Page 128 of Rio

I wonder if this empire finally cost him something, and I wonder if the king is starting to fall.Instead of feeling triumphant, a heavy sadness settles over me.I feel numb.

I don’t hate him—not the way I thought I would.I don’t want him gone.I don’t want him dead.I just want…peace.For me.For all of us.Maybe even for him.

That’s the part that surprises me.This feels like a momentous event.He’s losing his grip, and we’re finding our strength.His empire, built on secrets and control, is one we can rebuild, with a conscience.With heart.With transparency.

He never believed these things were important, but I know they are.

Jett and Dex know they are.

Because of Dani.

Because of Cari.

Because of Raquel.

We’re finally choosing something different.

I don’t know what happens next.I don’t know if the old man makes it another five years, or if his health collapses like his moral compass.But I do know this much; we’re no longer standing in the shadow of a tyrant.We can build this company differently, with a different set of values.We have the heart and moral courage he never possessed, and just because we share this man’s DNA, doesn’t mean we walk in his footsteps.

Epilogue

Two weeks later ...

RIO

“This is a lovely hotel,” Raquel says, gazing around in awe at the landscaped grounds.

We’ve arrived early at the Casa Adriana, in Verona.I was supposed to meet with Nico Cazale months ago, before the old man sent me to Belize.I have a proposal for him which would benefit both of us, and he’d be smart to take it.

“Not bad.”I look around, taking in the manicured gardens dotted with lemon trees, a central fountain sparkling in the sunlight, and wide terraces shaded by striped awnings.It’s quiet here, and refined, every stone, every flowerbed, is placed with intent.

Nico Cazale is the king of the luxury hotel empire.He has a portfolio of high-end, upscale, boutique hotels.Nothing gaudy or commercial.Allegedly, a stay at one of his hotels promises relaxation, peace, privacy and indulgence.I’ve read the write-ups in luxury travel magazines.They’re glowing.I hope he agrees to the deal, because it will be good for both of us.

We walk inside, across the black-and-white marble-tiled floor, which gleams under the soft lighting.A receptionist at the front desk looks up and smiles warmly as we head towards her.

“What will you do?”I ask Raquel, stopping beneath an enormous crystal chandelier that sparkles in the sunlight streaming through the tall windows.

It’s been two weeks since the old man’s health scare.He’s now at home, getting rest.I wouldn’t say it’s brought us, the brothers, closer to him, but we take turns visiting him at his penthouse.There are no Knight family dinners, for now.That’s one advantage.

When he was told about his kidney disease, he didn’t show fear.He demanded every possible treatment option, grilled the doctors like they were under a corporate audit, and refused to acknowledge weakness.If anything, the diagnosis made him more determined to exert control, as if sheer will could outpace the limits of his own body.

He scared us, but he also made us realize the old man is fallible.He’s just a mere human—not the god he likes to think he is.

He’s fine now, but the doctors have advised us that he needs ongoing kidney treatment.

He now has a private butler tending to his needs, a private nurse, and the usual housekeeper, chef, and cleaning staff who keep his personal life ticking over.

It’s not easy to warm to him, even now, while he sits on his recliner, reading papers and documents, still trying to stay up to speed with everything at the office.Trying to keep his watch over everything.

He hasn’t changed one bit, not really.Every day he’s getting stronger, and that usual hard, unforgiving streak is back.

“I’ll just walk around the grounds.They look spectacular.”

“You sure?”Her color and vivacity are back.After four interviews with Kingston Mansell, they offered her the job.She starts in two weeks.She’s perfect for it, and I couldn’t be more happier or more proud of her.

We’re here in Italy for a week—for this meeting in Verona, but also for a long overdue visit to see Mama.I want her to meet Raquel.She’s the first, and only, woman I’ll take to meet her.I think Mama will love Raquel as much as I do.It’s not just so that the two most precious women in the world to me can meet.There’s another reason.I wanted to tell her in person about the old man.Matteo, Enzo and I all agreed that it wasn’t something we could tell her over the phone.

“I’m sure.Look at these beautiful gardens, Rio.A world away from a law office.”