Page 126 of Divine Obsession

Leaning back in the booth, a flicker of movement near the entrance caught my eye. I stilled, my heart skipping a beat when the figure stepped into the light.

Dressed sharply, as always, his dark suit tailored to perfection. With Zach Di’Ablo by his side, he moved through the crowd with the same quiet confidence, like the world bent to his will.

When he glanced up to the VIP section, catching my eyes, the knot in my stomach tightened. I immediately looked away.

But I wasn’t sure I could keep up the act for long. Because as much as I hated to admit it, Trevor Su was here, and somehow, I knew he wasn’t just here for the party.

As the night passed, I let myself relax. Drinks were flowing. All the girls were dancing. The music was good. The company was good. Laughter came easily between us, and for the first time in weeks, I felt like I could breathe.

The moment I caught Zach Di’Ablo burning the clothes off Maria with his stare, I knew something was going to happen.

“Okay, don’t look now,” I whispered, leaning closer to her, “But there’s a ridiculously hot guy staring at you like you’re his next meal.”

Maria didn’t even blink. Without a shred of hesitation, she turned her head, unapologetically obvious. She shrugged, her dark hair cascading over one shoulder as she turned back to me. “Who?”

I let out a small sigh and tilted my head toward the far corner of the VIP section. “Behind you. Black suit. Ridiculously perfect bone structure.”

Maria followed my gaze and, sure enough, Zach was there, all six-foot-five of him, leaning casually forward; elbows resting on his knees. His dark hair was slightly messy, his sharp features framed by the dim, golden and red light – making him look all the part ofDiablo– the biggest narcotics traffickers in the Western Hemisphere.

He didn’t bother hiding the fact that he was looking directly at her. When their eyes met, he smirked, slow and lazy, lifting his glass for a drink before winking over the rim.

Maria turned back to our table, her face blank.

I knew she wouldn’t make this easy.

I’d known Zach since college; he was a great guy. Would be good for her.

“And…He’s coming over.” I smirked into my glass, taking a sip.

“And…” – She stood, smoothing her sparkly, black top with deliberate calm – “I’m going to the bathroom.” Maria smiled, walking the opposite way.

“Oh,Dio,” I muttered under my breath, but she was already heading down the stairs, the epitome of cool indifference, her red-bottom heels clicking against the polished floor.

Zach continued making his way to our table, his gaze lingering on Maria.

“Who is she?” He asked, his deep voice cutting through the music.

“My best friend,” I replied, arching a brow.

“Name?” He reached us just as she disappeared into the crowd. His dark eyes followed her like a hawk tracking its prey.

“Maria.”

He hummed, almost in agreement. “Maria,” He murmured, like he was testing it out. His lips curved into a dark smirk again, as though her name alone had sealed his interest.

“You’ll find her at the bar.” I took another sip of my champagne. “But you didn’t hear that from me.”

Zach’s gaze flicked back to me, flashing one of his killer smiles; already going to follow Maria down to the main floor, moving through the crowd with a predator’s ease. “Thanks, Nat.”

Maria had just left, and I’d barely turned back to the table when Zach started cutting through the crowd like a shark. He stopped just shy of our booth.

“Where’d she go?” He asked, his voice casual, but there was no mistaking the interest beneath it.

Francesca, lounging beside me with an air of regal indifference, tilted her glass toward her lips, her perfectly arched brow raised. Her amusement was bubbling beneath her cool exterior, just as I felt my own lips twitch.

“She headed for the back exit,” I said, leaning back in the VIP booth. “You should probably go after her.”

Zach’s eyes flicked to mine, narrowing slightly, as if he wasn’t sure whether to take the suggestion as a challenge or an opportunity. “Really?”

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