Page 99 of Celestial Combat

The one thing I’d ever asked of him – to not mess with Natalia’s life like the asshole playboy he was – and he couldn’t even do that.

I’d tried calling both of them but to no avail. I’d have my little chat with my brother soon enough.

I would’ve been worried if it not for all the gossip about both of them walking away like nothing happened.

I stepped into the glow of the overhead floodlights, scanning the cargo as one of Trevor’s soldiers pried open a crate.

I hadn’t gotten involved before.

But after everything I’d been through? Sitting back wasn’t an option anymore.

I motioned toward one of the guys. “You got a count?”

“Four cases still in the truck. We’re ahead of schedule.”

Good. The faster this was done, the better.

I stepped back to check on the other crates when a shift in the air caught my attention – subtle, but unmistakable. A presence behind me.

I turned.

Zane.

He stood just beyond the light, half in the shadows, hands in his pockets. His expression was blank, but the sharpness in his gaze cut straight through me.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then, slowly, he stepped forward, his presence coiling tight around the space between us. “Are you out of your mind?”

I sighed, turning back to the crate. “You shouldn’t be here.”

“I was about to say the same thing to you.”

“If you’re about to give me a lecture, don’t waste your breath. We’re done.”

Zane exhaled, the sound slow and measured, like he was trying to keep it together. “Oh,believe me, we’re far from done.”

“That depends. Are we talking business? Because in that case, I’m thinking about market value. Demand. Supply. Basic economics.”

His jaw ticked. “Cut the shit, Kali.”

I glanced at him, unimpressed.

“You hacked my security.”

“Clearly, wasn’t very secure.”

“You think your safety is a joke?”

“Not as serious as you and my brother seem to think it is. Who – by the way – for some reason, believes you’ve never slept in the same bed as me.”

His expression darkened.

“I wonder what he’d think about you taking my clothes off.”

“You asked for my help.” His gaze sharpened, shoulders shifting like he was trying to suppress his anger.

“Right.” I gave a slow, sarcastic nod. “The same way I asked to use your bathroom in the first place?”

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