“I can’t have you on the investigation any longer when it puts you at risk.” The fact that she’d been letting him tag along was an embarrassing slip in protocol. “It’s too dangerous.”

Benjamin looked up with a subtle scowl. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“You’re a civilian and it’s not safe for you to be participating in the investigation now that people are shooting at us.”

“I can take care of myself.”

“It’s a liability issue for the department,” Luna said, holding firm, even though that wasn’t the biggest reason. She would never forgive herself if anything happened to Benjamin on her watch. “Sorry.”

“And what about you? That bullet could’ve been meant for you as much as it was for me,” he reminded her.

“It’s possible, but the risk comes with the job—my job, not yours.”

“And I’m a retired marine. I think between us we can handle whatever the killer throws our way.”

“We don’t know that and I can’t take the risk.”

“I’m not running from anything.”

“You’re not running. I’m taking you out of the game.”