Page 135 of Celestial Combat

When we reached my black SUV parked on the curb, I ripped the passenger door open and almost threw her inside, before slamming it shut.

Chapter 35

Present

Brooklyn, New York City

THECAR RIDE HOME WAS soaked in silence. Not the calm kind. The sharp kind. The kind that felt like it could slice skin if you breathed too loudly.

Zane’s hands gripped the steering wheel like it had wronged him personally. His jaw locked, eyes forward, not sparing me even a side glance.Fine. I didn’t need one.

The second he pulled into the underground garage, I had the door open before the engine fully cut.

I didn’t wait for him.

My heels echoed on the concrete as I stalked toward the elevator, the overhead lights casting harsh shadows that flickered across the walls like ghosts trying to keep up with us. I jabbed the button harder than necessary and stepped inside without looking back.

I felt him enter a few seconds later. I didn’t turn around.

He stood behind me, close but not touching. The air between us was heavy – thick with everything we weren’t saying, but wanted to scream. I kept my arms crossed tight against mychest and stared at my own bloody reflection in the steel of the elevator.

The doors slid open into the soft-lit warmth of the loft, but I didn’t wait for him there either.

I walked out, stormed across the dark wood floors, and headed straight up the stairs to the bedroom, fury burning in my chest with every step. I didn’t hear him follow.

Didn’tcare if he did.

And he didn’t…

By the time I glanced down from the landing, the elevator doors were closing again.

He was gone.

Thewater ran hot over my hands as I rinsed off the last plate. The rest of the kitchen was dim and still, lit only by the warm pendant light above the island. I had already eaten and I hadn’t bothered setting a second plate.

I’d called Francesca already to check on Tony, glad to hear he was fine.

Zane hadn’t come back.Not that I was waiting.

He didn’t say it, but I knew he was with my brother – talking strategy, next steps,whatever.

The elevator doors finally hissed open behind me with that low mechanical sigh, followed by the distinct rhythm of his shoes on the hardwood. My shoulders tensed. I didn’t turn around.

He didn’t say anything at first. Just walked through the apartment – slow, deliberate steps.“We need to talk.”

I turned off the tap and let the last of the suds swirl down the drain. “We really don’t.”

“Kali.”

I dried my hands, grabbed the dish towel, and ignored him completely as I moved around the kitchen. I could feel him behind me like static – warm and charged.

“You could’ve gotten yourself killed.”

“I didn’t.”

“That’s not the point.”

“You don’t get to control what I do,” I snapped, turning now, tossing the towel onto the counter.

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