“Fine,” she relented. “But I figured you’d have more important things to do today.”

“Nothing is more important than you.”

Her lips parted. Her gaze searched his. “You say that like you mean it.”

He absolutely did mean it. “I’ll get the keys.”

***

Layla Lopez was on her fourth cup of coffee. Fourth, maybe fifth? She’d kinda lost count because she’d pulled an all-nighter.

A sharp knock sounded at her office door. She grunted a response, and the door opened, revealing her partner Mac’s rumpled form.

“Pack it in, woman.” A big, brown envelope was tucked under his right arm. “The bad guy is on a slab. There is no reason for you to be dead on your feet.”

He was right. She should go home. Collapse in bed. Stop drinking the coffee that tasted like piss. She stretched her shoulders and heard weird things pop. But as she rose, her gaze was drawn to the envelope. “What’s that?”

He looked down. “Oh, yeah. The report on Mark Rogue’s sister. Poor girl never stood a chance. She was hit from behind and then stabbed by her assailant.” He shuffled forward and offered the file to her. “No wonder he went all crazy on the perp last night. That shit happened to my sister, and I’d be forgetting my badge, too.”

She exhaled. “Thanks, Mac.”

He pointed at her, one short and stubby finger. “Go home. Get some rest. Don’t let this job kill you.” He turned on his heels. “The perps aren’t worth it.”

She put the envelope down on her desk. He was right. The case was done. The killer was on a slab.

Her fingers slid over the envelope…

***

Piper’s gaze swept toward the gallery. Sure enough, she could see the crime scene team there. “I’m really over yellow police tape.” It was flapping in the wind. “This is going to destroy business.” When word spread that her gallery had been the scene of a murder…

Eric wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “No, you’re not looking at it the right way. You’ll get a ton of press. And you’ll get all of the curiosity seekers who want to come by. Business will boom.”

She threw him a doubting glance.

He shrugged. “Glass half full, okay? Not empty.”

Piper could only shake her head. They headed for the front of the tattoo shop. There was a neon sign to the right of the store, and the green letters glowed OPEN. She entered the shop, and a little bell jingled overhead.

But no one was behind the counter.

“Mark?” Piper called.

The black curtains behind the counter parted, and he rushed out, a smile on his face. “Piper!” But the smile dimmed when he saw— “Eric?” Mark stopped. “You…is the protection detail still going on?”

Eric’s arm was around Piper’s shoulders. She felt him stiffen.