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I held on tighter. “A light went on in your apartment. Are you sure you weren’t expecting anyone?”
Her body tensed next to mine. “No. Mae texted me to say she’d drop Karma off tomorrow morning before work, and Simone doesn’t have a key.” She gasped. “What if it’s Dr.—? No, it couldn’t be. He’s still in the hospital, right?”
I kept scanning the area. Nothing unusual so far. “He’s not the threat I’m worried about.”
“Are you thinking it’s a burglar? Should I call the police?”
I let go of her wrist. “No. No cops. I’ll deal with it. Give me your keys.” A burglar was easy to handle and Dr. Rothwell, even easier. But if this had to do with me, it could turn deadly.
She handed them over. “Well, okay, but—”
“Get in the car, lock the doors, and wait for me.” I didn’t want her up there. It could be a trap. If it was the Devil’s Eyes, it would be really fucking bad, and I wouldn’t be able to protect her against a whole gang. She was safer in the car. It was as reinforced as my Humvees.
I guided her to her seat. “Don’t open the door for anyone except me. Not even a cop.” Because every mobster, mafia boss, and gang leader had some of those in their pockets.
She glared at me, obviously fucking pissed at me for snapping at her. She’d forgive me later once she was safe.
Lila opened her mouth as if she was about to argue, but I beat her to it.
“Do you understand me?” I bit out.
She huffed. “Yes, but you shouldn’t—”
I slammed the door. There was no time to argue. After one last scan of the street, I slinked into the building and took the stairs. Quietly.
What if this was part of the gang war? Had I been sloppy? Did they know about Lila? Unlikely, but I couldn’t rule it out.
Once I got to the landing on her floor, I pressed my ear to the door, listening for sounds in the hallway. After a minute of hearing only my beating heart, I took out my gun, held it at the ready, and opened the door by a quarter of an inch.
The hall was empty. From the landing, I inched the door open so it wouldn’t creak, I kept my eyes and ears alert. At the first sight of movement, I’d be ready. With one cautious step in front of the other, I prowled down the hall. Once I reached her door, I pressed my ear and listened.
There was definitely someone inside. And that someone was singing. No, wait, not singing, but humming? I didn’t recognize the melody, but it didn’t sound like the type of song a motorcycle gang would know. It was too gentle and sickly sweet.
And I didn’t think it was a thief either. Turning on the lights and humming? Most thieves went in and out unnoticed.
Whoever was in there wasn’t worried about getting caught. Probably someone psychotic. Who else would be roaming around someone else’s home while humming to…? I knew that melody. Leo listened to it all the time. Was it “In the Mood” by the Glenn Miller Band?
Man, I was definitely dealing with a weirdo.
So far, I’d only heard one person inside. This would be easy. With my hand on the handle, I slowly turned to check if it was locked.
It was.
With Lila’s keys, I nudged the one that looked like the best fit in the lock as soundlessly as possible. While listening to the humming maniac walking around inside, I turned the key until it unlocked and hoped the intruder hadn’t heard anything. I inched the door open.
After a loud wheezing gasp from within, the door flew open, and a bat swung my way.
I raised my arm, aimed my gun, and…
What the…!
