Page 69 of XO Karma

“Just told them what their newest customer has been doing.” She slides on a leather jacket and throws her hair into a high ponytail. Her face is bruised slightly from where he must have hit her in the altercation, and I consider going in and making a second round. Or finishing him for good.

“They didn’t look very happy about it,” I say to distract myself. I’m damn sure not.

“The cops will keep an eye on him, but those guys might scare him straight.” She sighs, sticking her hands in her pockets. Is she cold? “The problem with assholes like him is that they think they’re invincible. They’re disgusting pieces of shit who think they can just go through this world doing whatever the hell they want. Until they mess with the wrong person and they’re taught a lesson, that is.”

“Sometimes a lesson isn’t enough to get someone to stop.”

“I guess that’s where you come in.” She smirks, patting my shoulder, and walks past. My brows knit as I turn to follow her. Is she finally starting to understand me?

“Where are you going?”

“Home.” She turns back to me. “It’s almost midnight.”

“Orrrr.” I bat my lashes. “We could grab milkshakes?”

She narrows her eyes. “Are you bribing me with food?”

“Is it working?”

“Fine.” She relents far quicker than I expected. “But you’re buying.”

“I thought our date wasn’t till next week?” I tease.

She glares. “Guess I’ll be paying for myself then.”

“I’m kidding.” I walk past her and pause at my motorcycle. Opening the storage compartment, I grab the extra helmet and hold it towards her. She eyes me, then the bike.

“Where’s the Porsche?”

“It’s easier to find parking. Why? Afraid of motorcycles?”

She scoffs, snatching the helmet out of my hand. “No, I just hope you’re fine with riding bitch.” She tugs it on her head, tightening the strap, and steps past me, mounting the bike. Her short dress rides up her thighs, and I struggle not to drool at her long legs as her blocked boot rests on the pavement.

My own helmet dangles off my fingertips. “You’re not driving my bike.” My comment is weak, completely lacking any type of conviction. She wiggles her manicured fingers towards me, and I release a heavy sigh. Why is it so hard to say no to this woman? Relenting, I retrieve the keys from my pocket with a jingle. Just as she’s about to grab them, I close my fist. “Are you sober enough for this? I may break a hundred laws, but drinking and driving is not one of them.”

She pins me with a look. “I would never drive drunk. I had two sips of a martini about an hour ago.”

“Fine,” I concede, setting the keys in her hand, and she squeals in excitement. A softening feeling squeezes in my chest at the sound. Lily often has this faraway look in her eyes. That haunted “I’ve got secrets or I’ve got ghosts” look. But seeing her with pure, unabashed joy and a genuine smile on her face? That’s rare.

And I’d kill every sinner in the city to keep it there.

24

LILY

“Here you are, dear,” Dahlia says, setting milkshakes before Aster and me.

“Thanks,” I tell her, then take a long sip of the delicious chocolate beverage.

“Any luck on scheduling our first official date?” Aster asks with a lazy smile that’s so hard to resist. I still don’t trust him entirely. He’s got demons. I’m just unsure if those demons scare me as much as they should. If they scare me at all. Am I brave or stupid? The jury’s still out.

“Not yet.” Still racking my brain for a solution to that issue.

“Well, if you’re having a run-in with Jude, I should come with you,” he says matter-of-factly.

“I appreciate the offer, but it would be best if I go alone.”

He scrunches his face in disbelief. “Why?”