Page 149 of XO Karma

Panic courses through me at the idea that she’ll have disappeared by the time I’m released.

“She was at my house with me that morning,” I argue, anger filling my veins. “Jackson was there too.”

“At least make your lies believable.”

“I’m telling the truth.” For once.

Liam assesses me. “That’s not possible.”

I lower my voice. “You mean like it’s not possible for some sicko to sneak in your house and torment your sister? Who else knew her whereabouts all the time?”

Liam drags a hand down his face. “No.” He glances at the camera in the corner. “No. You’re the new chess piece. You’re the one I don’t trust.”

My jaw ticks. We’re clearly not able to have an honest conversation in this suffocating interrogation room. I need to get the hell out of here. “I want another goddamn phone call.”

The sun hits my face, and although relief should overwhelm me, all I feel is despair.

“Took you long enough,” I tell my lawyer.

“Sorry,” Annabelle replies, running a hand through her brunette hair. “It was harder to find a last-minute flight than I thought.”

“It’s okay,” I grumble.

“They didn’t have shit to hold you,” she says as we stand near the parking lot. They were able to find a witness to corroborate the story about seeing me fight Nolan at the fair, which is enough to explain why my DNA is present on him. They didn’t have anything else to accuse me of the killing. “We should sue them.”

“I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I just want this to be over with.” And I also don’t want to draw any more attention from the local police.

“Fine.” She waves me off. “But if you change your mind, let me know.”

“Lily hasn’t been seen since.”

Panic claws at my insides, but I’m trying not to alarm Annabelle. She’ll have questions. Far more questions than I have time to answer right now.

Yes, I’m a killer, but I didn’t kill that guy.

No, I don’t know where my girlfriend is.

Yes, I’m freaking the hell out.

No, I don’t want you to see me go full slasher because I fear that’s where this is heading.

There’s a storm brewing in Cleosville, and the last thing I want is my baby sister in the crossfire.

“You need to leave, as soon as possible,” I blurt.

She rears back. “I haven’t seen you in almost a year, and you’re just shipping me off?”

I place my hands on her shoulders. “Belle, I love you. And I really appreciate that you came all the way out here for me. But there’s some scary shit going down in this town, and you can’t be here.”

“Aster, I’m not a little kid anymore.”

“Listen, I know you’re tough. But this is… I don’t even know where to start. All I know is I won’t be able to focus until you’re safely wheels up towards San Fran.”

Her brows furrow. “You shouldn’t be putting yourself in harm’s way either. I’m not sure if you saw the paper, but there’s a killer on the loose, and while I’m glad it’s not you, I don’t want you getting yourself killed either. I can help.”

“I appreciate that, but this is an outside the courtroom type of situation.”

“Do you think…” She trails off. “Maybe you should ask Dad for help?”