My eyes widened as Dez hit the brakes. A smaller red car had zipped out in front of him. “It’s not a big deal. I took care of them.”

“Not a big deal? You’re not safe there if Gabriel knows where you’re staying.”

“Gabriel has probably always known where I’ve been staying, and for whatever reason he sent his minions after me last night,” I pointed out.

“You can stay with us—”

“And put you in danger? Your wife and children? Is that what you’re suggesting?” I watched his jaw harden. “Because what’s stopping him from finding me there? I’m not willing to risk that. I don’t think you are, either.”

He was quiet as he guided the SUV down the tree-lined hill. “You shouldn’t be there by yourself.”

“I’m not. I have Peanut.”

Dez looked over at me.

“He’s a ghost,” I stated with another shrug.

“I don’t even know what to say to that.”

“There’s nothing to say.” I tapped my foot on the floor of the car. “I appreciate your concern. Even Nicolai’s. But I’m fine where I am and if that changes—” it quite possibly could “—I’ll let you all know.”

“I get why you don’t want to leave the apartment.”

“You do?” I arched a brow.

“You don’t want to leave in case Zayne comes back. You want to be there.”

I opened my mouth, but snapped it shut as I stared at the dark blue of the sky. Pressure clamped down on my chest. I didn’t want to put anyone else at risk, and I knew there could come a time that I would have to leave the apartment, but Dez was also right. I wanted to be there in case Zayne somehow snapped out of this without my intervention. I wanted to be there in case he came looking for me.

Even if it wasn’t to snuggle.

If Dez knew that Zayne had already been at the apartment—the roof of the apartment, to be exact—he’d probably hog-tie me and stash me away.

And I knew I was being irrational. I knew I should pack my ass up and hunker down, but when did I ever do the rational, sane thing? Never. I started nibbling on my thumbnail. But maybe by this time tomorrow night I’d have a way to neutralize Zayne so I could bring him back.

Or set him free.

“You need to be careful, Trinity,” Dez started.

“I am.” Kind of. Weight settled on my shoulders as the high school came into view. One marked police vehicle sat outside, beside another black, unmarked car.

Never did I think I’d be so happy to see a haunted high school.

Dez pulled in behind the unmarked vehicle. Killing the engine, he turned to me, and instinct told me he was gearing up for some kind of deep talk.