“You’re no longer a guest,” he said flatly. “Until this is resolved, you’re a prisoner.”
The word hit the room like a dropped blade. Mason didn’t argue.
He just lowered his head slightly. “Understood.”
Something in my chest twisted. I stepped in again, voice firmer this time. “I’ll be responsible for him.”
Cooper didn’t respond immediately. He studied me, like he was weighing something. Me, my judgement, my loyalty, perhaps all of it.
“You’re emotionally compromised,” Cooper said bluntly.
He wasn’t wrong. Cooper probably knew I’d been spending a lot of time with Mason and had come to care deeply for him, but still it didn’t make it easier to hear those words.
“Maybe,” I admitted. “But I’m also the one he trusts. If this goes sideways, I’m the best chance we have of keeping him cooperative.”
Cooper’s eyes narrowed slightly. Then, after a beat, he nodded. “Fine.”
Relief hit me harder than I expected, but it didn’t last, because this wasn’t over.
“We use this,” Cooper continued, turning back toward his desk. “If Daniel wants inside our territory, we give him a reason to step closer.”
Mason’s head lifted slightly.
“What do you want me to do?” he asked.
Cooper didn’t hesitate.
“You call him. You tell him you’ll do what he asked,” Cooper ordered.
Mason stiffened.
“And Kai?”
Cooper’s gaze sharpened. The room seemed to tighten around us.
“You tell him you want your brother here before you make any move,” Cooper said. “If he wants access, he pays for it.”
Mason’s hands curled into fists. He nodded slowly. “Okay. Thank you, for considering Kai.”
“Don’t thank me yet,” Cooper said drily.
Mason swallowed. “I understand.”
“Good,” Cooper said. “Then make the call. Put it on loudspeaker.”
Mason hesitated for half a second, just long enough for me to see the fear flicker through him. Then he pulled out his phone. His fingers shook once, twice.
I reached out, brushing my knuckles lightly against his. I wanted to remind him that he wasn’t alone. He glanced at me for a second, then hit dial. It rang twice, then the line clicked.
“Didn’t expect to hear from you so soon.” Daniel’s voice was smooth.
Mason inhaled slowly.
“I’ll do it, But I have a condition,” Mason said.
Silence on the other end. Then it was followed by a soft, mocking chuckle.
“You don’t get to give me orders, dog,” Daniel said.
