Page 42 of Blake

“Which hotel are you staying at?” She opened the otherwise empty dishwasher and placed the two glasses inside.

“I’m not.”

The ends of her long, blonde hair swung to the side as she spun around to face him.

“You’re not staying?” She blinked. “You’re not flying back home tonight, are you?”

“No.” He grinned. “I meant, I haven’t booked a room yet.”

Her lips curved into a smile. “Well, this place isn’t five-star rated, but my couch does pull out into a bed. You’re welcome to crash here for the night if you want.”

The fact that she wanted him to stay did something dangerous to his chest. She wasn’t asking so he could protect her. Devon simply wanted him there.

So Blake said, “Okay.”

“Okay.” Her shoulders relaxed.

He carried his empty pizza box toward the trash. He stopped mid-stride when a faint metallic scrape reached his ears.

His smile vanished. Devon noticed immediately.

“What’s wrong?”

Blake lifted one hand. A signal asking her to be quiet.

He listened closely but didn’t hear the sound again.

Probably just someone in the hallway going into another apartment.

The thought had only just passed through his mind when a second sound came. Closer this time.

The door.

Blake’s body reacted before his mind finished processing what it meant.

He crossed the living room in a handful of silent strides. Devon followed in his path.

“Blake?”

His gaze found hers. “Go to your room,” he whispered, motioning toward the hallway behind her. “Lock yourself in the bathroom and wait for me there.”

All color drained from her face.

“What?”

“Now.” He reached beneath the back of his shirt and pulled the pistol he had holstered there.

Devon’s eyes widened as they locked on the gun. “Blake⁠—”

“Go.”

She finally moved. As she took off for the other room, he positioned himself to the side of the doorway. Adrenaline raced through his veins as he watched the deadbolt begin to move.

It wasn’t a lot. Just enough to make it obvious someone was working the lock.

Blake pulled in a few deep breaths and forced his pulse to slow. Training took over. Whoever was outside worked silently.

Professional?