Page 119 of Rio

“You’ll issue a formal apology to the Belizean Environmental Authority and EcoGuardians.You’ll fund a restoration project.It will be independent, transparent, and monitored.I’ll oversee that.I’ll make sure you’re not up to your old tricks.You’ll donate a significant portion of the profits from the eco resort to support marine and community protection programs.”

He scoffs, sitting back and smoothing his tie.“And if I don’t?”

“You’ll be voted down,” Jett says.“The board will remove you as chairman and install a watchdog oversight committee.”

He glares at all of us, his boys, who are speaking against him.Standing against him and holding firm.Not walking away.Not yet.

His nostrils flare.“Fine.You want a symbolic punishment, I’ll let you have it.”

The audacity of it.I’ll let you have it.This man lives to control.It’s in his blood.In his DNA.

“It’s not symbolic,” I say.“It’s justice.”

“Forher?”he sneers.

“For all the people you hurt.For the land your actions damaged.For what this company was supposed to stand for.”

The old man gets up, ready to speak, but I cut him off.

“This is your legacy.But you raised sons who’d rather burn your empire down than become you.”

“You accept Rio’s offer?”Jett asks the old man.

He nods once, but says nothing.This is killing him.Everything about him is tense.He’s like a statue, carved out of stone hard and unyielding.It would have been brutal if I’d done this at a private Knight Family dinner.There would have been plenty of drama, and accusations.Screaming and swearing.He wouldn’t have held back, and neither would I.

But doing this here, in front of board members.That’s what he can’t forgive.He despises me for it, and I know he’ll never forget it.There will be a reckoning for me one day, and I’ll have to brace myself for it.

Protect the ones I love, always.

I cut the live-stream, and boardroom empties, and it’s just us.And him.My brothers crowd around me, all of them, including Jett, Dex and Zach.

“That must have taken guts,” Jett says, gripping my hand hard.“Well done.”

Zach gives me a look.“Did you have to do it like this?”

I see his soft spot for the old man.“Yes.I did.”

Matteo fist bumps me.“Bold.”

Enzo nods.“Wish you’d told us beforehand, but I understand why you didn’t.”

Dex slaps me on my back.“Well done, brother.We’re celebrating tonight.No excuses.”

The old man’s voice cuts through the air like a blade.

“You’re suspended, effective immediately.Hand over your badge, your passcodes, everything.Security will escort you out.”

Dex sniggers.“You waited until the board members left before saying this?”

Jett leans against the oak-panneled wall, arms folded.“Doing things underhandedly again, father?”

The old man’s glare could incinerate a city.“I want this off the record.Expunged from the transcript.This was a breach of confidentiality, and anyone who sides with him will answer to me.”

“No.”I say, hands fisted deep in my pockets.

“You heard,” Jeff growls, stepping forward.“It won’t be erased, and Rio isn’t leaving alone.”

The old man’s nostrils flare.“You’re siding with him?”