Page 84 of Celestial Combat

His gaze flickered to my lips, just for a second.

Both of us leaned in.

Just a little.

My lips parted just slightly–

The sharp bing of a phone text message shattered the moment, cutting through the air like a blade.

I looked away, clearing my throat and focusing on my plate. Zane exhaled, his jaw tightening for the briefest second before he pushed back from the island, reaching for his phone on the counter.

I swallowed, my pulse thrumming beneath my skin. “Business?” I asked, my voice quieter now.

Zane didn’t answer right away. His dark eyes scanned the screen, unreadable, before he finally muttered, “Trevor. He wants us to meet him at your family’s mansion in Queens.”

I reached for my coffee, taking a slow sip, forcing my heartbeat to slow.

Whatever had just happened between us – whatever had been there – was gone.

For now.

The SUV rolled to a smooth stop in the circular driveway of the Su Dynasty estate, the low purr of the engine fading into silence.

Even though I’d been here countless times before, the sight of it still struck the same impression – grand, powerful, untouchable. The mansion loomed in the early afternoon light, a blend of modern, and traditional Cuban and Japanese architecture, its dark wooden accents and curved rooftops standing in contrast to the crisp white stone. Cherry blossom trees lined the entrance, their petals swaying in the breeze, and behind the estate, the carefully manicured Zen garden stretched out, just visible past the high walls.

Trevor and Richard Su were already waiting by the front pillars, their sharp gazes locked onto the SUV as if they had been standing there the entire time, anticipating our arrival.

I cut the engine and turned my head slightly, glancing at Kali beside me.

She exhaled, slow and steady, but I could see the way her fingers flexed slightly in her lap before she reached for the door handle. Even with all the strength she carried, all the steel woven into her bones, coming home after a night like last night had its own weight.

I stepped out at the same time she did.

Trevor’s sharp eyes flicked to his sister first, scanning her the way an older brother did – quick but thorough. He didn’t miss the oversized white T-shirt she was still wearing, didn’t miss the way she was moving just a little too carefully, and definitely didn’t miss that she had just climbed out of my car.

Still, he didn’t say anything. Not yet.

Richard Su was a different story.

Where Trevor’s sharpness was in his expression, Richard’s was in his presence.

Kali spoke first.

“Hi, Dad.” Her voice was steady, even as she looked between him and brother. “Trevor.”

His mouth twitched, something almost amused. “You look like shit.”

Kali smirked. “Good to see you too.”

Richard didn’t react. He simply turned his gaze to me, and I met it head-on.

Then, as a sign of respect, I bowed slightly – tilting my chin down just enough for it to be acknowledged.

I had known Richard Su for a long time. Long enough to know that a gesture like that went a lot further than words ever could.

Richard’s dark eyes held mine for a moment longer before he gave a small nod in return.

“Come inside,” He said simply, turning toward the entrance.