Page 105 of Celestial Combat

She was a vision of casual, effortless chaos.

Leaning against the bar, her black siren eyes glittering under the neon lights. Long, pin-straight black hair cascading down her back, her sharp features highlighted by dark makeup. Jeans, a sparkly top, heeled sandals. A designer handbag on the bar next to her, big hoop earrings glinting as she turned her head, acrylic nails tapping against the glass in her hand.

Kim had the aura of someone who could burn an empire down with a single glance.

And she knew it.

I braced myself for whatever was about to happen.

Because Tony wasnothappy…

The second he stopped in Kim’s space, everyone except her shrunk into their seats.

“What the fuck are you doing here?”

Kim didn’t flinch. Only took a slow sip from her drink, dark eyes rolling with irritation.

“Having a drink.” She raised a perfectly arched brow, looking up at him from beneath long lashes, unbothered. “Obviously.”

Tony smirked cruelly. “You’re not supposed to be here,Kelsey.”

Someone gasped. People around us started laughing.

I knew damn well Tony knew Kim’s name.

They’d known each other their whole lives. Cosa Nostra kids – raised in the same circles, the same rules, the same pressures. Used to be friends.

But while Tony had been encouraged into the chaos, Kim had been kept out of it.

Or at least, they’d tried…

Kim finally turned to him fully then, her dark eyes gleaming with challenge. “Oh,I’m sorry, is the illegal street fighter gonna lecture me about morals now?”

“You shouldn’t be here.”

I wasn’t sure about his relationship with Kim. What I did know, was that in the Cosa Nostra, seeing a Don’s daughter in a place like this, without bodyguards, and not taking her home, was punishedseverely.

“This place is filled with Made Men, criminals, and egotistical assholes with more testosterone than sense. Soundsexactlylike the world I grew up in.”

“Don’t be a smartass.”

“Then don’t be a hypocrite.”

I bit my lip, trying not to laugh.

Tony’s nostrils flared, and before Kim could take another sip, he reached out and snatched the glass from her hand.

Kim’s head snapped toward him, offended. “Are you serious?”

“You’re underage.”

She let out a scoff before tilting her head, eyes narrowing. “You’re the last person who should be talking.”

Tony’s jaw tensed.

“You’re twenty. Here, illegally fighting. You’ve done more drugs than anyone I know. And you’re gonna act like you’re my fucking babysitter?”

Tony exhaled harshly through his nose, stepping closer and crowding Kim’s space.