Page 187 of Celestial Combat

“You can let Kali go now.”

“No,” Zane replied without pause. “I’m taking her as collateral.”

“That wouldn’t be smart, Zane.”

His fingers twitched at my side, and then, with a sharp exhale, he let go of me. But only to hold the gun better, aimed right my brother.

“Get on the jet, Kali.”

I froze for half a breath, eyes darting between the brother I’d loved all my life and the man I was now in love with, heart and soul.

“Zane…” I whispered, but he didn’t look back at me.

“Now, Kali.”

This was happening.

I turned to Trevor one last time. His expression didn’t shift – not angry, not scared – just careful.

Still, I turned and climbed the stairs. Every step echoing the weight of what I was choosing.

WhoI was choosing.

I slipped into the seat closest to the window, my knees drawn up instinctively. My chest ached. My throat burned. My entire world felt like it got set on fire.

Five seconds later, the jet door sealed shut with a hydraulic hiss.

Zane didn’t look at me as he made his way to the cockpit,

“Change of destination,” I heard him say, voice low but firm. “We’re going to Moscow.”

The captain, oblivious to what had happened behind the jet, didn’t even hesitate. “No problem, sir.” I felt the engines hum to life beneath us, the jet beginning to roll.

I turned my face to the window. Outside, Trevor was already on the phone, his expression unreadable. He couldn’t see me through the blacked-out glass, but I watched him anyway.

What did I get myself into…?

Chapter 47

Present

Hawaii

ZANE RETURNED FROM THE COCKPIT like he’d just finished a casual conversation with the concierge. No urgency. No tension. Just that same maddening calm stretched across his face as he sank into the couch opposite me and rested his elbows on his knees, hands folded, watching the floor like it had answers.

My hair was a mess, clinging to my damp cheeks. My throat still ached from crying, and my breathing came in soft, uneven gasps. The pressure in my chest hadn’t gone away – it just sat there, coiled like a live wire.

The jet vibrated gently beneath us. A low rumble grew, and with it, we began to ascend – away from Hawaii, from Trevor, from everyone.

Zane didn’t say a word. Just sat there in that still, unbearable silence, like he hadn’t just pointed a gun at my brother. Like he hadn’t usedmeto do it.

My skin flushed with heat – rage, confusion, fear – and I snapped.

“You asshole,” I muttered, voice sharp, and then I lunged.

I threw myself at him, fists connecting with his chest, arms, shoulders. Anywhere I could reach. “What the hell is wrong with you!?” I yelled, every word cracked with fury. “How could you!?”

Zane grunted but didn’t fight back. Didn’t even flinch. That made it worse.