Page 82 of XO Karma

“He doesn’t know who I am, and they won’t find my face in any facial recognition database, but…” Her voice trails off, and nerves swirl in my gut.

“But what?”

“He ripped off my wig during our fight.” She sways, and nerves dance across my skin at a pace I’ve never experienced.

“So if he saw you somewhere,” I choke out, the words difficult, “he might recognize you.” She nods, and I curse under my breath. I reach out and take a strand of her real hair, twirling the pink around my index finger. “Have you considered pink may not be the most inconspicuous color?”

“Why do you think I wore a wig?” She cocks a brow, inhaling deeply, followed by a wince.

Are you okay? is on the tip of my tongue, but she’s so clearly not. “I have to kill him.”

“What?” Her face reddens with anger. “Why?”

“If he’s seen you, you’re not safe. If he recognizes you, you’re dead. I tried explaining this to you before.”

She shakes her head, pacing the room. “We can’t kill him.”

“Why not?”

“Because,” she stutters, flustered, then spins to face me. “Because you can’t just go around killing people!”

My brows furrow. “Says who?”

She points at her chest. “Me!”

“I didn’t realize I was taking orders from you.”

She throws her arms in the air. “Well, we sure as hell can’t let the serial killer be in charge.”

“So, Mother fucking Teresa should be instead?”

“I just shot a guy inches from his dick. I’d hardly consider myself Mother Teresa,” she snaps back, but I don’t miss the way the corner of her mouth quirks upward.

My gaze drops to her lips, then returns to her prideful eyes. “You liked it, didn’t you?”

Her expression says a thousand words, but the only one that escapes her pretty lips is a hesitant, “No.”

“Such a little liar.” I grip her chin between my finger and thumb, and she slaps me away. “Admit it. You felt powerful. Strong. Invincible.”

Her desperation to tell the truth is fighting her desire to admit I’m right. “He deserved what I did to him.”

“He deserves a hell of a lot more. And if him staying alive puts you in danger, that’s not a risk I’m willing to take.”

“Careful, Aster.” Her pupils dilate, turning those beautiful ocean eyes into a small stream. “Or I might think you actually care about me.”

My fingers graze along her arm, goosebumps erupting in their wake. “Would it be so bad if I did?”

“Sounds like it could be dangerous for everyone else,” she says, exhaling, and I laugh.

“That’s the truest thing you’ve said tonight.” I lift the hair off her neck, brushing my thumb over her pulse point, and she sighs.

“It was terrible,” she says, the words lacking conviction, as her heart pounds.

“You don’t have to lie. We’re the only ones here.”

“I’m not lying,” she attempts, her words still empty of truth as she retreats, and my hand falls away.

“Why are you so scared to admit you liked it?”