Perfect.
Ilias paddled back to the lineup, chest heaving, every muscle singing, adrenaline and satisfaction mingling. The water still roared around him, the horizon endless, and he felt untouchable. Every wave, every maneuver, every risk had led to this.
“I’m going to win,” Steven snapped. “I’ll remind you why I’ve been number one for the past two years.”
“Because I was on a break?” Ilias lifted an eyebrow.
Steven’s nostrils flared.
Ilias had priority now, and Steven knew it. He tried to push anyway, got penalized, and botched an aerial attempt, slamming face-first into the water.
Even the best failed. And this was not Steven’s day.
When the horn finally blared, Ilias let out a deep breath, adrenaline still high as he headed back to shore.
He'd done it. Again.
Sofia had been a damn good lucky charm. Maybe he would kidnap her and drag her to every tournament. She’d hate him, but little by little, he’d get through that armor. Okay, maybe that was too much.
On shore, his friends and team rushed him. Amira hugged him tightly, practically shaking with pride.
Another event win. One step closer to his third world title.
“Congrats,” Steven said in French, walking over and offering a handshake. “At least you’re still good at something. Honestly, after all that self-pity and depression, I thought you’d never come back.”
Ilias snarled, his knuckles flexing.
“I was glad you were gone. Meant I could fuck your sister wherever I wanted, without your judging eyes around. Not that she was even that good.”
Ilias’s vision blurred, jaw clenched, fists trembling. He knew Steven was baiting him. He knew he shouldn’t react.
“Might go for that brunette now. Alejandra’s friend. The marine chick you keep eye fucking. I bet her cunt would feel amazing on my big co—”
Ilias punched him square in the face. Steven dropped like a sack of bricks. Gasps echoed around him. And just like that, Ilias knew. He’d fucked up. Royally.
7
SOFIA
La Tirita - Belén Aguilera, Lola Indigo
Alejandra arrivedat Nereid Coffee Co., the beachside café overlooking Praia dos Pescadores, just as Sofia closed the laptop. She’d been updating a boring Excel sheet for Elvira filled with all the data from the clean-up. When she’d resigned from Neptune, she had naïvely believed she’d never have to open another spreadsheet again. Someone should’ve warned her that being a business owner involved heavy and frequent use of them.
“Buenos días, rayo de sol,” Alejandra chirped, leaning down to hug her and kiss her cheek. She had always been the more affectionate of the two, while Sofia considered personal space sacred. She was starting to wonder if the absence of boundaries was a surfer thing. Ilias certainly seemed to operate the same way.
“How’d you sleep?” Sofia asked, scooting her bag off the chair Alejandra had chosen as the salty breeze curled around them. Itwas mid-March; the air still held a chill, but the sun was warm against their faces.
“Cuddled up to my trophy,” Alejandra replied, her grin stretching wide.
No matter how many times she won, Alejandra never got tired of it. Olympic medal at home or not, she still lit up like a kid every time she nailed a comp.
“Must’ve been cozy.” Sofia teased, flagging down the waiter.
They both orderedmeia de leite,a creamy coffee similar to a latte, andpastéis de nata,golden, flaky custard tarts with a caramelized top that melted in the mouth. Warm, sweet, and slightly crispy, the tarts paired perfectly with the rich, comforting coffee, making it the kind of small indulgence that felt like a quiet celebration in every bite and sip. Sofia loved having breakfast out, it was her favorite time of the day. Wherever she was in the world, it was her guilty pleasure that reminded her of her parents who used to drag her to Italian and Spanish coffee shops while growing up. Crazy how she used to be annoyed by it, while now, in her adult life, she was seeking the same thing she used to hate.
“When are you leaving?” Sofia asked, studying her best friend. Alejandra’s long face was framed by black hair dancing in the breeze. Her skin was sunkissed, as always, and her sharp green eyes, which had just been focused on the waves, shifted back toward Sofia.
“Tonight. We’re heading down to Conil for a week, then to Bali to train before the next tournament. We’ll stay longer than usual. Mom loves Bali.”
