She’d had a couple casual relationships with men who had come and gone; both had been musicians, and their schedules had gotten in the way...

Relationships were scary for her because of her ability to see the dead. She’d learned to hide it in everyday life, pretend she was talking on her phone so she could converse with a spirit, but to live a full life with someone... It would be such a lie to omit something like that about herself. And if she revealed it? Surely they’d back away faster than they could say boo.

Nothing had ever ended badly. No one had broken her heart. They had just faded away, and she had known she had just been biding time. She had never allowed anything more than friendship to develop between her and Matt or their friend Benny. Friendships were hard to come by, and they were good friends.

And now... She laughed inwardly at herself and smiled in the darkness.

She didn’t really know how to handle herself with a mature male. Especially one she never thought she’d tolerate, much less come to like and respect.

She gave her head a shake. Maybe she was doomed to being likable and maybe even a bit charming—and alone.

Whatever...

It had been a long day. A hard day. But she had seen Jennie. And it seemed Dan believed her. George was here, and Dan was respecting his promise regarding George.

And still...

She felt she was living and breathing pure tension.

But over that, exhaustion.

Finally, she felt the comfort coming, the inability to open her eyes, the sweetness of sleep.

It must have been a deep sleep, because when she opened her eyes, she didn’t know why.

Then she heard it. Movement downstairs.

She shot out of bed, barely daring to breathe, terrified at first, and then remembering Dan was down the hall. She paused on the landing, her heart thudding so she was sure it could be heard all the way down to Bourbon Street.

“Katie.”

She heard his voice as he spoke her name quietly.

“You can come to me. I’m at the foot of the stairs.”

She pattered down quickly. He was just inside the front door. He had on his jeans, but his chest and feet were bare.

He had his gun in his hand.

“What is it?” she whispered.

“Someone was here,” he said, and he let out a sigh. “Around back. He was going for the back door.”

“But—”

“I heard him, but he heard me coming. He was gone before I could reach the door and get out. I’ve called Ryder and Axel. They’ll start a search of the neighborhood.”

She nodded. “Thank you,” she said. He was telling her a killer had come for her; the killer had been at her back door.