Page 162 of XO Karma

“He was able to fake your death and make it look like a Kodak killing. The photos were very convincing.”

My heart stops. “He also drugged me.”

Aster’s entire body tenses. “He did what?!”

“I’m as pissed about it as you are, trust me. But for some reason, I still don’t think he’s the Kodak Killer. Besides that, he didn’t try to hurt me at all. He looked so… sorry.”

“Jackson was working for my father.” His face tightens. “He might have put him up to it.”

“Your…” I bring a hand to my temples. “He what? How’d you find that out?”

Aster paces, shaking his head. “My father just personally informed me.”

“He’s in Cleosville?”

“Yep. He showed up right after I blew Jude’s head off. Oh, and get this?!” Aster throws his arm in the air, theatrics forcing my heart rate to a thousand. “Jude was also working for my father.”

My jaw is on the floor. “So, do we think your dad is the master mind? Is he Kodak?”

Aster shakes his head. “I don’t know what to believe anymore.”

“You and me both.” I drag a hand down my face. “So, what should we do now?”

“I think we go to the house and talk to them. See what happens,” Aster suggests. “We won’t get answers sitting here and speculating.”

I nod, forcing bravery I don’t possess. “Let’s do it.”

47

LILY

Shouting emanates from the house as Aster and I stand outside the front door. By the sound of it, I’d assume Jackson and Violet have a lot of explaining to do for Liam. If there’s one person who was gutted by her death as much as I was, it’s him. The last year we’ve spent in this house, Violet’s house, mourning her, and now she’s just… back.

“How can I live here like everything is normal?” I ask Aster, my hand frozen on the door handle. My brain is so jumbled I can hardly breathe. Guilt settles inside. “I’m ecstatic she’s alive. Truly. But I also feel like I don’t know her at all.” She keeps giving me half answers, and what has she been doing this whole time? I shake my head, eyes meeting his. “I’m supposed to just sleep under the same roof and act like the past year of my life never happened?”

“Babe.” He grabs my hand, pulling me to him. “There’s a very simple solution.”

“Oh, really?”

“Move in with me.”

“What?” I huff a laugh. “We’ve been dating for, like, two weeks.”

“Yes, but if you count our mutual stalking courtship, it’s been almost two months.”

“That is an insane technicality.”

“But it’s also true.” He takes my hands in his. “And I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep without knowing you’re safe beside me every night. So really, it’s a selfish ask.”

“Let’s see how this conversation goes first.”

“Well, I hope you don’t feel like it’s necessary. But just in case.” He pulls out his keys and twists one off the keychain, handing it to me.

“You know I could just break in if I really needed to.”

“Would you just…?” He holds it between us, and I take it, clutching it to my chest.

“I’ll cherish it with my life.” He pulls me to him, pressing a gentle kiss to my lips.