Chapter 36

• “Cole, you need to understand something,” Kemi’s voice was smooth, deceptively calm, as she leaned against the doorframe of my office. “I’m not asking for your loyalty anymore. I’m demanding it.”
• Her words chilled me, but I didn’t let it show. I had dealt with her manipulations before, but this? This felt different. Darker. More desperate.
• “You’ve made your demands clear, Kemi,” I replied, my tone even, masking the storm raging inside. “But that doesn’t mean I’ll comply.”