Page 77 of Divine Obsession

He knew almost every style of martial arts there was to know. He was a professional. There was a reason every crime family on the Globe wanted him on their side.

And since what happened last month, I didn’t give a fuck anymore. I wasn’t letting her do whatever she wanted. She was going to get back into fighting and learn real-life self-defense.

My parents had gone bat-shit-crazy when they found out what had gone down last month. To put it simply, it was all because of me that my sister wasn’t locked away in a tower in our family’s Queens mansion.

“You know…” Kali replied distractively, checking her new nails.Here we fucking go again.“I thought about it, after our last talk, and… Downtown? Not really my vibe. Wouldn’t want to be caught dead there–”

“He’s in Midtown. Across that Pizza place we used to go to next to Honey Locus Park.”

“Yeah…Downtown… Midtown… Same thing to me, really. Think I’ll just stick to the Upper East Side.”

“Fine. Whatever. Just, please –for the love of God– get some type of combat and self-defense classes.”

Something elusive passed through her eyes. Her voice was softer when she replied. “I will. Promise.”

“Alright.” I nodded. “You look pretty.” Throwing my arm over Kali’s shoulder, I pulled her in a brotherly side hug.

“Aw, thanks, Trev.”

“Pretty like an irritating gremlin.”

“Fuck off!” Kali laughed, trying to get away, though I already had her in a headlock.

Natalia’s head fell back with laughter, making my own smile grow, before a deafeningshhhhcame from a librarian on the other side of the room, silencing the three of us.

“Anyone up for sushi?” Kali whispered through her low giggles.

“I’m starving!” Natalia managed to whisper back.

Pushing my chair back, I stood and grabbed my laptop. “What are we waiting for, then?”

Chapter 19

Present

“How much longer do you think we’re going to be here?”

Other than Trevor’s voice, the library was quiet so late at night, the only sounds were the faint hum of the overhead lights and the clack of keys as I typed on my laptop.

We were in one of the private study rooms since we’d had to use the projector earlier. Now, Trevor was sat next to me, slouched in his chair; legs stretched out under the table like he didn’t have any energy. It was just past midnight on Thursday and we were still working on our project for Davis’ class.

“I think we’re the last people in the library. Didn’t even know they were open this late,” He murmured, more to himself, while glancing around the empty library. “Are you here this late all the time?”

“Never. BecauseIalways get my work done on time.”

He sighed at the slight dig. “Everything I gave you, that should be it. We should be able to wrap this project up already. Turn it in. Then I can focus on tomorrow night’s game. Or should I saytonight?”

Since it was technically Friday morning.

“Aha,” I said, my tone implying I was anything but amused. “You should be a comedian.”

His ebony eyes narrowed on me. “What’s that look for?”

“It’s your fault we’re still here. I mean seriously,whatare these designs?” I gestured at the mess of documents on my screen.

“I spent all week–”

“Mhm.”

---