Gabriel saw something shift in her eyes. “What are you thinking?” She ducked her head and moved past him, but he blocked her at the door. “Oh, God, you’re trying to protect me, aren’t you?”

Her head shot up, expression fierce. “Ten bodies, Gabriel. I can’t let it become eleven. I can’t let it be you.”

“The police can protect both of us, Erin.” He cupped her cheek. “You don’t have to pay penance by sacrificing yourself. I’ll call Sylvie. They’ll send a detective into your apartment and—”

“And what?” The horrible visions she’d wrestled with all morning flashed before her, filled her words. “He’s vicious and cruel. And smart. Smarter than Sylvie or Sanchez or any of them.” She flung her hands out, imploring Gabriel to understand. “He’s patient. Patient enough to wait two years to come after me. Nine lives that we know of. I won’t risk another death on my conscience, Gabriel.” Now she shuddered. “I couldn’t bear it.”

Gabriel wrapped her close. “Okay. Okay. But we go together.”

Erin pulled away. “You can’t come inside. He’ll know.”

“I’m not waiting in a car while you risk your life. Either I come with you, or you don’t go,” he announced.

She cocked her head, fascinated. “How do you plan to stop me?”

The crooked grin warmed and infuriated her. “I’ll leak the story to the Chronicle. And WBCC and WNOG and—”

“Fine. I get it.” With a defeated sigh, she shoved him out of her way. “I need to grab my bag. Is Sebastian still downstairs?”

“I’m driving you,” Gabriel growled. “Not him.”

Amused by the spark of jealousy, Erin returned to where he stood. She reached up and pulled him down to her mouth. The kiss was hard and fast and exciting, and both struggled to catch their breath when she released him. Erin traced his lips with her fingertips. “I’ve never done that or several other things with Sebastian. But he drove me here and he’s taking me back. Otherwise, he’ll just show up and ruin everything, trying to play Lancelot. See you at the apartment.”

HER BRAVERY SURVIVED the ride to her building and the endless climb up to her apartment. Along the way, she identified several faces that had never been inside 216 St. Bennett before. Sylvie hadn’t been kidding about providing protection. With Sebastian on her heels, she unlocked the apartment and froze.

It lay on the floor. The cream envelope taunted her, dared her to lift it and read its contents. Behind her, Sebastian waited, knowing she had to make the decision. She inhaled deeply and scooped up the paper. Willing her hands to be firm, she broke the seal and reached inside. This time, the envelope contained a torn strip of paper with letters scrawled in blue ink.

sanskarida uorthiphascabesthai