Page 55 of XO Karma

“I promised not to do Karma runs.” Which I’m still doing. “Didn’t realize I needed your permission for normal evening plans.” The farthest night from normal I’ve ever had.

He sighs, glancing at the crime scene and back to me. “I never said you need my permission. I’d just appreciate it if you kept me in the loop so I don’t worry.”

An innocent smile passes my lips. “I promise to let you know if I will be out all night so you don’t worry I’ve been kidnapped or murdered.”

His expression softens. “Your tone is teasing, but I really would appreciate the text.”

“Anything for you, big brother.”

“Want me to have one of the guys take you home?” he asks, hooking a thumb over his shoulder.

“Nah, you’ve got your hands full here. I’ll be fine.”

“Okay, be careful,” he says, then hurries towards the crime scene.

My gaze finds Aster, who’s still deep in recon, and I opt to make my exit. It’s clear he’ll be busy for a while, and I’m going to need days with my thoughts to untangle the mess inside my head.

After making the short walk to his Porsche, I leave his suit jacket on the hood and fight off a chill as I start towards home. My phone rings in my clutch. Maybe Aster’s wondering where I am.

I pull it out, and my blood runs cold at the caller ID: Unknown.

Glancing around, I wonder if I’m being watched from the shadows. I’m not typically afraid of walking home in the dark, but answering these calls from the comfort of my own bedroom versus the open streets feels vastly different.

I could ignore it, but what if they’re watching and get mad and approach me?

Ultimately, I cave, pressing accept, and bring the phone to my ear.

“Hello?” I say, my gut feeling tense and tight.

“Enjoy your evening?” they ask, static blending through the line.

“No.” Anger floods my veins. “I did not enjoy my evening.”

“Really? You seemed to be having a good time.”

“You were…” My heart stops. “You were there?”

There’s a pause. “Yes.”

Frustration courses through me, moisture pricking my eyes. Once again, I was close. So damn close. “Did you kill that woman?”

A sigh comes through. “It’s important you understand the context, Lil.”

Lil?! Like we’re familiar? Is this someone who knows me or some psycho parasocial bullshit?

“Care to spare a bit of context then?” I grit out.

“You’re not paying attention… I need you to pay attention.”

“I am!” My hands shake. “You’re not answering any of my questions.”

“Well, maybe you’re not asking the right ones.” Unidentifiable noises flood through the line, and once again it goes dead. Leaving me and my thoughts to spiral like an EF3 tornado.

19

ASTER

“He’ll see you now,” a woman in a pencil skirt with a notepad says, leading me through Vetrel’s Bar. Given it’s hardly ten in the morning, the place is empty aside from a dozen guards scattered around the room, shooting the shit. But the news never sleeps—and neither do I, apparently—so here I am.