Zero Kinkade had been in plenty of high-stress situations in his life. Championship games. Trade deadlines. Half-naked fights with Jude in the tunnel behind the arena. He'd faced down some of the most aggressive players in the NBA — hell, he'd been one of them.

But Daphne Sullivan? She was playing an entirely different kind of game.

And Zero knew how to play games.

It had been almost too easy to walk away from Daphne at the poolside bar after she tried (and failed) to seduce him. If anything, he was kind of disappointed. He expected better from a seasoned blonde socialite with a track record of chaos. But it didn't matter. Daphne could try all the manipulative tricks in the book — Zero wasn't biting. He'd already won the biggest prize of his life. Jude.

When Zero got back to the hotel suite, Jude was standing at the marble vanity in nothing but a white towel, smoothing his hair back with one hand while scrolling through his phone with the other.

Jude looked up when Zero walked in. "So… how'd it go?"

Zero leaned casually against the doorframe. "Predictable."

"She tried to sleep with you, didn't she?"

"Yup."

"And you shot her down?"

Zero grinned. "What do you think?"

Jude shook his head, clearly fighting a smile. "Good. I'm proud of you."

Zero's eyes narrowed. "Why does that sound condescending?"

"Because you have a history," Jude teased.

"I've never cheated on you."

"I know. But you used to love the attention."

Zero's gaze sharpened. "I love you."

Jude smiled. "Yeah, yeah. Congratulations. You resisted Daphne Sullivan."

"It wasn't exactly hard."

Jude raised an eyebrow. "You're gonna regret saying that."

Zero's eyes narrowed. "Why?"

Jude tossed his phone on the bed. "Because you just gave her a challenge."

Zero crossed his arms. "Bring it on."

Jude shook his head and turned toward the walk-in closet. "Anyway, I'm going sightseeing."

Zero's brows lifted. "Since when do you sightsee?"

"Since I learned that Agrigento has ancient Greek ruins."

Zero's expression flattened. "You want me to go look at… rocks?"

"They're not rocks," Jude said. "They're temples. The Valley of the Temples. One of the most preserved ancient Greek sites in the world."

Zero sighed. "Okay. And why do I have to go?"

"Because we're on our honeymoon."

"Right."

Jude's gaze softened. "Plus… you said you wanted to make memories."

Zero sighed. "Okay. Fine."

Jude smiled and pulled a linen shirt off the rack. "Good. Now get dressed."

Zero walked toward the closet. "I'm not wearing linen."

"You are wearing linen."

"Nope."

"Zero."

Zero grinned. "Fine. But if it wrinkles, you owe me."

Jude smiled. "Deal."

Ten minutes later, they were stepping out of the elevator in coordinated linen looks — Zero in cream, Jude in crisp white. Jude was already planning their itinerary on his phone while Zero adjusted the sleeves on his shirt.

As they walked past the pool, Zero spotted Jelena perched on a lounge chair, looking completely unbothered in a black swimsuit and oversized sunglasses. Her dark hair was pulled back into a sleek bun, and her long legs were crossed elegantly at the ankle.

Terrence was sitting nearby, flipping through a copy of GQ Italia while Miguel splashed in the shallow end of the pool.

Jelena glanced up as Zero and Jude passed. "Where are you two off to?"

"Agrigento," Jude said.

Jelena raised an eyebrow. "Sightseeing?"

Zero sighed. "Jude's idea."

Jelena smiled knowingly. "Of course."

Miguel waved from the pool. "Bye, Zero!"

Zero smiled. "Later, kid."

As Zero and Jude walked off, Jelena's gaze shifted toward the other side of the pool. And there they were.

Daphne and Cameron.

Of course.

Daphne was lounging in a white bikini and a wide-brimmed hat that screamed I don't get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day. Cameron was beside her in designer swim trunks, looking exactly like the kind of guy who owned multiple boats and treated his staff like shit.

Jelena smiled faintly. This should be fun.

She stood and walked toward them, not bothering to grab a cover-up. She wanted them to feel threatened.

"Daphne," Jelena said sweetly.

Daphne's sunglasses slid down the bridge of her nose. "Oh."

Cameron sighed. "Here we go."

Jelena smiled. "Lovely to see you."

Daphne's mouth curled. "I doubt that."

Jelena crossed her arms. "So… how'd it go with Zero?"

Daphne's mouth tightened. "Excuse me?"

"Oh, don't play dumb," Jelena said. "You invited him for a drink. Alone."

Daphne's smile sharpened. "It was just a drink."

Jelena's eyes narrowed. "Is that why you tried to put your hand on his thigh?"

Cameron's head whipped toward Daphne. "What?"

Daphne glared at Jelena. "Excuse me?"

Jelena's smile widened. "Oops. Was that not public knowledge?"

Cameron's mouth twisted. "Seriously?"

"It wasn't like that," Daphne said quickly.

Cameron's gaze darkened. "What was it like?"

Daphne's mouth flattened. "I was… just testing him."

"Testing him for what?" Cameron asked coldly.

Jelena smirked. "Fidelity?"

Daphne's eyes flashed. "Stay out of it."

Jelena cocked her head. "Why? Are you worried I'll say something that might embarrass you?"

Daphne's jaw twitched.

"Careful, Daphne," Jelena purred. "This is Sicily. Secrets don't stay buried here for long."

Daphne's expression turned hard. "You think you scare me?"

"I know I scare you," Jelena replied smoothly.

Daphne stood. "We're done here."

"Aw, leaving so soon?" Jelena said innocently.

Cameron stood too, clearly annoyed. "We have somewhere to be."

"Oh?" Jelena smiled. "Where?"

"Agrigento," Daphne said crisply.

Jelena raised an eyebrow. "That's funny. Zero and Jude are going to Agrigento."

Daphne's smile sharpened. "What a coincidence."

Jelena's eyes narrowed. "You wouldn't be thinking of interfering, would you?"

"Of course not," Daphne said smoothly. "We're just sightseeing."

Jelena's gaze sharpened. "Stay in your lane, Daphne."

Daphne smiled. "Or what?"

Jelena leaned in slightly. "You don't want to find out."

Daphne's gaze stayed steady for a long moment.

Then she smiled. "We'll see you later."

Cameron followed Daphne toward the entrance.

Jelena's smile faded. "Well, that's going to be a problem."

Terrence's gaze lifted from his magazine. "How much of a problem?"

"That depends," Jelena said, watching Daphne disappear inside. "On how badly she wants to lose."

Terrence smiled faintly. "Should we warn Jude?"

"No," Jelena said. "Let her try."

Miguel climbed out of the pool and wrapped himself in a towel. "What's happening?"

"Nothing," Jelena replied. "Just a little game."

Miguel smiled. "I like games."

Jelena smirked. "So do I."

She settled back onto the lounge chair, her gaze fixed on the spot where Daphne had just been.

"Oh, Daphne," Jelena murmured. "You have no idea what you've started."