Chapter 261: Loyalty Defined

Cole drove in silence, his grip firm on the wheel. Ava sat restrained in the backseat, her wrists bound, her face unreadable. The tension between them was thick, but he didn't care.

He had made his move. Now, it was time to prove where he stood.

The convoy of armored SUVs moved steadily through the city, their presence unmistakable. He had ensured every exit was blocked, every possible escape sealed. Ava wasn't slipping away again.

His phone buzzed. He glanced down, already knowing who it was.

Ethan.

"Status?" Ethan's voice was sharp.

"She's secure," Cole responded calmly. "No resistance. I have her en route now."

A pause.

Then, "Chris wants her brought straight to him. No stops."

Cole smirked slightly. Of course he does.

"Understood."

He ended the call and exhaled, his eyes flicking briefly to the rearview mirror. Ava was watching him, her expression unreadable.

"You really think this changes anything?" she asked, her voice controlled, but there was an edge to it.

Cole didn't react. "I don't think. I know."

Ava scoffed. "You're delusional if you think Chris will ever fully trust you. He'll always wonder."

Cole finally glanced at her, his jaw tightening. "I don't need him to trust me. I need him to know I follow orders."

Ava tilted her head slightly. "You could've let me go."

Cole exhaled, focusing back on the road. "And throw away everything I built? No."

She watched him for a long moment. Then, her voice dropped slightly. "Then why do I feel like you hesitated?"

Cole's grip on the wheel tightened, but he didn't answer.

Because deep down, he knew she was right.

He had hesitated.

Not because he doubted Chris. Not because he wanted to betray him.

But because he knew—Ava wasn't the only problem in this game.

And something told him that by delivering her to Chris, he was only setting the stage for something even bigger.