Page 61 of Rio

“The eco resort will be good for the region.It will bring jobs and—”

“Have you even been to the coastline?”I snap.“I’ve got evidence.I’ve seen the damage.Have you?”

“Have you looked through the environmental data I gave you?”I note that he doesn’t answer my question.

“Not yet.”I wipe the back of my neck.My hand comes away clammy.

“You’re melting, princesa.Maybe you should take a shower.I’ll wait.”

“Good try, but it’s not happening.”

“Do you like sweating?Why isn’t your AC on?”He looks around the room, his nose wrinkling in disgust.

I explain the whole backup-generator failure to him.

“I need to finish this work,” I say, rubbing my temples.

His gaze lingers on my hands, my arms, my shoulders, dipping down before he catches himself and looks me in the eye again.I recall last night in the water, how we almost kissed.How our bodies touched.How I wished we could have seen that through.Maybe that’s why he’s here.

He shoots me a look.“Your plan is to melt into a puddle while you wait for the electricity to come back?”

“The generator will come on soon,” I say defiantly, while at the same time silently praying.

“We don’t have problems like this where I’m staying.I’m in the Peninsula.Not too far away.”

So he keeps reminding me.“Are you done now?”

“I don’t like us being at odds with each other.”

“We’re not on the same side, Knight.Don’t you realize that?”

“I thought we were friends.”

“Is that what last night was for?Was that your plan to soften me?”

He shakes his head, half in surprise, half in annoyance.“You think I would go to those lengths?”

“Your father did.”

“I am not my father.”He grits his teeth together, nostrils flaring.

“Tell me the truth, for once.Are you covering up for Delport Realty?Or are they covering up for you?Does Knight Enterprises always hide behind subsidiary companies?”He stiffens, so I press harder.“I’ve seen this kind of behavior from your people before.You’re known for it.”

He cocks his head.“As far as I’m aware, we do things by the book.”

“And what about your father and what he did to Uncle Arminio, Dani’s father?”

He doesn’t respond.Because he knows I’m right.

“What makes you think he plays by the rules when it comes to anything else?If he can ride roughshod over Uncle Arminio, do you think he gives a damn about the people in Belize?Or in any other country?People who are poorer, more vulnerable?Do you think he cares about them?”

Rio looks at me—really looks.As if something I said finally lands and hits him hard.“I’m going to look into this,” he says softly.

“You’re already so late.It should have been one of your first tasks.”

“I’m always in meetings, with planners, reps, consultants, project managers.”

“Then make the time to do your own investigation.”