Kai took the seat opposite me like he owned the place. The worst part was, he made it look natural the kind of confidence that wasn't loud, just quietly dangerous.
He adjusted his cufflinks, silver catching the light. "I heard Blackwood's been keeping you busy."
I didn't bother looking up from the papers in front of me. "He keeps everyone busy. It's his best trick."
"And yet, you called me."
That earned him a glance. "Don't flatter yourself. I called because I needed information, not charm."
He laughed softly, like he'd expected that answer. "Information always comes with a cost, Sienna. You of all people should know that."
My fingers paused on the page. "And what's yours?"
Kai leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, eyes sharp enough to cut glass. "A conversation. Off record. No security, no Cyrus breathing down your neck. Just you and me."
I tilted my head, studying him. "You think I need to be alone to tell you no?"
His smile didn't waver. "I think you need to stop pretending you're not already curious."
That one landed not because he was right, but because he was close enough. There was something about him that didn't add up. Every file Cyrus had dug up showed a man with too few mistakes.
If he was that meticulous why would he allow Blackwood do all those things knowing he was connected.
I folded my arms. "You have five minutes, Mr. Louis."
"Good." He leaned back, eyes flicking to the window behind me. "Then let's start with the truth about Blackwood. He's not what you think he is."
I raised an eyebrow. "Then what is he?"
"A collector," he said simply. "Of companies. Of power. Of people. And you, Sienna Black, are his next acquisition."
For a heartbeat, the room felt colder.
I didn't show it, but my pulse jumped. "if I remember correctly you have already told me this Mr Louis"
"I expect you to see it," Kai said. You're already isolated. He will try cut off your funding channels, inserthis men into your departments, and try to windle your boar's . Blackwood doesn't destroy his opponents. He convinces them to sign first."
I said nothing, but my throat went dry.
He wasn't wrong. I'd noticed the shifts subtle changes in approval chains, projects being rerouted without explanation. I'd told myself it was temporary. Normal. But deep down, I'd known.
"And Cyrus?" I asked finally. "Where does he fit in your story?"
Kai's gaze softened, just slightly. "Cyrus thinks he's protecting you. But men like him… they only know how to protect things by controlling them."
I didn't answer. Couldn't. Because he wasn't entirely wrong there either.
Kai rose, buttoning his jacket. "Think about what I said. You have more enemies than you realize."
He turned to leave, but paused at the door. "And Sienna..."
I looked up.
"When you decide which side you're on, make sure it's yours."
The door clicked behind him.
I sat there for a long time after, staring at the empty chair he'd left. My hands were still steady, but my thoughts weren't.
Cyrus would come for me after this meeting, I knew it. He'd demand to know what Kai said, what he wanted, why I hadn't thrown him out sooner. And I'd lie. Not because I wanted to but because I needed time to figure out which part of this game was real.
I opened my drawer and pulled out the folder Cyrus had given me days ago Louis, Kai Confidential. The edges were already worn. I flipped through the photos, the bank trails, the evidence.
And there it was a new note, one I hadn't seen before. A file update automatically synced from Cyrus's secure drive.
SUBJECT: KAI LOUIS — UNKNOWN CONNECTION TO PROJECT BLACKWOOD. POSSIBLE INTERNAL LEAK. SOURCE UNVERIFIED.
My stomach dropped.
Someone inside my company was working with him.
And if Kai was right…
Then Blackwood wasn't coming for me.
He was already here.