Divine Obsession (GodHood #2)

Chapter 56

Present

The living room of our townhouse was my favorite spot, full of natural light that streamed through the tall front windows and fell on the modern, cozy furniture Trevor insisted we needed. It was the first room you walked into when stepping through the front door.

Maria had claimed the plush corner of the sectional, her legs curled up beneath her and a textbook balanced on her knees.

She’d been in study mode since she arrived, her usual intensity doubled. Watching her pour over midterms was a stark contrast to the Maria I’d grown up with – the one who skipped class, rolled her eyes at anything academic, and always got detention she never attended.

Now, it was like nothing could pull her focus from her notes.

“Em,” I said her nickname, stretching out on the opposite end of the couch. “Are you actually going to ignore me the whole time you’re here?”

She didn’t look up. “Sorry. Midterms.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Okay, but the guys are out, and this is the first time we’ve had to catch up in weeks. You can’t spare ten minutes for your sister?”

Her pencil paused mid-tap as, she glanced up. “I’d love to, but failing this economics exam doesn’t exactly scream personal growth.”

I shook my head, laughing. “Take a break. You’re going to give yourself a headache.”

She sighed, closing the textbook shut and leaning back against the cushions. “Fine. But if I don’t pass, I’m blaming you.”

“You’ll do great.” I grinned, happy to finally pull her out of her study spiral. “So, how’s life? Zach still trying to out-romance Trevor?”

Her lips twitched at that, and I could tell she was trying not to smile. “Always.”

She moved to put her textbook in her Birkin, before pausing mid-motion. Her eyebrows knit together, and with an exasperated sigh, she grabbed her phone.

“Just a second, Nat,” She told me, dialing.

The call connected on the first ring.

“Didn’t I tell you to stop putting money in my wallet?”

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

From what she’d earned working for Ruiz, and later with the Italians – Maria had serious money. But as I peeked into her bag, and caught sight of her wallet, overflowing with hundred-dollar bills – judging by the neat stacks, they weren’t hers.

They were Zach’s.

On the other end of the line, Zach’s deep voice came through, calm and unbothered. “Maybe I can recall something…”

“Yeah? Well, it hurts my back. They’re that heavy.”

“Shit. Really?”

“Yes.”

There was a pause, and then Zach’s amused voice cut through. “I better get you a bodyguard then. To carry all your money around.”

Maria’s mouth fell open. Her tone dropped, before she replied through gritted teeth, “That won’t be necessary.”

Zach’s soft chuckle came through the line. “I love you, baby.”

“Love you, too,” She mumbled, before hanging up.

I raised an eyebrow as she left her phone on the glass coffee table. “What’s wrong, Em?”

She leaned back, crossing her arms. “I swear, he won’t let go of what happened between us.”

“The breakup?”

She nodded, a deep sigh escaping her lips. “Yeah. But it’s not just gifts and money. I see it tearing him apart on the inside. I see and feel it every time we kiss or… You know . He won’t forgive himself.”

I smiled sadly, a sigh escaping me. “What happened with you guys was… Intense .”

Maria shook her head. “You gotta understand, Nat… The things I’ve seen and experienced – both in the Bronx and as an assassin – what happened was nothing . All he did was hold me in that room for two days. At his apartment in Queens. He never hurt me, not even when he thought I was sent to kill him.” She averted her eyes, her voice carrying insinuation. “Plus, we even…”

I gasped, laughing. “While you were his captive ? I should’ve known you’d be this kinky.”

She rolled her eyes, a faint blush on her cheeks. “Those feelings don’t just go away.”

“So, why does he still feel guilty?” I asked, more serious now. I reached out, squeezing her arm lightly.

She hesitated, her gaze softening. “When he said nothing between us had been real. That he’d used me to get to Ruiz. Of course, I know that was a lie now, but… That was what hurt.”

I took another deep breath, nodding understandingly. “I get that.”

“When I left his place in Queens, he told me he’d lied. But I didn’t believe him.”

“When did you believe him?” I asked, leaning forward.

She let out a small breath, her voice barely above a whisper. “When he was bleeding out for taking four bullets in the chest for me.”

“God…” I shook my head, the memory vivid in my mind. “You wouldn’t stop crying at the hospital. I’d never seen you like that before.”

Maria shook her head slowly, her expression distant. “He almost died, Nat. Because of me.” She gulped. “And now he’s upset at himself for making me cry. I wish I knew how to help him move past this.”

“Do you still talk about it?” I asked gently.

“We did when we got back together,” She admitted. “I told him everything – my past, what happened with us, how I felt. He told me everything… There’s nothing left to say. He just… Won’t forgive himself.”

I pulled her into a hug. “He just really loves you, Em. What he did was wrong, and this is his way of apologizing, even though you’ve already forgiven him.” Pulling back, I cupped the side of her face. “Give him some time. It’s only been three months.”

Maria smiled.

“And talk to him again. Tell him how you feel.”

She laughed, straightening. “Yeah. You’re right. I will.”

The front door opened, and I glanced up from my spot on the couch to see Trevor and Zach walk in.

Speak of the devil.

“Hi!” Maria and I said in unison, our voices carrying the warmth.

The guys flashed us smiles as they took off their winter jackets. Trevor’s grin soft and full of adoration, while Zach’s smirk was wide and slightly teasing – classic him.

I watched as Zach made his way directly to Maria, who twisted around on her knees on the couch. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close like he’d been gone for days instead of hours.

“ Mi amor ,” He murmured, his voice low and intimate as he leaned down to kiss her.

She let out a soft breath, her hands already slipping under his black T-shirt to rest against his abs. “ Missed you ,” She whispered against his lips.

I turned my attention to Trevor, smiling shyly as he rounded the couch to where I sat. His grin was playful, but the way he kissed me – a slow, sweet pull – made my heart flutter, even now.

Then, to my surprise, he squatted down in front of me, brushing a soft kiss across my growing belly. He did it all the time when it was just us, but this was the first time with others in the room.

“How are my girls?” He asked, his voice filled with so much love I felt my heart grow.

Maria pulled away from kissing Zach, her head snapping towards me. “You’re having a baby girl?!”

I rolled my eyes at Trevor, playfully smacking his arm. “We don’t know. He’s just assuming.”

“ Predicting ,” Trevor corrected with a wink. He stood and turned to Maria. “Hey, can you help me with the groceries? Nat’s not supposed to be lifting anything too heavy.”

“Sure.” She smiled, already heading to the kitchen on the other side of the floor.

As Trevor followed, he gave Zach a knowing look over his shoulder.

Zach waited until the two turned the corner and were out of earshot before dropping onto the couch beside me, his usual calm veneer cracking just enough for me to notice.

“So,” He began, his voice low. “Do you think she’s ready?”

I rolled my eyes. “Not more ready than when you asked me yesterday.”

“C’mon, Nat. You gotta help me out here,” He pleaded, running a hand through his dark hair.

I shook my head. “It’s too soon.”

“But–”

“You’re both too young.”

He sighed, scratching the light scruff on his jaw. “Yeah, you’re right. I just… I want to show her how much I care.”

“Then show her with your words, time, and affection,” I said firmly. “She doesn’t care about gifts and money.”

“I know, I just–”

“Gifts are only good when there’s no intent behind them,” I interrupted, raising a brow. “And let her finish school first. You know that’s her priority right now.”

His head dropped against the back of the couch, a playful, frustrated groan escaping his chest. “I can’t wait any longer, Nat. I love her. I want to marry her.”

“You will,” I reassured him.

“Yeah?”

“Of course.”

“So, she’ll say yes?”

“If you get the right ring,” I joked, nudging him with my elbow.

Zach’s eyes flicked cautiously toward the hallway before he reached into his pocket and pulled out a red velvet box.

I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth. “Zach, you didn’t!”

He grinned, flipping open the Cartier box to reveal a stunning emerald-cut diamond. It was enormous but still delicate and elegant, catching the light with an almost otherworldly sparkle. Smaller diamonds encrusted the platinum band, accentuating the brilliance of the rock.

“Forty carats,” He said casually, his voice laced with pride. “Most expensive white diamond on the market.”

“And most beautiful…” I marveled at the beautiful precious stone. “How much?”

“Fifty mil.”

“You did good .”

A smile tugged at his lips. “I would’ve paid seventy for a colored one like yours in a heartbeat, but–”

“Not her style,” I finished, smiling knowingly. I knew Maria didn’t want a colored engagement ring, no matter the price. She had always said she wanted something timeless and classic, and this was it.

The engagement ring Trevor had gotten me was a fifty-carat, oval pink diamond from a jeweler in Hong Kong – which just so happened to be one of the most expensive stones in the world due to the color. It spoke to me; to us . Not the price, or the carats, or the rarity. But the thought that went into picking it.

I knew the ring Zach had gotten would speak to Maria. It was to die for. And exactly her style.

“When did you get it?”

His eyes darted to mine before shifting back to the ring.

“ Zach .”

“A while.”

“What’s a while ?”

He shrugged, snapping the box shut and slipping it back into his pocket. “Couple months.”

I gasped and smacked his arm. “You’ve had it this whole time? No wonder you can’t stop thinking about proposing!”

“I thought it’d take the edge off, you know? Knowing I had it and could ask whenever I wanted. But… It’s killing me, Nat.”

I leaned over and pulled him into a hug. “I know you’ll put Maria first and do the right thing. The same way you always do. She’ll say yes when the time is right.”

Pulling away, he nodded, his tension easing a little. “I hope so.”

“You know I’m right,” I said with a wink.

For the first time since he’d sat down, a genuine, relaxed smile spread across his face.

It was around four in the afternoon when Trevor and I walked Maria and Zach to the door, the afternoon sun spilling through the townhouse’s large windows. We’d lingered over lunch, the company making time slip by faster than expected.

“Wait,” Trevor said, as Zach reached for his jacket. He turned to me, his hand intertwining with mine. “Now’s a good time, don’t you think?”

I nodded, smiling as I looked at Maria and Zach. “We wanted to ask you both something important.”

Maria tilted her head, curiosity sparking in her eyes as she zipped up her black puffer. “What is it?”

“We were wondering if you’d do us the honor of being our baby’s godparents.”

Trevor and I shared a connection to Catholicism, though his ties to faith were more casual than mine. His upbringing was shaped by a mix of cultures and traditions – his mother, Cuban and Catholic, while his father’s Japanese heritage introduced him to Shinto beliefs.

Despite his father being largely secular after growing up in the States, Trevor and his sister had still learned about their roots and respected those traditions. It created a beautiful balance in his life, blending faith and culture without being bound too strictly to either.

Maria’s jaw dropped, her hand flying to her chest. “Are you serious?”

“Absolutely,” I said. “There’s no one else we’d trust more.”

“We would love to!” Maria turned to her man, her excitement palpable. “Right, Zach?”

Zach’s face softened as he looked at her. “Of course, hermosa . We’d love to,” He finished, turning to us.

Maria let out an excited squeal, launching herself into Zach’s arms with such force it made him stumble back a step. He laughed, holding her tightly as she clung to him.

“I love you guys!” She smiled, still half-bouncing as she disentangled herself from Zach and threw her arms around Trevor and me.

“We love you, too,” I said, hugging her tightly.

Maria crouched down, her hands resting gently on my bump as she spoke softly. “Bye, baby. You’re already so loved, you know that?” She leaned in and placed a soft kiss on my stomach. I couldn’t help but tear up at the tenderness in her voice.

Zach stood beside her, his gaze lingering on Maria as she stayed crouched in front of me – his usual cockiness softened by gratitude; the kind that spoke volumes without words.

Trevor clapped a hand on Zach’s shoulder, chuckling. “Welcome to the family.”

“Thanks, man,” Zach laughed. They’d already been brothers for years.

As Maria straightened and slipped her hand into Zach’s, I couldn’t help but feel a swell of emotion.

In that moment, it wasn’t just about labels or the promise of guidance and support for our child.

It was about family – the one we chose to build.

And Maria and Zach were undeniably part of ours.