Page 26 of Problematic

“Mandi.”

She grimaced. “Pain. Paralysis. Psychic backlash.”

I sank back in the chair. “So Sam was right. Hurt this girl and die screaming.”

“Top-shelf screaming.”

I pressed my fingers beneath my jaw. “Who would do this?”

Mandi studied me closely. “You tell me. Any powerful strangers paying attention?”

“No.”

“Any scary men sending assistants for coffee?”

“That has nothing to do with me.”

“You delivered flowers to Lux Tower last night,” Sam interjected.

I shrugged.

Her eyes narrowed. “You did.”

“It was a normal delivery.”

“To what floor?” Mandi asked.

“Mandi.”

“To what floor?”

I picked at a fraying thread on my apron. “Top.”

She smacked the table.

“Do not hit furniture at me.”

“You delivered flowers to the penthouse of Lux Tower, came home, passed out, and woke up with a murder ward on your door.”

“It sounds worse when you say it in order.”

“It is worse in order.”

Sam poked her head into the front. “Line’s building again. Also, Liv, if a demon lord put a ward on your door, I call dibs on saying I knew you before your kidnapping.”

“No one is getting kidnapped.”

Mandi and Sam looked at each other.

I stood, shoved my phone into my pocket, and pointed at both of them. “Lux Draven does not know I exist.”

Mandi’s mouth twitched. Sam chuckled.

The day dragged itself over my bones after that.

By the time my shift ended, my feet had lost sensation, and my brain had become wet grounds in a filter. Mrs. Kori texted to say the flower shop had no deliveries for me tonight, and I should take the evening.

A night off.