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The sun sank lower over the sprawling estate as we walked out the main door into the driveway. The fleet of sleek cars stood in perfect formation, ready to take us to the hangar. Around us, staff moved with quiet precision, loading luggage and ensuring every detail of our journey to Monaco was seamless.

I checked my watch, briefly noting the time, before returning my hand to Olive's. My outfit was practical- a white shirt, grey hoodie, black pants, and black puffer, ideal for the chill that clung to the air as snowflakes drifted lazily down.

Olive looked effortlessly stunning, as she always did. Black pants and a white crop top lay underneath a cozy grey jacket. A matching grey scarf was wrapped around her head and neck, keeping the winter cold at bay.



Her hand brushed against mine. She hadn't said much since we left the office. Something was bothering her but it was clear that she wasn't in a talking mood and I wasn't going to force her into a conversation.

The others joined us outside after a few short minutes, all dressed appropriately for the weather and the trip ahead.

Wyatt adjusted his scarf, his eyes sweeping over the group before he grinned. "Alright, there's something I've been thinking about for hours and I need answers."

"Please no," Jordan muttered.

"No, seriously," Wyatt continued, practically vibrating with excitement. "What souvenirs do we think I'll come home with after the gala?"

A collective sigh rippled through the group, but Griffin was the first to answer. "None."

"Come on," Wyatt whined, throwing his hands up. "I need a memento to remember our trip, don't I?"

"Don't your souvenirs usually involve missing limbs?" Miles deadpanned.

"Okay but I'm literally just a guy." Wyatt frowned, causing Alexis to stifle a laugh.

"A diagnosed sociopath." Jordan reminded him.

"Hey, I didn't tell anyone you murdered your father so why are you outing my secrets?" Wyatt huffed.

The group collectively froze, turning toward Jordan with varying degrees of shock and confusion. All except for Griffin and I-we'd already known-and Kat, whose hand moved gently up and down Jordan's arm, her eyes soft as she stood steady beside him.

Jordan sighed, his expression unreadable. He never talked about his past. Ever. But seeing Kat unaffected next to him, made it clear-she knew.

I caught myself smiling a little. In her, Jordan had found something rare: a safe place. Someone who didn't need him to explain, who just got it. The same thing I had found in Olive.

"Anyways," Wyatt interrupted loudly. "Like I was saying-"

"You can't just-" Alexis sputtered, her hands gesturing toward Jordan. "He can't just-"

"It's a story for another day," Jordan said quickly, shutting down any further questions.

"You heard the man," Wyatt was delighted to have the spotlight back. "Now, let's circle back to my totally harmless question about souvenirs. I could stick with the classics- eyeballs and tongues -or I could spice things up and go for the uvula. What do we think?"

"The uvula?" Preston repeated, his expression caught somewhere between disbelief and disgust.

"It's unique!" Wyatt argued, his grin widening. "You don't see people collecting uvulas every day. That's artsy."

"Did you just call the uvula artsy?" Alexis asked, trying-and failing-to keep a straight face.

"Yeah, have you seen how fancy glass eyes look in movies? Same energy."

"This can't be a real conversation we're having," Arlo muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Would you even know how to remove a uvula?" Diego asked, half-amused, half-mortified.

Wyatt shrugged, scratching his head. "I've got ideas."

"Invest in a therapist," Xamira offered.

"Tried," Wyatt replied with a dramatic sigh. "All three needed therapy afterward. Which, if you ask me, is so weird because isn't that supposed to be, like, their job? I didn't even talk about anything that bad."

"Pretty sure your therapists would say otherwise," Miles muttered, earning a soft laugh from Griffin.

"You're all just jealous of my creative genius," Wyatt declared, folding his arms like some kind of misunderstood artist.

"Cause that's what that is," Olive said flatly, though the faint twitch of her lips betrayed her amusement.

Wyatt wagged a finger at her. "I can't wait till you embrace your inner psycho, grumpy. We're going to have so much fun together."

"I doubt anyone can compare to you." Diego locked eyes with me. "Except maybe Xavier."

Wyatt smiled before turning to Olive. "All I'm saying is that if anyone even breathes disrespectfully to you, grumpy-" he turned to the rest of the group. "-or any of you guys for that matter, I'll take care of it."

"Taking care of it like a civilized adult though right though?" Alexis asked.

Wyatt winced, clutching his chest as if her words physically pained him. "You wound me."

Arlo crossed his arms. "If you so much as look at someone sideways tonight, I'll personally bury you in Monaco and leave you there."

"Wow. You're being dramatic," Wyatt replied, feigning hurt. "Can't a guy just dream about winning a fight and earning some trophies? It's called manifesting."

Jordan turned to him, deadpan as ever. "Manifest a shrink instead."

A burst of laughter erupted from the group, cutting through the chill in the air. Even Olive's lips twitched into a small smile as she glanced up at me.

Wyatt frowned and was quiet for a few seconds before his smile returned. "What about fingers? I could probably string a nice little necklace-"

"You're a walking violation," Preston said, shaking his head.

"And yet, you love me," Wyatt replied without missing a beat.

"Depends."

Wyatt grinned. "Admit it you're all obsessed with me."

The group collectively groaned and Olive's quiet laugh beside me caught my attention. I glanced down at her, my lips curving into a smile.

"You're loving this, aren't you?" I murmured, leaning close so only she could hear.

"It's entertaining," she admitted, tilting her head up to meet my gaze, her brown eyes glinting with amusement.

"You're adorable," I said, brushing my thumb over the back of her hand.

"You're biased," she whispered back, but the faint blush on her cheeks gave her away.

"Absolutely."

"Seems the gang's all here, hope you guys didn't miss me too much," A familiar voice interrupted as he walked up to us, his piercings catching the dimming sunlight as he moved.

"What are you doing here?" Preston asked.

Kai rolled his eyes, a teasing smile on his lips. "At least pretend you're happy to see me here, butler."

His head turned toward Olive and me before he added, "Via, Mr. Big Bad Mafia Don Asshole Heartbreaker."

"I like him already," Alexis smiled quietly.

"Preston asked an important question." Jordan analyzed Kai as he waited for an explanation.

Kai's grin didn't waver as he held up an envelope. The familiar crisp, ivory-white paper and gold-embossed star confirmed what was within.

"How did you get into the estate?" Kat asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Kai's smile deepened as he motioned toward Miles. Miles hesitated, clearly just as confused as the rest of us, before clearing his throat.

"I, uh, asked Griff to have the guards let him in," he admitted, scratching the back of his neck.

The group turned to look at Griffin. Griffin, as usual, said nothing. Instead, he cupped Miles' face with a rare tenderness he reserved only for him and leaned in to press a kiss to the side of his head. Miles froze under the touch, his eyes widening before one fluttered shut, flushing slightly at the cheeks-a subtle sign of his surprise.

Griffin ignored the stares from everyone around them, his focus solely on Miles, who looked like he might combust on the spot.

"Wanna introduce me, Moreno?" Kai winked at Miles.

Miles, still slightly flustered, nodded quickly. "Right. Everyone, this is Kai. My best friend since... well, since as long as I can remember." He waved a hand vaguely, struggling to find the words. "Kai, meet everyone."

A murmur of greetings rippled through the group, a soft shuffle of voices against the cold air. Some sounded curious, others cautious, as everyone tried to make sense of the sudden arrival.

"You're yet to explain how you got an invite, Kai," Arlo reminded him, his brow raised in challenge as he crossed his arms.

Kai smirked again, his hands casually slipping into his jacket pockets. "Well, you see," he began in that same teasing tone, "there's this thing called mail, right? It's when-"

"Kai," Miles called. "Quit messing around."

"Relax," His eyes moved toward the fountain at the edge of the driveway. "Now don't get me wrong I would love to go on and on about how amazing I am but I'm more curious about the creepy figure that has been staring over here."

The group fell into silence as we turned our attention toward where Kai was looking. At first, it was hard to make anything out-the dim glow of the sunset, the shadows of the trees, and the rippling glint of water from the fountain obscured most details.

But then, a shape moved.

A figure emerged from the shadows just enough to be visible. She stood there, her gaze piercing as it swept over the group, her expression unreadable.

She hadn't said much-if anything-since she'd been dropped back into our lives. I had offered her a place to stay at the estate, but that had been the extent of our conversations.

It had almost been a year now, and she was hardly ever outside; when she was, she lingered on the periphery, watching but never engaging. It wasn't hard to tell why.

"Nori," Xamira said, her voice breaking the heavy silence.

Her attention that had been focused on Olive and I, moved to Xamira. Her lips curved into the smallest smile. "Xamira."

She barely glanced in my direction before her eyes landed on Olive. "Didn't think I'd see you again."

"That makes two of us," Olive answered innocently. "How have you been?"

Despite everything, I could tell Olive still cared for Nori. She always cared, without hesitation or reservation. That boundless affection made my chest tighten. She was the cutest fucking thing.

Much to everyone's surprise, Nori enveloped Olive in a hug, a smile plastered on her face as Olive hugged her back.

"I've been better." Nori said as she pulled away, looking around the busy driveway. "Let me guess, the Gala des Étoiles?"

Olive nodded in response. Nori looked at all of us before turning and began walking back toward her house.

"That's it?" Olive asked softly, her gaze following Nori's retreating form. "She's not going to say anything else?"

"I mean, if I found out my fiancé never loved me and is head over heels in love with his current girlfriend, who I trauma bonded with while we were both kidnapped and being held hostage, I wouldn't say much either." Kai shrugged.

Nori paused mid-step, her back still to us, before glancing over her shoulder. Her gaze lingered on me for a moment, before sliding back to Olive, a soft smile on her face. "Enjoy your night."

With that, she turned away again, heading further and further away from us. My focus remained on Olive, who stood quietly at my side, her brows furrowed in thought.

Before I could say anything, the workers bustled into view, announcing they were done. The cars were ready, and we were about to head to the hangar when a familiar voice stopped us.

"Someone wanted to say bye," My mom laughed as Mel ran up to Olive,.

Mel hugged Olive's knees, practically swallowed whole by the jacket she was wearing."Gonna miss you princess," She moved to me, hugging my knees as well. "Gonna miss you Xava."

She continued around the group, giving everyone her little goodbyes. By the time she reached Griffin and Miles, the tears she'd been holding back finally spilled over.

"Papa. Daddy," she whispered, her voice breaking as she ran straight into Miles' open arms.

"Bambi," Miles cooed, his fingers gently brushing through her curls.

"Now, what's with all these tears, Melly?" Griffin asked, crouching to her level. His voice was calm and soothing as he reached out to wipe her cheeks.

"Gonna miss you," she sniffled, placing her small glove covered hands on either side of their faces.

"I'm going to die from how cute this is," Alexis squealed.

"It's just so sweet," Kat added, her voice shaky as tears welled in her eyes. Jordan chuckled softly, pulling her into his side and kissing the top of her head.

I glanced at Xamira, expecting her to be mid-sob, but instead, Diego stood in front of her, showering her with compliments about how perfectly she'd braided Mel's hair, an attempt to distract her.

Olive leaned into me, her head resting on my chest as she watched the scene unfold. "They make such a cute family," she smiled softly..

I dipped my head, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple. "We'll make a cute family."

She turned to face me, her beautiful brown eyes locking onto mine. "What if I'm a terrible mom?" she asked quietly. "What if our kids end up hating me?"

I cupped her face, my thumb brushing over her cheek. "Baby, you're going to be an amazing mom. Our kids are going to adore you."

Her face flushed slightly, but before she could respond, Griffin's deep voice cut through the moment.

"There's something we need to talk to you about," he said gently as he knelt down in front of Mel.

Mel tilted her head, her curious eyes darting between him and Miles. Griffin glanced at Miles, a silent conversation passing between them.

Miles shook his head and they exchanged a few words before Griffin nodded, agreeing with whatever it was Miles had said.

"How about we talk when we get back?" Miles smiled at her. "We can get ice-cream, and-"

Mel interrupted Miles with an excited squeal, her eyes lighting up at the mention of ice cream.

"Yes! I want chocolate and strawberry, and nilla and maybe some sprinkles too!" she chirped, her little hands clapping in excitement.

"We'll get you whatever you want, baby." Griffin promised, chuckling as she skipped back to my mom who was waiting at the door.

With a final wave from Mel and my mom, they headed inside, disappearing into the house while the rest of us piled into the cars. The procession was tight: two cars full of guards led the way, flanking the three cars that held us and another with guards behind us.

The jet was waiting on the tarmac, its silhouette gleaming under the floodlights as we boarded. The lounge was similar to that of the other jets we owned-plush leather seats, dimmed ambient lighting, rooms, bathroom, bar, gourmet kitchen and the likes.

Everyone picked their seats after putting away their carry ons while the crew prepared us for takeoff, offering us some refreshments in the process.

The jet's engine roared to life as we took off but soon softened once we leveled out in the sky. I leaned back in my seat, my arm draped protectively around Olive as she stared out the window, her fingers absentmindedly tracing abstract patterns on my hand in her lap.

Wyatt swirled his glass lazily as he broke the silence. "So, are we going to talk about the chaos earlier, or are we pretending none of it happened? Either way , I don't mind. This feels very Real Housewives, and I, for one, love it."

Arlo shot him a look. "You mean the part where you severed a man's arm from his body?"

Wyatt smirked, unapologetic. "I call that a public service. But I was actually referring to all the bombshells that got dropped afterwards. Like Kat being pregnant. That one was fun."

"You're annoying, you know that?" She said, her smile revealing her amusement. "Jordan and I found out a while back and were waiting for the right time to tell you guys," She said, softly rubbing her stomach.

Jordan pressed a loving kiss to her cheek as a series of congratulations flooded the cabin.

"How far along are you?" Alexis asked.

"About three weeks." Kat responded. "This is all very exciting but terrifying at the same time."

"That's why you've got us, though right?" Miles smiled.

"Lord knows I wouldn't have been able to survive with the twins without everyone's help." Xamira chuckled.

"We've got you. Whatever you need, babe." Olive assured her.

Wyatt leaned back into the couch. "Pres, you're up."

Preston sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Yes, Nathan and I are dating. Yes, it's serious. And no, Wyatt, you don't get to ask questions."

The congratulations poured in once again, and the tension that had been hanging over us was beginning to melt away. Even Olive had begun to relax slightly, though she was still quieter than usual.

I squeezed her hand, trying to pull her attention back to me. "What's on your mind, amore?"

She finally turned to meet my gaze. "Oh, it's nothing important."

I rested my forehead against hers. "Tell me what's going on in your pretty head, baby." I interlocked our hands, brushing my thumb across her fingers. "Let me in."

I pulled away, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "Whenever you're ready, okay?"

Her gaze softened as she spoke. "Okay."

I tuned back into the conversation the others were having.

"While we're on this topic, Griffin and I want to adopt Mel." Miles said while Griffin curled against him, half-asleep.

Griffin, curled up against Miles, stirred slightly, blinking up at him with a sleepy smile. "We're gonna be parents."

The words hung in the air for a moment before the cabin erupted into congratulations, a collective cheer filling the space.

But Wyatt, ever the one to steer things back to the uncomfortable truth, leaned forward in his seat, his gaze locking with Olive's. "Well, that's all great, but there's one thing we still need to address."

The tone shifted instantly, the laughter dying away as Wyatt continued. "The fact that the reaper's been texting Olive."

A heavy silence blanketed the room, and Olive's posture stiffened as all eyes turned toward her.

Preston broke the quiet, his voice measured but urgent. "Here's the rundown. The reaper's been texting her since the night she left. Sometimes it's random, sometimes it's cryptic messages. No clear pattern, no timeframe. Different numbers every time."

Olive shifted uncomfortably in her seat. I traced patterns along her fingers in a quiet attempt to comfort her. It was obvious why she hadn't said anything until now, but I also knew that Preston-being Preston-had probably seen the texts himself and decided he had to step in.

Preston confirmed my suspicions with his following statement. "Before anyone wonders why she told me of all people, she didn't. I saw the text, and had to intervene."

"We all know how Via is, she doesn't want to be seen as a burden," Kai smiled at her softly. "But you shouldn't have to carry this all on your own."

"It's why we're a family, right?" Diego spoke up.

Olive's jaw clenched, but she didn't pull her hand away from mine. She was too used to keeping everything inside and wasn't used to asking for help. But she didn't need to say a word for us to know how much this situation was bothering her.

"I... I didn't know what to make of it," she admitted quietly, her voice low. "The messages are just... unsettling. Some of them don't even make sense, and others are just eerie."

A knowing frown settled on Alexis' face. "You've already tried tracing the numbers?"

Olive nodded her head. "I've tried. I don't find anything each time." She hesitated before adding. "Each time I get a text, something bad usually follows it."

The atmosphere in the cabin thickened with tension as Griffin, now fully awake, sat up straighter. "When was the last time you got one?"

Olive pulled out her phone and handed it to Griffin, showing him the most recent text.

Unknown: Time; what a fleeting thing.

Griffin read the message, his brow furrowing. "So far, nothing's happened after this one?"

Olive shook her head. "Not yet... but I'm still worried."

"After the gala, I could help you try to trace the numbers again." Kat offered. "A different perspective might help."

Wyatt, who had been quietly observing, suddenly leaned forward. His usual playful demeanor vanished, replaced with a somber focus that none of us were used to seeing. He rested his arms on his knees, his eyes scanning each of us.

"As much of a problem as this is," he began, "our main focus right now should be the gala. Olive is safe as long as she's with any one of us. The gala... that's a different story. It's uncharted territory-where all the powerful people from different parts of the world will be under one roof. Everyone's a potential target."

Arlo nodded in agreement. "We're practically an open target. And despite the security at the gala, we can't entirely rule out the possibility of there being an attack. We need to be ready for anything."

"Which is why we shouldn't be going in blind," Jordan added, glancing at each of us. "We need to stay alert, stay close, and keep an eye on everyone. The last thing we need is to get distracted by the drama when something bigger is brewing."

There was no argument. We all understood. Olive, her hand still gripping mine, nodded in agreement.

"Alright," I spoke up, breaking the tense silence. "We'll deal with the gala, but Olive's safety comes first. And no one goes anywhere alone."

I squeezed Olive's hand tighter, my mind racing as I tried to think of a game plan.

"Griffin, Jordan," I turned to them. "I need a list of everyone attending the gala. Full background checks, their families, connections-everything. The more we know, the better."

"Security is tight at the gala, with three checkpoints for searches," I continued. "Xam, Arlo, I need you to make sure our weapons are undetected. No guarantees we'll need them, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. The weaponry at the villa is available to you."

"Preston, Alexis. Communication. Same thing as the weapons, they should be undetected at the checkpoints."

I glanced over at Kat, who had been silent so far, her hands absentmindedly resting over her stomach. "Kat-"

"Don't start," she interrupted. "I'm helping Preston and Alexis."

"But-"

She shook her head firmly. "It's still too early for you to stop including me."

I turned to Jordan, hoping he would be able to talk some sense into her. But the second his gaze met Kat's, he sighed. Kat had already won.

"You're not leaving my line of sight, not even for a second," he told her and she nodded, a soft smile on her lips.

I continued. "The rest of you are on crowd control. Blend in, gather intel, and keep a lookout for anyone suspicious."

The group collectively nodded, taking in their assignments.

"If worst comes to worst," I said, my voice lowering, "Kat, Xamira, Diego, and Olive are the first to leave."

"I'm staying," Olive said.

"Olive-" Miles began, concern etched across his face.

"It wasn't a suggestion," she cut him off. "If anything happens, I'm helping."

I recognized the fire in her eyes. She wasn't backing down.

Kai scoffed lightly, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "We're forgetting that Via is a star. Undefeated at the club. People bet against her as a novelty at this point-"

"Club? Betting? Just who exactly are you?" Arlo questioned.

Kai's smile grew. "Let's not get off track here, yeah? If I remember correctly, we were talking about Via."

Wyatt leaned back on the couch, tilting his head as he looked at Olive. "Imagine her losing her shit and cracking someone's skull open. I'm so here for that."

"Wyatt," I said, "as her bodyguard-"

"-I think grumpy can handle herself just fine," he interrupted. "But if it bugs you that much, bossman, I can keep an eye on her. No one will so much as breathe in her direction. Promise."

A murderous glint flashed in his eyes briefly before he sighed, stretching out fully on the couch.

"Now, if we're done with that conversation," Wyatt drawled, "I'd like to get some shuteye before we land in Monaco. Don't want to look like a zombie in front of millions of cameras, now do I?"

The rest of the group laughed and began moving around the jet, each claiming their spot for the rest of the flight. Kat, Jordan, Alexis, Arlo, Griffin, and Miles disappeared into private bedrooms, leaving the rest of us to settle in the lounge.

Olive was already leaning into me, her head resting on my shoulder.She'd kicked off her shoes, tucking her legs beneath her as she made herself comfortable. I shifted slightly, letting her snuggle further into me as I wrapped my arm around her.

"Better?" I asked softly, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.

"Mm-hmm," she hummed, her eyes fluttering closed though she wasn't quite asleep.

"You feeling okay?" My eyes scanned over her features.

She hesitated before nodding. "Yeah, just... tired."

I frowned slightly, but she shook her head with a small, reassuring smile. "I'm fine," she said gently. "You worry too much."

I studied her for a moment, then pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "It's my job to worry about you, baby. Try to get some rest, okay?"

Her fingers found the hem of my shirt, playing with it absentmindedly as my hand trailed through her hair. Slowly, her eyes began to flutter, bringing a small smile to my lips as I pressed a kiss to the side of her hair.

Later in the flight, I carefully carried Olive into one of the private bedrooms. She stirred slightly as I laid her on the bed but didn't wake, curling against me instinctively when I slid in beside her. Her hand rested lightly on my chest as I resumed running my fingers through her hair.

Quiet moments like this reminded me why I'd do anything for her.

Her soft yawn broke the silence, her lashes fluttering as her eyes slowly opened. Before I could say anything, she shifted, straddling me without even fully waking, her hair falling around her face.

I chuckled, brushing a strand of hair away from her cheek as she fought to keep her eyes open. "Does my sleepy girl need something?"

Her expression was softer than I'd seen it all day, her lips curling into the faintest smile. "Thank you for being you."

I cupped her face, brushing my thumb over her cheek as I leaned in to kiss her. "Thank you for loving me."

Her head tilted into my touch, her eyes blinking slower now.

"Do you think you're awake enough to change into your pajamas, or do you need me to help you, baby?" I murmured, my voice low as my thumb brushed against her cheek again.

"I can do it," she whispered, though her words were followed by a soft yawn. She rubbed her eyes and shifted off me, shuffling toward her bag before I reached over to stop her.

"I've got them right here, baby," I said, pulling out the sheer set she loved.

I handed it to her with a smile, and turned back to give her space when she pointed toward the corner of the room.

"Nuh-uh," she mumbled, her pouty lips making her demand impossible not to find endearing. "No peeking."

"Baby," I said softly, glancing at her over my shoulder. "I was already facing the corner."

Her brows furrowed as she looked at me, then at the wall, a small "Oh" escaping her lips when she realized I was telling the truth. The faintest hint of a pout remained as she shrugged and turned her attention to getting changed.

I kept my gaze fixed ahead, my lips curving into a quiet smile as I listened to her shuffle around and her occasional yawns. When she was done, the bed dipped slightly as she climbed back in, curling into me without hesitation.

Her arms wrapped around my waist, and she wiggled her way under my shirt, her head just peeking out of the collar. "Cold," she mumbled, her voice muffled against my chest. "You're warm."

I chuckled softly, pulling the blanket higher over us so she was completely covered. "Go back to sleep, baby. I've got you," I whispered, pressing a lingering kiss to her temple as she relaxed fully against me.

Her quiet yawn brushed against my skin as she buried her face in my neck. She let out a soft hum, and just like that, she slipped back into sleep.

I hadn't realized how much I'd needed this moment until I felt myself drifting, her steady breathing pulling me into a deep sleep of my own.

That was until I woke to the sound of singing. "Happy birthday to you..."

My eyes blinked open to find the group crowded into the room. Xamira was perched beside me, holding a small cake with candles flickering on it. Her grin matched the laughter in the air, and despite my groggy state, I couldn't help the smile spreading across my face.

Olive was already sitting up beside me, her sleepy smile glowing as she joined in the singing. I groaned, running a hand through my hair as I sat up straighter.

"Happy birthday, Xav and Xamira!" they chorused at the end of the song.

Xamira rolled her eyes, but the pleased smile she tried to hide gave her away. She turned to me with a mock sigh, and I smirked, raising an eyebrow at her as we leaned forward to blow out the candles together, earning an applause from our friends.

As everyone laughed and joked around us, Olive leaned close, her breath warm against my ear. "Twenty-three," she whispered with a soft smile. "How does it feel?

I turned to her, the noise of the room fading into the background for just a moment. The way she looked at me, with that gentle smile and her hand resting lightly on mine, made my chest swell with something I couldn't put into words.

Love was too small a word to express what I felt for her.

"Feels pretty damn good," I murmured, lifting her hand to my lips and placing a kiss on her knuckles."

The delicious cake, courtesy of Griffin and Miles, had everyone reaching for seconds, and the cabin buzzed with laughter and conversation. Olive sat close by my side, her soft laughter filling the air as Arlo told some ridiculous story about a failed yacht party he once attended.

The laughter and banter began to fade as everyone started heading back to their spaces. Miles and Griffin were the first to leave, Miles guiding a barely-awake Griffin out the door, mumbling something incoherent as his head lolled against Miles' shoulder. Arlo and Alexis followed close behind, hand-in-hand, mentioning they were heading to check out the mini theater.

Wyatt, Preston, and Kai headed back to the lounge, Wyatt and Kai muttering between themselves as they walked. Kai ruffled Olive's hair on his way out, earning a playful swat from her. Kai and Wyatt exchanged whispers that I couldn't quite make out, Preston sighing as he led the giggling pair out of the room.

Xamira stretched dramatically as she stood from the bed before turning to us with a smirk. "The walls aren't soundproof," she teased, her eyes flicking between me and Olive.

I sighed, shaking my head, but Olive stifled a laugh beside me. Diego wrapped his arm around her shoulders, amused. "Come on, baby, let's give them some privacy."

Xamira's smirk widened as she leaned toward Olive, her voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "In case you get bored with him, D and I are down the hall. We'd be more than happy to take real good care of-"

"Goodnight, Xamira," I interrupted.

Xamira wasn't joking-she was more than serious about her interest in Olive, and I knew Diego would do anything to make her happy. But Olive was mine, and I wasn't about to let anyone forget that.

She laughed, thoroughly enjoying herself as Diego steered her toward the door. Olive chuckled as the two finally exited, leaving us alone at last.

As the door to her bedroom clicked shut behind them, I turned the lock, making sure we wouldn't be interrupted again. Returning to the bed, I slid into my spot beside Olive, wrapping my arms around her as she leaned back against me, her head resting perfectly on my chest.

"That was fun," she murmured, her fingers lazily tracing shapes on my arm.

"Define fun," I teased, letting my hand trail gently up and down her back.

Her soft giggle sent a wave of warmth through me, making my heart race in a way only she could. "You loved it, though. Don't think I didn't notice-you were smiling so hard the entire time."

I couldn't stop myself from pressing a kiss to the crown of her head. "I have a feeling you might've had something to do with my little birthday surprise,"

She tilted her head up, her eyes sparkling as they met mine. "What makes you think that?"

I laughed, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "Because I know you, baby. You had the cutest frown when you heard Xam and I wouldn't be able to celebrate."

Her cheeks flushed, and the way her nose scrunched up as she tried to hide her embarrassment was utterly adorable. Without thinking, I shifted her so she was straddling my lap, her face inches from mine.

"I loved it, baby," I murmured, my hands resting on her hips as I took her in fully.

Her hair was messy from the night, falling loosely around her face. Her pouty lips, slightly parted as if in anticipation, were temptation itself. And her eyes- God, those eyes-held everything I never knew I needed.

"Every single part of it. You have no idea how much that meant to Xam and I."

Her blush deepened, and she dipped her head shyly. "It wasn't a big deal," she mumbled.

"Not a big deal?" I repeated, tilting her chin up so she couldn't hide from me. "Baby, you worked so hard on this, gave me a memory I'll never forget. That's not just a big deal- that's everything. You're my everything."

She blinked, her gaze softening as emotion flickered across her face. Her fingers moved to the back of my neck, pulling me closer. "You deserve it, you know," she whispered, her lips brushing mine as she spoke. "All of it because you mean everything to me too."

Hearing those words made my heart ache in the best way. I kissed her again, slow and deep. And when I pulled back, I rested my forehead against hers, our breaths mingling.

"You're the best birthday present I could ask for." I whispered, brushing my nose against hers.

A playful smile tugged at her lips, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Yeah? You ready to unwrap your present, Xavier?"

My lips curled into a smirk as I trailed my fingers slowly down her back, reveling in the way she shivered at my touch.

"Unwrap?" I murmured, tilting my head as I let my hands rest on her waist. "I don't know..."

I grinned. Her hands trailed up my chest, nails raking lightly over my skin, in an attempt to hide her surprise. She pressed herself impossibly closer to me and I could feel her already hardened nipples through the sheer material of her pajamas.

She tilted her head, a fake pout on her face. "You don't want your present?"

"Oh, I do," I murmured, brushing my lips over her jaw.

"Then why don't you be a good boy and- Oh," Olive shivered, holding me tighter when my hips bucked up, no doubt feeling how hard I was through my pants. "Xav..."

I could see the desperation in her eyes, her breath quickening as she fought to hold onto the last semblance of control, teetering on the brink of surrender.

Poor thing. I was going to break down every bit of resistance until all that was left was a needy, trembling mess.

I hummed against her skin, my lips grazing her neck, teasing with a soft nip that made her breath hitch in the most delicious way. "Something wrong, baby?"

Her nails dug into my shoulders as I moved my hips again. I grinded against her throat.

"You're-" She let out a soft, breathless whimper as I bit down gently, my hands sliding down her sides. "You're teasing."

"I am? Oh no." I replied with mock sympathy. "You were awfully confident a few seconds ago. What happened, baby?

My fingers slipped beneath the hem of her shirt, brushing against her soft skin and her breath hitched in her throat, followed by a breathless moan.

I rocked my hips against her a third time, drawing the softest strangled sound from her throat. "Xav," She whispered, her cheeks flushed with arousal.

"Yes amore?"

Her eyes fluttered when my left hand reached her breasts, a finger brushed against her nipples. "Stop teasing."

"Hmm." I pretended to consider it, my thumb brushing against her lower lip. "Why should I?"

Her lips curved into a pout. "Huh?"

"Why should I stop teasing, baby?"

I pushed my right thumb into her mouth, the left still occupied with her sensitive nipple, pinching and teasing it.

Her lips instinctively wrapped around it, licking and sucking on it as I played with her tits. The feeling of her warm tongue against my finger made my dick harden even more.

"You think you're smart, huh baby? Sucking my finger like a dick? You want my dick in your mouth, that bad, pretty girl?"

A soft moan escaped her lips as she sucked even harder. Despite the pants I was wearing, I could feel how fucking soaked she was as she tried to grind herself against me, desperate for any sort of relief.

Realization set in as she moved her hips even faster. "You need more, pretty girl? Is that it?" The speed at which she nodded brought a smile to my face.

"Yeah, I'm right huh baby? This just isn't enough, is it? You need something bigger against that pretty cunt, huh?"

Feeding her praise kink was one thing. But feeding her praise and degradation kink? It turned her into a mess.

The prettiest fucking mess.

"Uh-huh," she mumbled around my thumb.

"Prove it to me," I murmured, slipping two more fingers past her lips, pressing deeper until her throat fluttered around them. She gagged, a choked whimper slipping free when I tugged on her nipple.

"Dimmi quanto ne hai bisogno, tesoro." (Tell me how bad you need this, baby)

I pulled my fingers from her mouth, her lips slick and trembling as she gasped for air. But even through the desperate breaths, she looked up at me- eyes glossy, lips parted, fucking pleading.

A needy little sound slipped past her lips when I turned away from her attempt at a kiss, chuckling as I shook my head.

Patience, pretty girl.

I leaned back slightly, taking my time-taking her in. The flushed cheeks, the dazed, half-lidded stare, the way her chest rose and fell a little too fast now, the slutty pajama set that left nothing to the imagination.

A masterpiece wrecked by desire.

My fingers traced her jaw, tilting her chin up so her eyes met mine. "Come on, pretty girl. Usa le parole." (Use your words)

"I- I need this," her voice was barely a whisper, eyes fixed anywhere but on me.

I smiled, heart racing at the vulnerability in her voice, the way she fought to give in. I gripped her jaw tighter, forcing her gaze back to mine.

"You can do better than that, can't you, baby?"

Leaning down, I replaced my fingers with my teeth, teasing and biting her nipple while moving my hips forward, just enough to make her feel how hard I was. The shaky whimper that escaped her lips was everything I needed.

Her final restraints shattered, leaving nothing but raw, aching need.

"Please, Xav." Her voice cracked on my name, -like even speaking was too much, like she could barely get the words out through the desperation choking her. "I-"

She gasped, hips rolling against me. Body trembling, fingers clawing at my skin like I was the only thing keeping her from falling apart completely.

"Please." Tears pooled in the corner of her eyes, lips brushing against my jaw as she tried to close what little space was left between us. "I need you-I need you so bad, Xav- please, please, please-" The words tumbled out, breathless, frantic.

Her hands fisted in my shirt, knuckles white, nails biting into my skin. She continued to rock against me, as though the friction alone might be enough to save her.

I brought my lips to her ear, letting my tongue trace its curve slowly. "There you go, baby," I whispered. She shivered, her breath catching, and I couldn't help but smile as I kissed my way lower.

"You did such a good job begging, pretty girl. You need it so badly, don't you?"

She nodded, a soft whimper escaping her as my lips ghosted over her jaw.

"Yeah, you do? You need it, baby? Yeah?" I mocked, my voice dipping into that teasing, almost whiny tone, the one that made her ache for more. "Awe my sweet girl, you can't think straight anymore, can you?"

Another sweet sound escaped her lips as I sucked on the sensitive spot on her neck, my thumb brushing the soft skin under her chin.

I grinned as I shook my head with her. "No, you can't. You're too far gone. Too needy to think for yourself. You need me to think for you, don't you, love?"

"Xav, please," she gasped, a tear slipping down her cheek. I caught it with my tongue, savoring the salty sweetness before pressing a soft kiss just below her eye.

"Okay, baby. Lift your hips up," I murmured. "Let's take care of that needy pussy, yeah?"

She obeyed, lifting herself just enough for me to slide the soaked pajama shorts off her. My gaze devoured her body, every inch of her bare from her ribs down, her shirt still clinging to her.

"Look at you," I whispered. "So fucking soaked. You've made such a mess in these pretty shorts, haven't you? Clean it up for me."

Normally, she'd be embarrassed by the request, but tonight, she was too far gone to care. She grabbed the shorts, bringing them to her lips as she began to lick them clean, the sight of her surrender making my dick harden.

"Fuck, baby," I groaned, watching her intently. "Good fucking job."

She showed me her progress before tossing them somewhere behind us. Her fingers brushed against my waistband, tugging at my pants.

"Hm?" I teased, leaning down to whisper in her ear, my lips brushing against her earlobe. "You want these off, baby?"

She nodded, her eyes pleading.

"Okay then," I said with a grin, lifting my hips just enough to slide my pants down. They joined her shorts in a messy heap on the floor, leaving us both bare below.

My dick pressed against her drenched pussy, hard and pulsing, precum leaking from the tip, the need for her almost unbearable.

Our lips crashed together in a messy, desperate kiss as I grabbed her hips, pulling her down onto my dick. I sighed, the satisfaction building, only for it to escape in a throaty moan.

"Fuck," I groaned against her lips. The way she felt- wet wasn't even close to describing it. She was fucking drenched, slick against me.

"Awe," I teased, locking eyes with her, watching the way she trembled. "Your little pussy's dripping, baby. What a perfect girl you are for me."

Her half-lidded eyes were hazy with need, lips swollen and pouty, her cheeks flushed a pretty shade of pink. Embarrassment? Arousal? Didn't matter-either way, it was delicious.

"You like when I praise you, huh baby?" My voice was knowing, teasing.

It wasn't a question, not really, but the way she squirmed told me everything I needed to know. "You want me to keep telling you how good you're doing? How good you make me feel?"

I lifted my hips, dragging my dick along her slick slit, slow and deliberate. She gasped, shuddering, instinctively pressing down harder, chasing the friction.

"If you wanna hear how much of a good girl you're being for me, you gotta earn it."

And just like that, she melted. Like putty in my hands. Rocking against me, letting me turn her pretty little brain to mush. Poor baby, it was almost too easy.

"Not a single thought behind those pretty eyes, huh, baby?"

I gripped her hips tighter, guiding her movements, dragging her back and forth along my dick. She was so fucking wet- it was intoxicating.

Her hands were behind her, propping herself up, and the angle worked in her favor. She ground against me, slow and sweet, her lashes fluttering, head tilting back.

And the sounds that left her lips- fuck, the sounds. Those soft, breathy moans, the delicate whimpers slipping past her lips like a melody, something sinful and sweet all at once.

She looked like a fucking masterpiece, a work of art in motion, body moving, voice painting the air with every little gasp. And all of it- every sound, every shiver- was mine.

Watching Olive like this had my dick throbbing. The way she ground against me, the pretty expressions twisting her face from sheer pleasure, had my control hanging by a thread.

"What a good girl. Keep going just like that, baby. Your pussy feels so fucking good." My voice was laced with need, my grip tightening on her hips. "Do you feel good? Tell me how much you're enjoying yourself."

Selfishly, I wanted to hear her say it, that pretty mouth forming the filthiest words just for me.

She let out a long, shaky moan, moving faster, the blush deepening on her cheeks. "I-" she tried but the embarrassment choked her words.

I smirked. "Usa le parole per me, tesoro." (Use your words for me, baby.)

Like a trigger pulled, I felt more wetness spill onto me, drenching my dick in her arousal. She clung to my knees for balance as she rode me, her body stuttering through every new wave of pleasure.

"Xav," she moaned, voice breaking, and fuck- my cock twitched at the way she said my name, like it belonged on her tongue.

"I know, baby. I know," I rasped. Precum leaked from my tip, mixing with her juices, the sheer filth of it making my head spin.

She made desperation look stunning- a moaning mess, spilling her arousal onto me like I was nothing but a cock for her to grind on. No other thought in her pretty little head except getting herself off.

I was entranced. Every movement, every breath had me teetering on the edge, her touch the kind of high that ruined men.

Her hips moved faster, more desperate, more frantic, chasing her high as her body trembled. I knew she was close-she wouldn't last much longer.

"Are you gonna cum, Olive? Is that what you want? You wanna cum for me?"

"Yes,!" she whispered, her voice cracking, whimpers escaping her lips.

Her stomach tensed, her legs beginning to tremble in the delicious way they did when she was about to cum. She worked herself toward the edge, her body knowing exactly what it needed.

My cock throbbed. My release curled in my stomach, rising fast. "You're gonna make me cum, baby," I warned, my voice strained.

"You feel so good," I groaned. "You're such a good girl for me."

Between us, the mess was obscene- our bodies slick, soaked, and glistening with the evidence of just how good we felt. And fuck, the sloppier, the better.

Her eyes found mine, tears streaming down her face from the pleasure, breath shaky. She didn't even realize how stunning she looked-wrecked, desperate, and still moving like she wanted more. Like she needed more.

"That's right. Eyes on me, baby. You're so close, aren't you?" My voice was low. "I need you to be a good girl and cum for me, baby. Think you can do that?"

Her lips parted, but no words came-just a breathless nod as she chased that high, her body moving faster, more desperate, trembling with need. And then-

Her head tilted back, silent tears slipping down her cheeks, her chest heaving as she shattered. My hips jerked up to meet her as she ground down on me.

Fuck.

"You're making me feel so good, baby. I'm right there-" A grunt slipped past my lips, turning into something close to a whimper as I spilled hot across my stomach.

She stilled, trembling, thighs slick, body still pulsing from the aftershocks.

What a pretty mess.

I traced lazy circles along her spine, grounding her, keeping her right where I wanted her. She was sticky, spent, completely wrecked-and looked breathtaking.

"You're so fucking pretty when you cum, baby." I murmured, pressing a soft kiss to the side of her head before tilting her face toward mine, kissing away the tears.

Her voice was soft, drowsy. "You did so good, Xav."

I fought back a smirk. "Your confidence is back, huh? What happened to my pretty, needy mess who begged me to make her feel good?"

She rolled her eyes, but the small, satisfied smile on her lips betrayed her. Her fingers tangled in my hair, tugging just enough to make me groan. "You're insufferable."

I grinned. "And yet, you're holding onto me like I'm the only thing keeping you sane."

She didn't answer- just kissed me, slow and deep, pressing herself closer like she never wanted to leave. And fuck, I'd keep her right here forever.

When we finally pulled away, our foreheads pressed together, breaths mingling, bodies still humming with the aftermath.

"Happy birthday, Xav," she whispered, her voice teasing.

I brushed a kiss to the tip of her nose. "Thank you, baby."

Olive shifted against me, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on my chest, her body still trembling with the aftershocks. I pressed a kiss to the top of her head, my hand smoothing over her damp back. "Come on, my pretty girl," I murmured. "Let's get you cleaned up."

She hummed in response, nuzzling closer like she had no intention of moving.

I chuckled, wrapping my arms around her. "You wanna stay like this forever?"

"Mhm," she whispered, pressing a soft kiss to my skin.

I could've stayed there, too, but she needed care. We both did. So, with as much patience as I could manage, I pulled away, earning a tiny whine from her before I scooped her up effortlessly.

She wrapped her hands around my neck, burying her face into my neck while wrapping her legs around my waist. I kissed the side of her head, running my hand up and down her back as I moved us from the bed and into the ensuite bathroom.

"I love you," She whispered over and over again, her voice progressively got softer each time she said it. I turned the water on, making sure it was just the right temperature for her.

"Awe is my pretty girl, sleepy?" I asked, nuzzling into the side of her face.

"Uh huh," She mumbled, unable to keep her eyes open.

"I know, baby. I know. Let's take a bath and then we can take a nap, yeah?"

She mumbled something incoherent in response and I chuckled as a response. My hands were gentle as I undressed her, fingers brushing against her skin.

"Let me take care of my baby," I murmured, lifting her into the tub. The warm water surrounded her like a comforting embrace, her body sinking into it as she relaxed with a soft sigh. I joined in behind her, her body instantly relaxing against mine.

She looked at me with those tired eyes, filled with appreciation. Her fingers slid through the water, skimming my chest as she leaned into me.

I kissed her forehead, pressing her back against my chest, letting the water soak into our skin. I reached for a washcloth, lathering it up before running it gently along her skin, wiping away every trace of the night. Every moment. Every mess.

She let me take my time, let me care for her. And when I was done, she did the same for me, her touch just as tender, just as slow.

After we were clean, I dried her off with slow, careful hands, not missing a single spot. "You're perfect," I murmured, and I meant it.

She barely had the energy to roll her eyes. "You're ridiculous."

By the time we were out, wrapped in towels and I had cleaned up the room, we curled up in bed with a tray of snacks between us, exhaustion creeping in on the both of us.

Olive let out a soft yawn. I kissed the side of her head, then her forehead, then the tip of her nose. "You can go to sleep, baby. I've got you."

And just as she was about to do exactly that-

The door to the room slammed open.

A chorus of voices flooded in, and I looked up to find our friends piling in like a horde. Grinning. Smug. Like they knew something we didn't.

Miles flopped onto the bed next to us like he owned it, snatching a piece of chocolate from the tray while Griffin smiled, leaning against the wall, clearly amused. "Looks like someone had an interesting birthday gift,"

"Xav, ooh." Jordan mocked, pretending to make out with Kat.

"I've got you, baby girl, it's okay," Kat said in an exaggerated deep voice, pulling Jordan into her arms dramatically.

Olive groaned, face instantly buried in her hands. "Kill me."

I let out a laugh. "My voice doesn't sound like that."

Preston, sitting cross-legged at the foot of the bed like he belonged there, popped a grape into his mouth. "There are certain activities that require a low voice," he said sweetly. "Like fucking on a jet, for example."

I almost choked. "Preston, what-"

"Speaking of which," Wyatt's voice cut in, his arms crossed, that usual mischief burning in his eyes. "Kai..." He turned to him with a slow grin. "I believe we had a bet."

Kai sighed, pulling his piercing into his lip as he pulled out his phone. "Yeah, yeah. I'll send the money."

I narrowed my eyes. "What the hell did you two bet on?"

Wyatt's smirk deepened. "Oh, how long you two would be at it for."

Olive's head snapped up. "YOU WERE BETTING ON US?!"

Kai had the nerve to look offended. "Of course we were."

Arlo clapped his hands together. "Alright, alright. Enough teasing. They've had a big night." Despite his words, he had a shit eating grin on his face as he looked between Olive and I.

Alexis smiled. "Yeah, let them recover. But just know- you'll probably never live this down."

Olive groaned again, sinking deeper into my side. I just sighed, pressing a kiss to her temple.

"Yeah, yeah. You guys had your fun. Now get out."

"Jeez, bossy much. We're not Olive, Xav." Wyatt yelped when I threw a pillow at his head, laughing as he ran out of the room.

"Fine," Xamira said dramatically. "But we expect details in the morning. And by we, I mean me."

"She's joking," Diego assured, pulling his wife into him by her waist.

The door finally closed behind them, and the silence was golden.

Olive let out a breath. "They're never letting this go, are they?"

"Not a chance," I murmured, pulling her closer.

But honestly? I didn't care.

I had her. And that was all that mattered.

The rest of our flight was spent in bed, tangled in each other as we slept. Time slipped through our fingers until the captain's voice crackled through the speakers, announcing our descent. We didn't bother changing before heading back out into the lounge to join the others.

Outside, Monaco stretched out before us-deep blue waters, sharp cliffs, the city glowing under the afternoon sun. The plane's hum softened as we got closer, but inside, tension built.

Olive tensed against me, her hand brushing over her stomach. Her brows knitted for a split second before she exhaled slowly.

"You okay?" I murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple.

"Yeah. Just a little nauseous. Probably the air pressure."

She didn't want me to worry, but I wasn't convinced.

By the time we stepped off the plane, the Mediterranean heat wrapped around us. The cars waiting on the tarmac were sleek and black, their tinted windows blocking out the world. The drive to Monte Carlo was quiet, the city slipping past in gold and glass. Olive kept close, fingers curled loosely around mine. She didn't say much, but I could feel the weight of whatever was running through her head.

The estate was as extravagant as expected-white stone, towering glass windows, a view that stretched for miles. The second we arrived, staff moved seamlessly around us, guiding us inside, collecting luggage, preparing for the night ahead.

We barely had time to breathe before we were in our suite, a team already waiting to get us ready. Everything blurred together- hands adjusting, styling, perfecting.

Time slipped.

By the time I caught my breath, Olive was sitting at the vanity, the final touches of her makeup being added, and I... I just stood there, watching her.

She was unreal. Her dress was the definition of elegance-an ivory masterpiece that hugged her body. The fabric shimmered subtly, catching the light like something out of a dream. Gold flowers spiraled down from the bodice, leading the eye to the hem. At the small of her back, a perfectly tied gold bow sat like the final brushstroke on a painting.



Her hair fell in soft waves, framing her face, and the simple diamond jewelry she wore only made her beauty stand out more. Gold heels peeked from beneath the dress-sleek, elegant.

Her reflection met mine in the mirror, a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. "Like what you see?"

I let out a slow breath, nodding my head slightly. "I might go into cardiac arrest from how mesmerizing you are."

The staff exchanged knowing smiles before quietly excusing themselves, leaving us alone.

I stepped closer, now standing beside her, our reflections side by side. We looked like a perfect contrast-light and dark, soft and sharp.

She turned to face me, a smile playing at her lips as her eyes flicked over my suit. A black piece, tailored to perfection, with gold detailing that subtly tied into her dress. Satin lapels edged with gold, an ivory pocket square trimmed to match, and a sleek black silk tie knotted flawlessly.

"You're one to talk. You look amazing."

"Thank you, my love."

Her fingers brushed my collar, adjusting it slightly, but her touch lingered, warm against my skin. "Word has probably gotten out that I'm Donna now, huh?"

I tilted my head. "What's bothering you?"

She hesitated for a second before meeting my eyes. "What if I mess up? Or say something wrong? Or embarrass you?"

I took her hand, pressing a slow kiss to her knuckles. "Mia vita, you are my all. My very existence. You're etched into my bones, my skin, my fucking soul."

"I feel you in my pulse, in the air that I breathe, in the space between my ribs where something vital used to be. There is no world, no universe, no moment in time where you could ever embarrass me. You've ruined me, baby. In such a way that I don't know what I am without you."

Her eyes shimmered slightly, and I reached up to brush away the tear that had slipped free. "Xav..." she started, but the words trailed off.

"You've always been Donna, baby. This is just the celebration of something that was always meant to be." My voice softened. "You've got this. And I'll be right beside you every step of the way."

She nodded, a small smile curving her lips. I kissed her softly before offering my hand, and without hesitation, she took it.

The house was alive with movement-laughter and conversation weaving through the halls as everyone headed downstairs.

Xamira appeared first, dressed in a sheer ivory gown that shimmered under the light, the fabric catching with every step. Her hair was pulled into a regal updo, secured with sharp gold hairpins. Diego walked beside her, his ivory suit perfectly matched to hers, though it was clear from the way he looked at her that nothing else mattered.



Alexis followed, dressed in a floor-length black and ivory gown, elegant and understated. She'd grown her hair out, and it was pulled into a sleek bun, not a strand out of place. Arlo was already at her waist before she could take another step, his suit a seamless blend of black and ivory that mirrored hers. He murmured something against her ear that made her grin as they descended the stairs.



Kat's black dress was adorned with gold embroidery, a delicate floral design that trailed up the bodice, creating the illusion of a one-shoulder neckline. It contrasted beautifully against her fiery red curls, which cascaded freely down her back. Jordan, in a matching gold suit with black details, watched her like she'd hung the damn stars.



Griffin and Miles had been ready long before anyone else, both in extravagant black and ivory suits. Their matching was effortless, seen in the small details-coordinated cufflinks, opposite inner shirts (Miles in black, Griffin in gold), and ties that subtly complemented each other.

Kai, Preston, and Wyatt each wore a mix of the three. Kai in a gold suit with black accents, Preston in ivory with black, and Wyatt in black with ivory details.

When Olive and I stepped into the main hall, everyone turned to look, the conversations around us slowed, then paused.

There was a moment-a single heartbeat-where the weight of it all settled.

Then, shattering the silence, Olive's phone buzzed in her hand. She froze, her gaze locked on the screen before unlocking it with a swipe.

Unknown: Tonight's going to be fun.

She read it aloud, her voice calm. No one flinched, no one tensed. Instead, we all shared knowing smiles and without a word, headed out of the villa.

Around each of our ears, the subtle gleam of the gold cuffs and studs caught the light. Preston, Kat, and Alexis had crafted them for us- a clever little accessory, simple and stylish.

I watched Olive as we piled into the cars, a brief flicker of unease crossing my mind. The thought of her in pain, vulnerable, triggered the part of me I had tried to keep hidden. The part of me that only came out during missions.

I smiled.

He was right though; tonight was going to be fun.

✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

Hey... hey... how y'all doing... (please tell me yk the tt sound). I have no excuse this time y'all and I'm not even gonna be like oh I'll try to write more cs whenever I say that, I just disappear. BUT the goal is to finish the book before April or at least be close. Here's to hoping.

Also can you tell I love showing the girls' dresses? UGH utter perfection. Don't wanna hear no 'this dress isn't as pretty-' NO. THEY ALL ARE. And I for one think they match everyone's personalities perfectly.

C.O.D.: The booger in your nose really makes your eyes pop!