“I know, but… Still.”
“All that matters is that we’re all okay.” My smile took a darker turn. “And that we make the Bratva regret ever stepping foot in New York.”
Natalia smirked too, winking at me, before we all turned back to the group.
Kali swept into our circle, all silk and easy confidence. Her dress shimmered like quicksilver under the lights, hugging her curves with every step. Beside her, Zane was a shadow in a black suit – understated, sharp, a little dangerous. He carried himself with that watchful stillness that never fully blended into a party, even when everyone else had a drink in hand.
“Look at this group,” Kali said, her smile wicked as always. “The OGs, all gathered again. Zach really knows how to get us all together, doesn’t he?”
“Only with an open bar and unlimited food in your case,” Zach replied, making everyone laugh, and earned a small jab from Kali. We’d all known each other since we were kids.
“So, how’s the new living situation?” I asked, my tone light, though I watched Zane out of the corner of my eye.
Zane Takashi, a close friend to Trevor, my brothers and me included, was an ex-assassin, turned underground fight club owner, turned bodyguard. All of us knew the only reason he was here for Kali, was as a favor to her older brother, his best friend, Trevor.
And now, in order to maintain Kali’s safety – after a series of targeted attacks, including the one earlier this month at the DeMone Tower which I didn’t even want to get into because it was still heavy on my heart – she had moved into Zane’s very secure loft in Brooklyn.
Zane’s expression didn’t shift, not even a fraction – blank, unreadable, like marble carved into human shape.
Kali, of course, filled the silence without missing a beat. “Oh, it’s great. Zane and I have a perfect arrangement. I supply the humor, beauty and charm, he supplies the sarcasm and terrifying glares at my new neighbors.”
We all laughed – real, warm. Even Zane’s mouth twitched. Not much, but enough to reveal the ghost of a chuckle beneath the steel.
I shifted my glass in hand and turned toward Natalia, unable to help the curiosity tugging at me. “So… How far along are you now?”
Her smile softened instantly, her hand brushing over the curve of her belly like it was second nature. “Five months,” she said, pride glinting in her eyes.
“Twenty-two weeks,” Trevor clarified, his tone solemn as though it mattered, which of course made all of us laugh.
Natalia rolled her eyes, and the rest of us girls exchanged knowing smiles. She reached up suddenly, catching Trevor’s square jaw between her small, sparkling fingers, and tugged him down into a kiss that was more possessive than sweet. The move was comical – five-foot-seven Natalia dragging down this broad, towering man – but the way Trevor leaned down for her, so unbothered by the eyes on them, turned it into something tender.
When she finally released him, he slipped behind her in one smooth motion, his arms circling her waist. His large hands covered hers, both of them resting over the swell of her belly. The gesture was so instinctive, so protective, that for a beat I couldn’t look away.
“You two are ridiculously cute,” Kali teased, the grin tugging at her mouth betraying nothing but affection.
Natalia laughed, leaning her head back against Trevor’s chest. “Get used to it. He’s only going to get worse.”
“Poor Nat,” I teased. “Forced into daily declarations of weeks and days from Trevor…”
“Hey, someone’s got to keep count,” Her loving husband said, unruffled, his voice low but laced with amusement.
We lingered a little longer, the easy rhythm of old friendships weaving itself between us, until Natalia gave a small dramatic sigh. “Okay, I need food before I turn feral. Kali, come with me before I eat all the desserts and scare everyone.”
“Lead the way,mamacita,” Kali laughed, hooking her arm through Natalia’s as the two of them disappeared toward the buffet, sequins and silver glitter trailing through the crowd like twin comets.
That left Trevor and Zane standing shoulder to shoulder, their voices lowering as naturally as a tide shifting. Business. Always business with those two.
I turned back to Maria and Zach, only to find them making out. No wonder they hadn’t participated in the earlier conversation. I cleared my throat loudly, causing them to pull away with a laugh.
“So, where’s Matteo?”
Zach frowned. “Don’t think he’s coming.”
I couldn’t stop the flicker of surprise. “Oh.”
“Something about a deal in Miami that went overtime,” He explained with a shrug.
“No, yeah. Sure.” I tried to keep my tone neutral, but the words tasted flat.
