Page 29 of XO Karma

“I probably should,” he mimics, the pupils of his green eyes dilating until they appear entirely unhinged in a way that makes me squirm.

“Now, that wouldn’t be any fun.” I bat my lashes. Maybe if I match his energy, he’ll consider sparing me.

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small rope, and my stomach sinks, optimism escaping me. “Hmm.” He grabs my hands, lifting them to the side of a rack containing various cleaning supplies. “True.”

“What are you doing?!” I yank, but he’s too strong. My heart pounds. This is how I die. He tugs them tighter, the cool metal digging in, and wraps the scratchy material around my wrists and the post. My skin burns at the friction as I fight him, but it’s no use. He smirks at his handiwork, and then those sea-glass eyes meet mine.

“It’ll take you at least fifteen minutes to get out of those. I suggest hurrying unless you’d like to be caught in the alleyway with burnt remains.”

Then he’s out the door without another word.

10

LILY

I’m not dead.

Certainly in imminent danger, but I am indisputably, undoubtedly not dead.

Aster may have spared me, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this were just a long, screwed-up game of cat and mouse.

How much does he know?

How many times have I felt I was being watched, and actually was?

The only place I’ve had true privacy is when I’m home, otherwise who knows where he’s followed me.

The champagne on the table taunts me. Tiny bubbles float to the surface like every new question in my mind. I snatch the flute and down it in one sip.

“Earth to Lily,” Amara says, snapping a finger before my eyes.

“Sorry.” I force a laugh, blinking back to the present moment, and return the empty glass to the table with a clink.

“What were you looking at?” Zuri asks from her spot beside me between mouthfuls of chocolate chip pancakes.

“What do you mean?” I ask her, taking a bite of my own, stabbing a strawberry for an extra burst of sweetness.

“You were staring over there like this.” Zuri makes an exaggerated effort, eyes wide open, looking towards the restaurant’s brick wall I just zoned out on.

“Just got a lot on my mind today, Z,” I say.

My eyes meet Amara’s, and she gives me a sympathetic smile. She doesn’t know the extent of my job, just that I do some type of private investigative work, which isn’t a lie, and it often has me working weird hours and getting shit sleep.

The waitress walks by and retrieves my empty glass. “Would you like another?” she asks.

“Mimosa this time, please,” I reply, and she nods, hurrying away.

“Want to walk by the harbor after brunch?” Amara asks.

“I wanted to go to Colette’s candy store!” Zuri pouts, and Val laughs.

“It’s fine,” Val says. “You two go, and I’ll take Zuri to Colette’s.”

“Yay!” Zuri cheers, all but buzzing off the chair in excitement.

“Because she really needs more sugar?” Amara counters.

“Come on.” Val smiles at her wife endearingly. “I’ll get you those sour purple gummies you like.”