Kian had spent his entire career learning how to read a room.
And right now?
The room was waiting for his answer.
Mercer had played his hand—testing him, pushing him, seeing how far Kian was willing to go.
Adrian had made his position clear—a silent but undeniable warning that Mercer wasn't getting Kian without a fight.
And Kian?
Kian was about to rewrite the game entirely.
He exhaled slowly, letting the silence stretch just long enough to make Mercer lean in.
Then he smirked.
"You think I don't see what you're doing," Kian murmured, voice just low enough to make Mercer work to hear him. "But I do."
Mercer's expression remained unreadable, but something flickered in his eyes.
Amusement.
Interest.
Approval.
Kian leaned forward slightly, his drink still in hand. "You're not testing my loyalty, Mercer. You're testing my ambition."
Mercer hummed, taking a slow sip of his own drink. "And?"