“In the gun safe in my room.”
“On it.” Jean jogged to my bedroom.
“So, this is a little awkward,” Myra said. “I should bring you in. Find out if the injured parties want to press charges.”
“I know. But I’d rather you go to the library.”
“You weren’t going to make Jean arrest you, were you?” she asked.
“No. Jean’s going to return the items and explain the situation. She’ll get statements, and bring people to the station to fill out paperwork if need be.”
“I’m what now?” she asked coming back into the room.
“Returning the stolen items to the owners.”
“Uh—”
“Which means,” I said, turning to Ryder, “you need to arrest me. I’m turning myself in, Reserve Officer Bailey.”
He blinked. “You know this is serious?”
“Absolutely.” I held up my hands, wrists together, and waggled my eyebrows. “Cuff me, Danno.”
“I’m not going to cuff you.”
“Not even in a sexy way?”
“No. This— Delaney. How did you let another demon do this to you?”
That was when I realized my man wasn’t worried, he was furious. Furious at me for getting snookered again.
But I had nothing to be ashamed of. Avnas had found a vulnerability in me, in Ordinary, and abused it. My job was to keep him locked down until I could undo his damage.
I was doing my job.
But apparently Ryder thought I was stupid enough to hand my soul to any demon who happened by.
“How did Ilethim?” I dropped my hands, my stomach clenching with the familiar mix of anger, sorrow, and disappointment.
He was pushing away. From us. From me. I didn’t know where he was trying to escape to—
—what was he hiding—
—but I was tired of walking the extra miles he put between us to try and stay close to him.
“Forget it. I’ll go to the station myself. Hatter or Shoe can process my statement.”
I walked to the door, hurt stewing in my gut.
“That’s not—” He sounded exasperated. “You don’t understand. Okay, you do, but not what I’m saying.”
“Don’t you have work to do?” I asked. “Something out of town? Might as well get back at it. I’ll see you tomorrow morning while you’re running out of the house before I get up.”
That was a petty jab, and I knew I was off my footing. But dammit, how could he just assume I wasn’t fighting with every scrap of my being to keep Ordinary—and myself—safe?
“Delaney,” Ryder said. Warning and frustration. Neither would do him any good.
I grabbed the doorknob, but before I could take another step, a whistle pierced the air.
