Jude Kinkade had reached his breaking point.

There was only so much psychological warfare a man could take, and Jude had officially hit his limit after Cameron's bullshit earlier that afternoon. Between Daphne's stalking, Cameron's gaslighting, and the fact that Harper and Ethan were enabling it all with their awkward complicity, Jude was two seconds away from snapping.

But thankfully, they had an escape plan.

Dinner.

Jelena, naturally, had suggested seafood — because Jelena was incapable of doing anything low-effort. If they were going to eat, it was going to be luxury. And since they were in Sicily, that meant one place: Granduca Restaurant Taormina — home of the most famous Sicilian pasta on the island.

And honestly? Jude was more than ready to drown his rage in carbs and Negronis.

They left the beach around dusk. Miguel was still wet from the ocean, his curls damp, but Jelena wrapped him up in a designer beach towel and declared that he was "fine" because "kids don't get cold." Terrence drove while Jelena sat in the front, scrolling through OpenTable reviews as if she were vetting a potential investor.

Jude and Zero sat in the backseat — Jude's head resting on Zero's shoulder while Zero scrolled through his phone.

"Did you make a reservation?" Jude asked sleepily.

"Of course I made a reservation," Jelena said, offended. "I'm not an animal."

Zero smirked. "Relax, babe. Jelena's got it under control."

Jelena's eyes narrowed at him through the rearview mirror. "What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing," Zero said innocently.

Terrence sighed. "Can we at least try to have a quiet night?"

Jelena scoffed. "You think Daphne's going to let that happen?"

Terrence sighed. "God, I hope not."

Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at Granduca.

The restaurant was tucked into the side of the cliff overlooking the beach. The exterior was draped with fairy lights, and the terrace was framed by white stone columns. The view from the balcony was ridiculous — the ocean stretching toward the horizon, the cliffs of Taormina glowing orange beneath the setting sun.

"This is insane," Jude muttered as they walked toward the host stand.

"You're welcome," Jelena said.

The hostess took one look at Jelena (who was dressed like she was about to make a hostile takeover of a Fortune 500 company) and immediately led them toward the balcony.

The table was perfect — tucked into a private corner with a panoramic view of the water. Jude and Zero sat next to each other, while Jelena settled next to Terrence. Miguel was between them, still wrapped in his towel.

"Do they have spaghetti?" Miguel asked, squinting at the menu.

"Spaghetti isn't seafood," Jelena said.

"But it's Italian!"

Jelena sighed. "Fine."

"I'm getting the Involtini Di Pesce Spada," Jelena said, scanning the menu.

"Good choice," the waiter said.

"Of course it is," Jelena replied.

"I'll take the Frutti di Mare," Terrence said.

Jude ordered seafood risotto. Zero ordered linguine with clams. Miguel got his spaghetti. Jelena ordered another Negroni (and convinced Zero and Jude to get one too).

Things were finally starting to feel normal.

Until the devil arrived.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Jelena hissed.

Jude's eyes narrowed. "What?"

Jelena's gaze sharpened toward the entrance. "Look."

Jude followed her gaze — and his stomach sank.

Daphne and Cameron.

Of course.

Daphne was dressed like she was about to walk a Milan runway — a floor-length neon green silk dress with an open back and a thigh-high slit that was so aggressive it bordered on obscene. Cameron, naturally, was wearing an open linen shirt and white pants, looking like a Ralph Lauren ad. Harper and Ethan trailed behind them, both looking more uncomfortable than usual.

"Oh god," Zero muttered. "Her dress is blinding me."

Jelena's eyes narrowed. "That is the loudest dress I have ever seen."

Zero smirked. "Tell us how you really feel."

"I'm sorry — are we still pretending this woman has taste?" Jelena scoffed.

Zero chuckled. "Never."

Jude's mouth tightened. "Please tell me they're not sitting near us."

As if on cue —

"Oh my god!"

Daphne's fake-excited voice carried across the terrace like nails on a chalkboard.

"They're sitting near us," Jude groaned.

Harper spotted them first and leaned toward Daphne. "Oh shit."

"What?" Daphne said innocently.

"It's them," Harper whispered.

Daphne's eyes flicked toward Zero and Jude — and her smile sharpened.

"Oh! Hi!" Daphne called, lifting her hand in a dramatic wave.

Zero visibly cringed. "I'm going to be sick."

Jude shot her a cold look. "Hi."

Daphne led her crew toward the table next to them — because of course she did.

"Is this seat taken?" Daphne asked, already lowering herself into the chair next to Zero.

"Yes," Jude said flatly.

Daphne smiled. "I didn't hear a 'no.'"

Jude's jaw tightened. "It's reserved."

Daphne sat down anyway.

Harper and Ethan took the other seats. Cameron sat down across from Daphne, draping an arm over the back of her chair like they were the king and queen of the restaurant.

Zero rubbed his face. "I hate this."

Jelena's smile sharpened. "Don't worry. I've got it."

Daphne's smile widened. "I hope we're not intruding."

Jelena leaned forward. "You are."

Daphne's smile sharpened. "Aw. Jelena. Still bitter?"

"About what?" Jelena purred.

"Zero," Daphne said. "And how I got his attention so easily?"

Jelena's gaze sharpened. "Sweetheart, it's not difficult to get a man's attention when you're dressed like an overpriced highlighter."

Daphne's eyes flashed. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

Daphne's smile dropped. "Jealous?"

Jelena's eyes narrowed. "Of what? Your synthetic fabrics?"

Daphne's smile darkened. "Careful."

Miguel, sitting quietly next to Jelena, lifted his middle finger toward Daphne and Cameron.

Jelena's head whipped toward him. "Miguel!"

Miguel lowered his hand. "What? They're rude!"

Jelena shot him a look. "We do not do that in public."

Daphne's smile widened. "It's cute."

Jelena's eyes narrowed. "He's six."

"Exactly," Daphne purred. "Starting young."

Jude's gaze sharpened. "Daphne—"

"Relax," Daphne said. "We're just having fun."

Jude's mouth tightened. "We'll see."

The waiter appeared with their food — steaming plates of Sicilian pasta and fresh seafood.

"Finally," Zero muttered.

Jude's eyes stayed on Daphne. "We're not done here."

Daphne smiled. "I know."

Jude's mouth curled. "Good."

Zero leaned toward him. "Still hungry?"

Jude smiled faintly. "Starving."

Daphne's gaze lingered.

Game on.