Page 128 of Collateral Love
No time. No location.
That meant now.
I considered not going.
That fantasy lasted exactly three seconds.
Running only works when you still have shadows. But I knew I didn’t.
The war room felt different when I walked in. Zayden didn’t look up when I entered.
Kenya was there too.
That surprised me.
She looked better than she should’ve. Bruised, yes. Tired, yes. But Kenya was sharp and present. She looked untouchable, the way women do when they survive something meant to break them.
She didn’t look at me.
That hurt more than anger would’ve.
“We’re done pretending,” Zayden said calmly.
I nodded. “I figured.”
Xavier leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “You want to talk now, or later?”
I swallowed. “Does it matter?”
Kenya finally spoke.
“It does,” she said quietly. “Because one version lets you live longer than the other.”
I met her eyes then.
For a second, everything I’d buried surfaced—want, regret, the ache of knowing I’d never been chosen.
“I never wanted you hurt,” I said.
She tilted her head. “But you were okay with scaring the shit out of me?”
“Yes,” I admitted.
Zayden stepped forward. “You married Cameron.”
I didn’t deny it.
“She’s not the mastermind you think,” I said. “She’s grieving.”
Kenya laughed once.
“Everyone grieves,” she said.
Xavier pushed off the wall. “Here’s what’s going to happen.”
I listened.
“You’re going to keep cooperating,” Xavier continued. “You’re going to feed Cameron exactly what we allow. You’re going to help us dismantle Charles without tipping her off.”
