe, and quickly dipped into the tub before Az could get an eyeful. As the hot water engulfed me, I met his gaze. The intensity in his eyes shook me to my core.

“Lace,” he said, arching a brow toward my bra. “Interesting choice.”

“I didn’t have many options,” I replied with a roll of my eyes. “I rushed over here with my single suitcase, and I haven’t done laundry yet.”

“Is that one suitcase all you brought with you when you moved to the city?” he asked lightly, leaning back against the edge of the hot tub.

Instantly, I tensed. “Yes.”