Page 118 of XO Karma

“Not that I can remember.” Guilt settles inside. I never paid much attention to her clients or work stuff. She never offered information, and I never asked. I figured it’s how she wanted it.

“Did you ever meet any of her clients?”

I drag a hand through my hair, blinking to suppress the moisture welling in my eyes. “No, she always went to their houses.”

Saying it out loud, I know how sketchy that sounds. I suppose it’s not if she knew them, but showing up at people’s houses, some who you may not have met before?

Sketchy.

Her murder has made me much more cynical.

“Would she have kept a client list anywhere?”

Shaking my head, I mumble, “I don’t know.”

“Maybe it was an art deal gone wrong?”

Oxygen eludes me with every question I don’t have the answer to. “I mean, I suppose it’s possible. Or maybe a case of wrong place, horrible timing? Maybe she overheard something?” My chest aches. Violet, fuck, I should have paid more attention.

“Do you still have any of her belongings?” Aster asks, eyes meeting mine.

No more waiting, Lily. Time to decide. Do you trust this man?

“Yes,” I finally reply. “The house I live in was hers. Her room is”—a mausoleum—“untouched.”

“That’s where we should start.”

“We?”

“It could help to have a fresh, unbiased pair of eyes.”

My mind spins. I promised Liam I wouldn’t keep digging into the Kodak Killer, but I am so desperate for answers, my chest aches. “Okay, but we have to do it when Liam’s at work.”

He huffs. “Fine by me.”

“L works the night shift tomorrow, so why don’t you come over?”

A wicked grin spreads across his face as he reaches for my hip and pulls me in. “It’s a date.”

“This is the weirdest courtship I’ve ever experienced.”

He stifles my laugh with a searing kiss. “Baby, you ain’t seen nothing yet.”

35

LILY

The sun shines on my face, and I can’t stop smiling. Last night was insane, but also spending time with Aster is just so… fun. Regrettably, we didn’t get to the clothes ripping part of the evening. We were both so exhausted after brainstorming about Kodak, we passed out the moment we crawled in bed. I did feel a bit guilty considering I had a mind-altering orgasm while he finger-banged me in Jude’s study, and all I left him with was raging blue balls. He assured me he didn’t mind, and that after all, he’s a giver, as I’d joked.

He dropped me off on his way to work, and since I’m nervous as hell about searching Violet’s room tonight, I forced myself to go for a walk to grab a coffee and get a little fresh air.

Turns out sunshine and a sweet treat can do wonders for your mental health. I take a seat outside Mocha Muse, mulling over if I should check Karma requests or do more recon on the client list I found last night.

The decision is made for me when a familiar face slides in the opposite chair.

“Late night?” Jackson asks, with a teasing smile, gesturing to my extra-large coffee.

I fold my hands on the table. “Well, good morning to you too.”