Page 173 of Celestial Combat

I padded over to my own bedroom and found my keycard. Then I grabbed my phone and locked my door.

My pulse was little louder than my steps as I padded barefoot closer to Zane. Just knowing I’d soon feel his warmth, sink into the familiar scent of him and leave the world behind, was enough to make my lips curve into a secret smile as I raised my hand to knock.

The hotel hallway was dim and hushed as I pulled the suite door shut behind me.

I made it halfway down the hall when Tony turned the corner and met my eyes.

He looked exactly like what I’d expected from him at this hour – hair a messy disaster, his shirt undone and hanging out of his trousers. Though, he didn’t look like he’d had that much fun.

We both froze when we saw each other.

His brow arched. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing,” I blurted, far too quickly.

That only made his smirk spread into a knowing grin. “I didn’t see anything,” he drawled, voice low like he was sharing some big secret.

Before I could fumble for a reply, he winked and disappeared into his room, the door clicking shut behind him and leaving me alone in the sleepy hush of the hallway.

My face felt warm, my heart thudding as I padded quickly the last few steps to Zane’s door. My knuckles tapped the polished wood a couple times, before it swung open, his broad silhouette filling the doorway.

“Hey,” he murmured, his eyes soft with sleep and something deeper.

I slipped inside without a word, his hands immediately at my waist as the door clicked shut.

The world fell away – just him, me, and the quiet dark of the hotel room as I melted against him, safe and finally where I wanted to be.

Chapter 45

Present

Hawaii

I LAID BACK AGAINST THE cabana’s mountain of cushions, the sun overhead beating down in white-hot rays that shimmered off the ocean like scattered glass. The ocean breeze was nowhere to be found this afternoon, so everyone had retreated into the broad shade of the cabana – girls on one side, guys on the other – an easy, tired division after a morning of swimming and laughing. The scent of sunscreen and salt was so thick you could taste it.

The cushions were hot against my back, and my hair was damp and messy from the water. Across from me, Kali was stretched on her stomach, chin propped on her hands, sunglasses pushed up into her sun-dried curls. Even from here, I could see the tiny droplets on her skin glistening like crushed diamonds. Every time she glanced up at me, my chest felt like it was filling with something too big for my ribs.

“Drinks incoming,” Matteo announced, weaving between chairs with Tony and Zach trailing behind him.

The three of them handed frosty glasses around, the ice clinking like a song.

Zach peeled off to give Maria hers, leaning over to kiss her before they wandered off together to collapse into their own cozy corner of the cabana mattress. They melted into each other without a thought. Together. Carefree.

And god, I envied him for that.

My fingers brushed my glass, condensation slick against my palm, and my gaze drifted back to Kali. She was laughing at something Francesca had said, her face bright, hair spilling like ink across her shoulders.

I took a slow drink, wishing I could just go to her – kiss the water from her lips, feel her hands in my hair, and sink into that quiet world that belonged only to us.

But instead I stayed where I was, content to burn in my own private way while the ocean sparkled endlessly and the cabana held everyone close.

Francesca’s sudden gasp broke through the gentle hum of the afternoon, her drink nearly sloshing over the rim as she leapt up. The glint of sunlight off the glassy pool was so bright that for a second all I could see were shapes and color, then Natalia and Kali’s hands were up, waving eagerly toward someone across the pool.

That was enough to catch all of our attention. Gìo paused mid-sip. Even Tony glanced over his shoulder, sunglasses sliding down his nose, though his smile fell.

Two figures were weaving their way past white-linen cabana curtains and tropical blooms toward us – Natalia’s sisters, Carmen and Kim in beach dresses. Five bodyguards trailed discreetly behind them.

Natalia was on her feet in a heartbeat, a bright, unfiltered smile lighting up her face. Kali bounced up too, bare feet padding across the deck to meet them.

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