Page 175 of Celestial Combat

Trevor threw back his head, laughter rumbling through him as he fell back on the sunbed. One by one we all joined him, and even Gìovanni cracked – the first reluctant smirk appearing, then turning into a chuckle.

It always used to be Gìo that was getting on Trevor’s nerves. Now, it seems like they switched roles

As everyone divided into their own conversations,I noticed Kim walking over to the guys’ side.

She sat down beside Tony, whose posture was tight, jaw set, eyes deliberately turned away.

“Hey,” Kim said carefully, which seemed unlike her, though I didn’t really know her. “How are you feeling?”

“Fine.” Tony didn’t look at her.

“The scar is fading. That’s good, right?” She meant the scar on his side – the one from the gala incident when he stepped in front of her and took the bullet meant for her.

Tony said nothing for a moment. Then, with his jaw still clenched, “Yeah.”

Kim kept her voice gentle. “You sure you’re okay?”

“I said I’m fucking fine, Kim.” And with that, he stood, all tense muscle and suppressed anger, and walked away without a glance.

No one noticed the exchange until Tony was already leaving.

Zach called after him in confusion, “Hey, where you going, man?”

But Tony never turned around.

I frowned and met Kali’s eyes across the cabana – she’d seen it too. Her expression mirrored mine; tight with concern. We both watched Tony’s back receding, Kim flattening herself back onto her towel, eyes downcast, and the rest of the group drifting toward unaffected conversation.

Kali noticed Kim was still a little taken aback, so when she suggested the girls go to the pool, all but Francesca agreed.

Francesca stretched out her arms with a sigh. “Too much sun for me. I’m staying right here.” She collapsed back, pleased with her decision.

The girls melted away like a wave retracted by the tide, then the remaining men took up positions: lounging on sofas, drinking and playing cards. The minutes passed in lazy conversation, laughter, and stories about the ceremony.

Matteo emerged from the pool and settled down at Francesca’s feet with a grin. “Hey, beautiful,” he cooed, his voice smooth and confident. “Did it hurt when you fell from heaven? Because–”

Francesca didn’t even need to look at him. Her voice was flat, business-like, “Finish that sentence, I’ll rip out your tongue and tie it into a bow, so you never bother me again.”

She stood and strode past Matteo, her platinum blonde whipping him across the face, as she rejoined the girls by the pool. Matteo smirked after her retreating figure, eyes warm with admiration.

“What the fuck, man?”

Matteo shrugged, dripping water from his arms. “Your sister’s hot.”

Gìovanni’s eyes narrowed. “Do you want me to kill you?”

Matteo laughed softly, still grinning after Francesca. “I think I just fell in love.”

“You’re not fucking her over like all those other girls you got trailing after you.”

Matteo raised his hands in mock surrender. “I don’t lead anyone on.”

The men paused as Matteo’s gaze slid across the group, landing on me. I shook my head, subtle but clear. Now was not the time.

His jaw set, and after a moment he waved it off. “Alright. Whatever.”

My eyes met Kali’s again and we both smiled when she caught me rolling my eyes.

The sun was a perfect gold coin stamped against the clear Hawaiian sky, so bright it painted every ripple of the pool in liquid diamond. I sat at the edge, my feet dangling in the water, the heat kissing my shoulders and arms as I leaned back on my hands. The tiles beneath me radiated warmth, grounding me in the moment.