Morning came too early, and not kindly.
The sunlight slicing through the curtains felt like judgment sharp, uninvited, and far too honest. I lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, replaying last night's conversation with Cyrus in my head. Three words, really. "See you later."
So simple. So final. So… not what I wanted to say.
I sat up, hair a tangle, brain worse. My phone blinked on the nightstand: three missed messages from Mitchell, one from the board's assistant, and a calendar reminder I didn't want to see Meeting with Kai Louis. 9:30 a.m.
Perfect.
Coffee first. Existential dread later.
By the time I got to the office, the building was alive with its usual hum footsteps, voices, phones, everything moving too fast for anyone to notice the woman who hadn't slept properly in days. Mitchell handed me a tablet and her best nervous smile.
"Mr. Louis confirmed," she said. "He's on his way up."
Of course he was. Men like Kai never waited for permission they just arrived and made themselves comfortable.
I walked into my office.
Catching my reflection in the glass wall perfectly pressed suit, neutral expression, the kind of woman who didn't flinch when men with power tried to box her in. I'd built that reflection myself, one decision at a time. And now I had to protect it.
The door opened behind me.
"Kai," I said without turning.
"Sienna," came his reply smooth, practiced. A voice that could sell you trust while stealing your wallet.
He stepped closer, stopping just shy of my desk. His suit was immaculate, his smile faint but calculated. "You wanted to see me."
"Yes," I said, finally facing him. "I did."
His gaze flicked toward the chair opposite mine. "I assume this isn't a social call."
"Not unless extortion counts as social."
That earned me a smirk. "Such an ugly word. I prefer mutual interest."
"I'm sure you do." I leaned forward, letting my tone sharpen just enough to cut through his charm. "Let's skip the part where you try to impress me, Mr. Louis. You're here because I need answers about Blackwood's holdings and because I don't trust the man who keeps hiding behind your name."
For a flicker of a second, something in his expression cracked. Then it was gone, replaced by that infuriating calm again.
"You're not as easy to read as your partner," he said.
Partner. The word hit like a blade to the ribs. "Cyrus and I aren't partners," I said, colder than I meant to.
Kai's smile deepened, dangerous. "Then maybe that's the problem."
The silence that followed could've frozen the room.
Outside, I could see the faint reflection of movement through the glass Cyrus's security team, subtle but present. He'd doubled them, just like I knew he would.
For a moment, I almost smiled. He didn't trust me to handle myself.
And yet, a small, traitorous part of me was grateful for it.
"Let's begin," I said, straightening the papers on my desk.
If Kai Louis wanted a game, then fine I'd play. But he'd learn soon enough that I didn't gamble. I built the table, wrote the rules, and smiled while men like him lost everything.