Page 128 of XO Karma

He gasps for air, coughing and wheezing while holding his neck. I crouch to the piece of shit’s eye level, spit directly in his face, and say, “If you ever come near her again, you’re dead.”

37

LILY

The motorcycle rumbles beneath us as we slow to a stop in Aster’s driveway.

“Are you okay?” he asks the second we dismount, and he tugs me to him. His fingers fumble with my helmet’s chin strap, making quick work of unbuckling it. After setting it on the seat, his hands fly over me, anger etching deeper into his expression with each passing second.

“I’ve been worse,” I reply, and it’s true, but I can’t deny my body aches, and my head throbs to the beat of a bass drum.

When I exited the bathroom, someone grabbed my arm, dragging me behind the building. Not seeing their face, I stupidly thought it was Aster stealing me away for a private moment. It was only when Nolan threw me against the wall, I realized the massive mistake and considered perhaps I should pay better attention to my surroundings. And kidnappers. Nolan got in a few good hits before Aster arrived.

“Let’s get you inside,” Aster murmurs, gesturing me towards the door with a protective hand on my lower back.

Once I step through the threshold, a wave of relief expels from my body. An amount of comfort I shouldn’t feel walking into a home I’ve only visited a few times. One of those being breaking and entering.

“We should clean your wounds first.” He ushers me upstairs to his bathroom, then pulls out a first aid kit, setting it near the sink. “Come here.” He lifts me by my waist and drops me on the granite countertop, then blots a cotton ball with antiseptic.

I hold out my hand. “I can do it.”

Aster’s soft gaze meets mine. “Baby, just let me take care of you.” Baby. My chest squeezes, and I relent as he slides himself between my legs, electricity thrumming between us. He brushes his thumb against my face, and I wince. “You are thoroughly testing my willpower as of late.”

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

“You getting hurt.” His jaw ticks, eyes darkening. “It makes me murderous.”

“We’ve had this conversation.” I rest my hand on his face, and he leans into it. “You can’t just kill everyone who touches me.”

His brows furrow. “Why not?”

“Because that would be insane.”

“Lily.” A heavy exhale escapes him as he rubs his finger more lightly over the forming bruise on my cheek. “You are precious.” My stomach flutters at his words. “Ridding the world of anyone who’s caused you harm? That’s my duty. If something happened to you—” His voice catches.

“I’m fine.”

“He could have killed you.” Aster’s tortured eyes glisten with an undecipherable expression. Fear? Anguish?

“But he didn’t.” I flatten his free hand against my chest. “I’m right here.”

He shakes his head, fingers flexing against my skin. “If something happened to you, I wouldn’t survive it.”

His admission rattles me to my core. Gone is the teasing flirt, and in its place is a gentle, caring, and fiercely protective man. “You would.”

“You’re wrong.” His eyes are so earnest, I almost believe him. “And I told you from the beginning that guy should be six feet under.”

My gut churns. Because honestly, there’s a small part of me, or rather a large part, that knows he’s right. Nolan had his chance to straighten out, and instead he beat the shit out of me. Is that why he started drugging girls, so he didn’t have to hit them instead? Anger thrums through my body, and tears prick my eyes.

“Hey,” Aster murmurs, slipping his hand into my hair. “I’m not mad at you.”

“No, I know.” I blink them away. “I just think you… you were right about Nolan. What I did wasn’t punishment enough. It didn’t work.”

His expression softens. “I wish you would realize when I recommend permanently deleting someone, it’s not out of bloodlust. It’s because I truly believe it’s what’s best. For you and the rest of the world.”

“I know.” This is all my fault. A heavy knot twists in my stomach. “I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to apologize for,” he assures me.