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there out on the street following Astor and taking photos of him. Whoever killed him most likely saw you. They might wonder what’s on that camera of yours.”
    The realization of his words crashed over me, and my blood began to pound in my ears. Pierce was right. Anyone could have seen me, especially the killer. And he might think I’d gotten a shot of him just before he’d done the deed.
    “You’re going to come and stay with me until the police find the killer. Do you understand?”
    I blinked up at him, still unable to comprehend what he was saying. “Stay with you?”
    “This is all my fault. I was the one who got you involved.” He gave me a fierce nod. “The safest place you could be is with me.”

As I stood there in Pierce’s fancy living room, I realized I had no idea what I was doing. He’d somehow talked me into packing a bag and coming with him back to his place. He’d been insistent, and his worry about my safety was almost endearing. Until we got there, and I remembered what staying in his apartment really meant.
    Besides, I couldn’t really be in danger, could I? Even if the murderer had seen me taking photos, that didn’t mean he’d think I saw anything. Because I hadn’t. I’d turned right around and gone home, totally unaware that anyone was about to get shot.
    I shivered as I stared out at the sparkling city lights through Pierce’s apartment windows. Somehow, in the matter of days, my new Manhattan life had got turned one hundred percent upside down. I’d come here to carve out a new life, but it was quickly becoming the life I’d never expected in a million years. And one I wasn’t entirely sure I wanted.
    “Are you cold?” Pierce asked, moving to my side and taking my beat-up college duffel bag from my shoulder. It was only half-full. I’d been in such a hurry to leave that I’d only managed to grab enough for two days.
    “No.” I hugged my arms to my chest and shook my head. “Just a little freaked out.”
    Pierce gave a serious nod. “Understandable. It’s a bit of a shock knowing you could be in danger. But trust me, Emma. You’re very much safe here. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
    Frowning, I met his gaze. “I’m just not so sure I’m really in danger, Pierce. If the murderer had thought I’d seen him, wouldn’t he have tried to stop me then? And it’s been days since it happened.”
    “I’m not sure, Emma.” He twisted me to face him, and I couldn’t help myself as I looked up to meet his serious gaze. A part of me hoped he’d lean down and kiss me hard before carrying me off into his playroom, showing me things I’d never seen and taking my mind off murders and fear. “Better to be safe than sorry.”
    I felt like I couldn’t argue with that…
    Pierce reached out and placed a hand on my neck before sighing and shaking his head. He stepped away, and I ached to follow him, but the look in his eye gave me pause. “I think we should lay some ground rules for your stay here.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?” I frowned.
    “I meant it when I said I brought you here for your protection, Emma.” Pierce gave me the slightest of smiles. “I also meant it when I said I only do one night stands. I’ve already broken that rule for you once, but I think it’s best if we keep things between us strictly platonic while you’re staying here. I don’t want things to get complicated between us.”
    It almost felt like a slap on the face, and I had to twist away so he wouldn’t see the tears in my eyes. What had happened today in his office had been his idea, not mine. And now he was turning me away again, when he’d been the one to bring me to his apartment like he was some kind of white knight in shining armor. Only he wasn’t. He was something else.
    “Yeah, sure,” I said, still refusing to look at him. “I didn’t want anything else anyway.”
    “Emma…” I heard him sigh before he turned away. “Come with me. I’ll show you to your