I peeked around the doorsill to find Derek Stone, kneeling on the concrete floor, studying the blood spill.

I must’ve made a noise because he saw me and jumped up, then ducked under the yellow tape and hustled me down the hall.

“I won’t pass out,” I insisted, almost stumbling from the bum’s rush he gave me.

“So you were whimpering on general principle?”

“I never whimper,” I said with a sniff.

From two rooms down, Ian popped his head out. “You made it.” He approached and wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close for a quick hug; then he walked me to the new workroom. “You’re working in here.”

“Okay,” I said, and hated that my voice trembled. Seeing that dark red blob brought back all the horrors of the night before.

The new room was identical to Abraham’s in every way-except for that pesky bloodstain on the concrete floor.

I eyed Derek Stone over Ian’s shoulder as he followed us into the room. He stared right back at me. Today he was dressed in a black turtleneck sweater, black tailored trousers and a dark pine green cashmere jacket. Essentially, we were dressed alike, although his outfit probably cost several thousand dollars more than mine. Show-off. Not that I cared, but I guessed security paid more than your run-of-the-mill cop salary.

Ian turned to me. “I understand you two have already met.”

“I’ve had the distinct pleasure,” he said, his mouth twisting in a wry grin.

My stomach tingled and I could’ve smacked myself. Yes, okay, he was indeed gorgeous as honey-baked sin, but that didn’t mean I was the least bit interested in a man who considered me capable of killing someone in cold blood. It just wasn’t flattering, and my self-esteem was healthier than that. I hoped.

I wasn’t surprised to find myself attracted to Derek Stone since I clearly had no clue when it came to choosing appropriate men. Recently, my own family had forbidden me to act alone when it came to dating, simply because I’d been engaged three times without closing the deal. I don’t know what the big deal was. So I picked the wrong men. Who didn’t?