Page 174 of Celestial Combat

Maria pushed Zach off her without a thought, causing him to roll on his back while she rushed over to her friends.

The five of them collided in a swirl of chiffon and laughter and hugs, their perfume – jasmine and salt and sunscreen – riding the warm breeze all the way to where we were lounging.

“Look at that,” Zach murmured, reaching for his glass again.

I felt myself smiling, leaning back on my hands as their voices rose in easy greetings. It felt good just watching them together like this – whole and happy – the blue sky overhead and the bright gold sun spilling across the cabana like a blessing.

The girls’ voices preceded them, light and breezy, as they crossed the sun-dappled deck and joined us beneath the sprawling cabana.

They stayed standing, too caught up in their conversation.

Carmen reached out to squeeze Natalia’s hand. “We’re so sorry we missed the ceremony.”

Natalia’s four half-siblings had been in Italy, celebrating the New Year there with their parents.

“Maria sent us about a thousand pictures,” Kim teased, grinning as she nodded towards the assassin-turned-lover-girl. “I feel like I was there.”

“It was beautiful!” Maria called back, leaning into Zach’s chest as they reclined together in the corner like they hadn’t left each other’s arms since they got together. Even under her sunglasses, I could see the softness in her gaze; I’d never seen her cry before that day.

“Never thought I’d see you so sentimental, Maria,” I teased with a smile.

She tilted her chin up proudly. “I have my moments!” she replied, arms winding comfortably around Zach’s neck as she settled into him.

“It’s fine,” Natalia laughed, assuring them warmly. “And we’ll probably have to do another wedding anyway. What about the twins?”

“They had business with dad,” Carmen said with a small shrug, then brightened. “But they can’t wait to see you when they’re back in New York.”

That was when Kim straightened up a little, eyes bright. “Wait – you’re going to have another wedding?”

Trevor gave a lazy shrug. “Yeah,” he said, voice low with a touch of pride. “With both families and everything.”

I could feel the energy shift as Kim’s gaze went to Natalia again. “So you’ll invite dad?”

A sigh ghosted across Natalia’s lips, her hands folding in her lap. “Ugh,” she muttered. “I’m not there yet.”

“I heard you made up with one asshole already, no?” Kim asked, pointing at Gìovanni. “What’s one more?”

That made Gìo laugh. “Fuck off.”

“Talking of weddings…” Francesca, changed the conversation. “What floral arrangements are you thinking about, Gìo?”

Carmen turned to him, surprised. “You’re getting married?”

Gìo’s jaw clenched. He didn’t answer.

Trevor, lounging with a mock-serious grin, leaned forward. “Yeah, Gìo. Whenare yougetting married?”

“Fuck off.”

“Better yet…” Trevor chuckled. “To who?”

Gìo’s face darkened with irritation. He moved, hand shooting toward Trevor’s shoulder, but he was quick – twisting away, grabbing his wrist to hold him back. Gìovanni nearly locked him in a headlock before Trevor ducked out, and Gìo shoved him off.

Francesca let out a snort. “You two getting along is so weird.”

Kali’s brows were raised in amused disbelief. “So weird,” she repeated.

Gìo sat up straight, voice low and stern, “We’re not getting along.”

---