The second the door swung open, the air in my office shifted that particular kind of silence that only comes when someone dangerous walks in.
"Mr. Vale," Kai said smoothly, like the name tasted expensive. "What a surprise."
Well, it wasn't a surprise Kai knew who Cyrus was. After all, he must have looked into my company.
I didn't look up right away. I needed a second to breathe, to hide the small, traitorous flicker in my chest that always came when I saw him. The man could make a three-piece suit look like a warning.
"Mr Vale," I said finally, my voice steady, eyes sharp. "You weren't invited."
I saw the small shift in his composure, hearing me call him Mr Vale.
He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Yeah. I noticed."
Kai leaned back in his chair, looking far too comfortable for a man who made enemies for a living. "We were just discussing business."
"I'm sure you were," Cyrus said, closing the door behind him with quiet finality. "Mind if I join?"
I almost told him no, but the way Kai's lips twitched that little flash of amusement —made me bite my tongue. Two wolves in one room, both circling, both waiting to see who'd flinch first.
"Have a seat," I said, leaning back in my chair. "Since you're already here."
He didn't sit. Of course he didn't. Cyrus always preferred to loom to make people feel like the air belonged to him. He rested one hand on the edge of my desk instead, gaze flicking to Kai.
"I've read your file," he said coolly. "Interesting history you've got. I didn't realize people with your background engaged in such things."
Kai's smile didn't falter, but I caught the faint tightening in his jaw. "And I didn't realize personal investigators were part of your curriculum."
"Only when i see Miss Hart getting involved with men whose investments include blood money," Cyrus shot back.
"Enough." I stood, slamming my pen down. "Both of you."
The sound cracked through the tension like lightning. They both went quiet, and I could feel the pounding of my heart in the space between them.
"This isn't about who can play alpha," I said, glaring at both of them. "It's about keeping this company my company out of the mess Blackwood and Kai started. You can posture all you want later."
"Kai, I'm sure with what Mr Vale said, you should know why you are here. I need answers."
Kai looked at me for a long second, then smiled again softer this time, but laced with something calculating. "I don't think the air around here now is play for such discussions. i'll be in touch, Miss Hart."
When he brushed past Cyrus on his way out, the air practically sparked. Neither man looked away.
"Wa..."
The door shut. Silence.
I let out a slow breath and pressed my palms to the desk. "You shouldn't have come."
Cyrus's voice was low, rough with something that wasn't quite angry. "And you shouldn't have called him."
"I needed answers."
"And what did you get?"
I looked up at him. "A warning."
His jaw clenched. "From him?"
"No," I said softly. "From you."
For a long moment, we just stared at each other two storms, waiting to see which would hit first.
"Go back to work, Cyrus," I whispered.