Page 111 of Push My Buttons

Jace's expression darkens. "He's escalating. Rapidly."

Before we can discuss it further, Theo lets in Detective Rivera. "Ms. Maddox," she says, nodding to me. "I apologize for not bringing a translator with me. Things have been... hectic this morning. I hope one of your boyfriends can assist?"

I nod, gesturing to Jace, who moves closer to me.

"I understand you were closing at Grounded last night," Detective Rivera begins, pulling out a small notebook. "Can you tell me about your interactions with Marcus Donovan?"

I hesitate, then begin to sign, keeping my movements clear and deliberate. Jace translates smoothly.

"Marcus requested that I close last night to make up for some of the time I had been in the hospital. Marcus was in his office most of the night. After the café was empty, he came out and..."I pause, remembering his hands on me, his disgustingproposition."He made unwanted sexual advances. He grabbed me."

Detective Rivera's expression doesn't change, but she makes a note. "And what happened then?"

I continue signing, Jace's voice steady as he translates."I screamed. My boyfriend arrived—he was coming to walk me home. He pulled Marcus off me."

The detective's eyes flick to Jace's bruised knuckles, then back to my face. "Your boyfriend assaulted Mr. Donovan?"

"He protected me,"I sign emphatically."Marcus had me pinned against a table. He was saying vile things, demanding sexual favors."

"I see." Detective Rivera makes another note. "Were you aware that Mr. Donovan subscribed to your camming content under the username VantaBlackVoid?"

My hands freeze mid-air. The room suddenly feels twenty degrees colder.

"How do you know about my—"I begin to sign, but she cuts me off with a look.

I feel Jace stiffen beside me, his translation faltering. Theo moves closer, his hand finding my shoulder.

"I'm a detective, Ms. Maddox," she says simply, her pen poised above her notebook.

"And after this altercation, what happened?" she continues as if she hadn't just detonated a bomb in the middle of the room.

"We left. Came straight home,"I sign, my movements jerky now.

"What time was this?"

I sign the approximate time, watching as she writes it down.

Detective Rivera studies me with that careful, neutral expression I've come to recognize as her professional mask. "Ms. Maddox, would you assume this is the work of the stalker you previously told me about?"

I nod, then decide to use my voice despite the scratchy pain in my throat. "Yes," I manage to say aloud.

Her eyebrows lift slightly at the sound of my voice. "Interesting," she says, tapping her pen against her notebook. "There was a message they found at the scene—'the punishment fits the crime'—that is actually the Reaper's signature phrase.

"But the Reaper is in FBI custody," she continues, watching my face carefully.

"I told you,"I sign, Jace translating,"they were best friends. They started killing together."My hands are steady, but my heart is racing.

Detective Rivera nods, making a few more notes in her book. "Thank you for your time," she says, closing her notebook. "We'll be in touch if we have any more questions. In the meantime, I'd suggest staying somewhere secure."

After she leaves, I sink back into my chair, suddenly exhausted. The realization that Levi killed Marcus—mutilated him—because he touched me... it's overwhelming. A wave of nausea rolls through me.

"Hey," Theo says softly, kneeling beside my chair. "You okay?"

I shake my head, not trusting my voice.

"I understand you want to be there for Maya," he says, his eyes gentle. "And I'm all for that. But can I suggest an alternative to staying at her place?"

I raise an eyebrow, waiting.