Zero and Jude Kinkade had finally made it. After years of drama, betrayal, heartbreak, and a brief stint of soul-crushing separation, they were finally on their honeymoon. And not just any honeymoon — a full-on luxury Sicilian escape at one of the most exclusive five-star resorts in the Mediterranean. The kind of place where the price of a poolside cocktail could fund a small country's healthcare system.

Zero had insisted on it. "If we're going to do this, we're going to do it right," he had said, standing shirtless in their shared penthouse back in Los Angeles as Jude scrolled through travel options on his phone. "No Airbnbs. No budget hotels. No Uber to the airport. We're doing black car service and Dom Pérignon for breakfast."

Jude had been hesitant at first — not because he didn't want a dream honeymoon, but because he still wasn't used to letting himself have nice things. Zero, on the other hand, had been born for luxury. Or at least he had become accustomed to it after years in the NBA. When your name was plastered on billboards and sneaker deals, five-star luxury became the baseline.

But now, here they were — standing in the middle of their jaw-dropping hotel suite, fresh from the chaos at the pool.

"Okay…" Jude said, surveying the room. "This is… a lot."

A lot was an understatement. The suite was massive — probably bigger than their entire condo in LA. White marble floors gleamed under the light of a crystal chandelier. The walls were draped in soft cream linen, and the bed — oh god, the bed — was the size of a small island. French doors led to a private balcony overlooking the Mediterranean, and beside it stood a small infinity pool that melted into the ocean horizon.

Zero grinned. "I told you it'd be nice."

"This is ridiculous," Jude said, running a hand over the plush gold-thread duvet. "Like… this is actually insane."

Zero flopped down on the bed, hands behind his head. "You're welcome."

Jude pulled off his sunglasses and narrowed his eyes at Zero. "Do I even want to know how much this cost?"

"Nope," Zero replied easily.

Jude sighed, walking toward the French doors and pushing them open. Warm Sicilian air washed over him, the scent of salt and jasmine lingering in the breeze.

"Okay," Jude admitted. "Maybe this is worth it."

"Exactly," Zero said.

Jude turned, smiling — until he remembered exactly why they were hiding out in their room.

"You know Daphne and Cameron are going to murder us, right?"

Zero sat up, smirking. "Over a cabana?"

"Yes, over a cabana!" Jude ran a hand through his hair. "We literally stole it from them."

"Correction — I stole it from them," Zero said proudly.

Jude shot him a look. "Zero."

"What?" Zero grinned. "You were sitting there looking all cute in those swim trunks, and I saw an opportunity. So I took it."

Jude shook his head. "You really think it's that simple?"

"It is that simple," Zero said, stretching his legs out on the bed. "It's a cabana. They can live without it."

Jude walked back toward the bed and sat down beside Zero. "Apparently not."

"Honestly, I don't even feel bad," Zero admitted, crossing his arms. "I've had a thing for cabanas ever since my rookie year. The team went to Hawaii for a basketball conference. First time I ever sat in a cabana was at this resort in Maui — they brought me fresh pineapple and unlimited mai tais, and I just remember thinking, 'Yeah. I've made it.'"

Jude laughed. "So this is personal for you."

"Very," Zero said seriously. "Cabanas are sacred. I couldn't let some blonde Stepford Wife and her finance bro husband take it from me."

"Okay, but now they hate us."

"They already hated us," Zero pointed out. "Cameron was practically measuring my dick from across the pool with his eyes."

Jude groaned. "You're impossible."

"Yeah, but you married me," Zero said, rolling toward him.

Jude smiled — until he heard it.

Laughter.

Loud, obnoxious, over-the-top laughter echoing from the hallway.

Jude's smile faded. "No."

Zero sat up. "No way."

The laughter grew louder. Jude and Zero exchanged a look.

"It can't be," Jude said.

Zero stood and walked toward the door. "There's only one way to find out."

"Zero—"

But Zero was already swinging open the door.

Standing there in the hallway — laughing, holding hands, looking way too smug for two people who had just lost a cabana — were Daphne and Cameron Sullivan.

"Oh my god," Jude muttered.

Cameron's smile dropped instantly when he saw them. "Well, well, well," Cameron said, arms crossed over his chest. "Look who it is."

Daphne's eyes lit up in a way that made Jude nervous. "Oh my god, you're in this suite?"

Zero crossed his arms. "Is that a problem?"

Cameron laughed bitterly. "Of course not. I mean, it's just funny."

"What's funny?" Jude asked, stepping toward them.

"That you two are in this suite," Daphne said, her smile stretching a little too wide. "I mean, this is the biggest suite in the resort. The presidential suite."

Zero's brows lifted. "Yeah. And?"

"And we were supposed to have this suite," Cameron said.

"Wait — what?" Jude's jaw dropped.

"Yeah!" Daphne said, shaking her head. "We booked it months ago, but the front desk said it got double-booked."

"And you took it from us?" Cameron added.

Zero's smirk widened. "Sounds like you have a management problem."

Daphne's smile dropped. "This is unacceptable."

Zero shrugged. "Feel free to file a complaint."

Cameron took a step toward Zero. Jude's heart rate picked up. Cameron was taller, broader — former college football player, maybe? Definitely someone who thought physical intimidation was a form of foreplay.

Zero, of course, didn't flinch.

"We're not going to let you get away with this," Cameron said, his voice low and dangerous.

"Uh-huh," Zero replied, leaning casually against the doorframe. "And how exactly are you gonna stop us?"

Daphne reached for Cameron's arm. "Honey, let's not make a scene."

"Oh, we're past that," Cameron growled.

Jude stepped between them. "Okay — can we just take it down a notch? It's just a suite."

"It's not just a suite!" Cameron shot back. "It's the presidential suite! We planned this trip for months! We deserve it!"

"Oh my god," Zero groaned. "You're acting like we stole your firstborn child. It's a room."

"A room with a butler and a private terrace!" Daphne snapped.

Jude rubbed his face. "This is so stupid."

"No — this is about principle," Cameron insisted.

"Yeah?" Zero said, leaning in dangerously close. "Then maybe your principles need adjusting."

"Oh, you wanna go?" Cameron stepped toward him.

"Maybe I do," Zero replied.

"Oh my god, stop!" Jude exclaimed, physically stepping between them.

Daphne sighed dramatically. "I can't believe you're being so difficult."

Zero's eyes narrowed. "Difficult?"

Daphne rolled her eyes. "Of course the gay couple makes a scene."

Jude's head snapped toward her. "Excuse me?"

Daphne's eyes widened, realizing she'd maybe gone too far.

"You should leave," Zero said coldly.

Cameron's jaw twitched. "We're not done."

"Oh, yes, you are," Zero said. "Enjoy your regular-ass room."

Daphne's mouth opened and closed like a dying fish before she finally dragged Cameron away.

Jude sighed as Zero closed the door.

"Well, that went well," Zero said.

Jude looked at him in disbelief. "We're gonna get murdered."

"Yeah," Zero grinned. "But at least we'll die in a nice suite."