Page 26 of Collateral Love
“That binds people,” I said.
“That’s the point,” he said quietly. “I don’t trust shallow loyalty.”
His gaze held mine, heavy and intent.
“You ain’t trying to be my girl,” he said slowly.
“No.”
“But you want to be my equal.”
“Yes.”
Then he smiled widely and coyly.
“The dangerous little engineer,” he murmured.
He stood up from the table and walked to the counter, pouring himself another drink. He didn’t offer me one again this time. He already knew I’d say no.
“Come here,” he said.
I stood and followed him into the living room. Everyone had said their goodbyes and headed out. He moved furniture without thinking about it, sliding the coffee table back, clearing space like his body already knew this room was about to become a workspace.
He grabbed a legal pad off the shelf and a pen from the counter.
“Show me,” he said.
I knelt on the floor, spreading my papers out between us.
I had more maps. Not just the campus this time, but of the local structures, from Crestwood to Cherry University. The highways and spots that I thought would make good delivery windows.
Zayden sat across from me, forearms resting on his knees, eyes sharp and focused.
“You've been planning this longer than you've been letting on,” he said.
“Yes.”
“For how long?”
I didn’t answer immediately.
“Since I realized nobody was going to save me and my siblings,” I said.
That earned silence.
I traced a finger along one of the routes.
“This campus,” I explained, “is just the beginning. It’s clean. It’s controlled. It gives us cash flow without noise.”
“And Crestwood?” he asked.
“That’s where we scale,” I replied. “But not the way you think.”
He leaned closer, his knee brushing mine.
I didn’t move.
I didn’t acknowledge it.
