Page 125 of Divine Obsession

The bass vibrated through my bones, the music thrumming like my heartbeat. Francesca’s nightclub,Eclipse, was everything you’d expect from Gìovanni’s younger sister: bold, extravagant, and unapologetically glamorous. The sprawling space was bathed in deep reds and golds, the lighting shimmering like liquid as it bounced off mirrored surfaces. It was the opening night, and already event of the year. Everyone who was anyone had shown up to celebrate.

In the VIP section, high above the main dance floor, I sipped on a Cosmopolitan. Francesca was in her element, laughing loudly as she leaned against the plush velvet booth, gesturing animatedly as she recounted a story to Maria. Kali sat next to me, observing the party, her blow-out catching the light every time she moved.

“This place is stunning,” Maria said, shaking her head with a smile.

“Please, babe.” Francesca waved it off with a dramatic flick of her wrist. “You think I’d let Gìo have all the glory? I’ve been dying to put my own mark on this city.”

“And you did,” I added, raising my glass to her.

Kali did the same. “The place is flawless.”

Francesca grinned, her femme-fatale features glowing under the red lights. Frowning, she scanned the club. “Have you seen Tony yet? He’s flying in from Miami tonight.”

Maria shook her head, sipping on a lemon water. “He’s not here. I already did a sweep of the place.”

“Why?” I asked Francesca, who I could tell was concerned. “Everything alright?”

“I just want to make sure he’s…Decent.”

Maria and I both nodded slowly. WeknewTony. To say he had a reputation was an understatement.

‘K.O.’ Tonywas the last person you wanted to piss off. Especially in a fight. He was known as the fighting champion of the underworld. Not a single lost fight.Ever.Amongst the numerous organized crime groups, to be undefeated wassomething.

“I don’t know what’s going on with him. I keep thinking he’s going to get it together, but then he’s at another party. More alcohol. More drugs. More fights…”

Kali shrugged; almost angry. “He’s fine. I had a phase too, remember?”

Francesca sighed, leaning in to hug Kali tight. I reached out, rubbing my hand on Kali’s shoulder with a sad smile. We never talked about that night.

The conversation flowed naturally to a different topic – more specifically, Francesca’s plans with the Family.

I smiled, but my attention drifted to the sea of bodies below.

But even among the crowd, I felt a familiar tension knotting at the base of my neck.

It had been a week since I’d last seenhim, and though I hated to admit it, I’d caught myself thinking more than once. The elevator, the argument in the meeting room – it all played on a loop in my mind. I didn’t want him here, invading mythoughts, but Trevor Su had always had a way of getting under my skin.

“You okay, Nat?” Kali’s voice broke through my thoughts.

I blinked and turned to her, offering a small smile. “Yeah, just tired I think.”

Kali arched a brow, her features so similar to her brother’s that it sent a pang through me. She and I had grown incredibly close over the years, but every now and then, her resemblance to Trevor still caught me off guard – though, I had to confess she wasmuchprettier.

“You deserve a night off.”

Francesca leaned over, draping an arm around my shoulders. “She’s right, Nat. No business, no boys. Just us girls tonight. Agreed?”

I nodded, laughing lightly. “Agreed.”

Maria raised her glass, her green eyes sparkling. “To Francesca’s growing empire.”

“And to all four of us,” Francesca added, as we all clinked glasses. “The true queens of this city.”

Kali leaned forward, her arms pushing up her cleavage. “I’m so loving the goddesses energy right now.”

“Mhm. I know that’s right,” Maria agreed, diva-snapping her fingers.

All four of us cheered, laughing as the conversation went on.

---