Page 117 of Rio
Convincing her?I’m not sure I heard right.I enter and look around the apartment Like Rio, Jett also has a penthouse.I can see a hot tub and a terrace outside.It’s all sleek and modern, and I’d expect nothing less.
“Where’s Brooke?”I ask.I want to see her face when she pulls out the cuddly elephant.
“She’s at school, and after that she’s going to her friend Eden’s for a playdate.We have the entire evening to ourselves.”
“I wasn’t sure about this,” I admit as we step inside.“But thank you for having me.”
Cari smiles.“We all need our girlie me-time, especially when the world’s been a little cruel.”Her voice is warm and kind with no trace of judgement or tension.I can see why Dani likes her so much.
It’s only early afternoon, which I find odd.I would have expected something like this in the evening, at the end of the working day.
The living room smells like freshly popped popcorn.There are bowls of M&Ms and pretzels, little platters of cheese and grapes, and three empty wine glasses.
“Red, white, rosé or champagne?”Cari asks.
“Champagne!”Dani cries.
“Let’s start with some wine first, and then we can move onto the champagne?”Cari gives her a look which I can only describe as cryptic.I start to wonder what is going on.
“Rosé,” Dani suggests, and Cari disappears into the kitchen, I presume.
I turn to Dani.“What is going on?”
“Nothing.”It’s when she smiles sweetly that I know I should be worried.Cari returns with the rosé and pours generously.“To healing, and new friendships.”
I clink my glass against hers, then Dani’s.
“To not being alone,” I add quietly.I’m so passionate in defending others, but when it comes to me, I’m too hard on myself.Seeing their warm smiles, and the understanding in their eyes, I realize that it’s okay to lean on people.That strength isn’t always about standing alone, but sitting beside the ones who won’t let you fall.
“Rom-com or breakup revenge?”I ask, feeling comfortable, and relaxed as I sink back into the oversized couch.
Cari looks at me.“You choose, and maybe we can watch that later.”
“Later?”
“Hon.”Dani turns to me.Here it comes.The hairs on the back of my neck stand up.I know when something isn’t quite right.
“It’s ready,” Cari says, fiddling around with a laptop and cables.I have a feeling we’re not about to watch something a rom-com.
Chapter 38
RIO
Despite being full, the boardroom feels colder than usual.
Shiny glass water jugs and glasses abound neatly around the long, rectangular table polished walnut table.Men in suits sit around it looking somber.Dex sits next to me, his expression stern.On either side of us sit our respective brothers.The old man is at the head, looking like a victor.It secretly amuses me that he has no idea what’s coming.He thinks this is me talking about the Eco resort, and other real estate deals I’ve been working on.The rest of the table is filled with legal counsel, PR heads, and two outside board investors.
I set the phone on the table and tap the screen.The red light blinks, telling me that we’re live.I’m streaming the show.
“You sure, brother?”Dex asks, his voice still cautious, like he’s not sure.He didn’t want me to do this.
“I’m sure.”
I considered recording it, and giving a copy to Raquel to watch, but I changed my mind a few days ago.Dex couldn’t talk me out of it.I’m breaking protocol but I don’t give a damn.Raquel needs to see it happen live.They can come for my head later.I told Dani of my plan, and she was the one who suggested she bring Raquel to New York, and set up some sort of girlie event with Cari.I love how these women all have each other’s back.It’s puts us Knight boys to shame.Though we’re learning.Decades of the old man’s conditioning is slowly being stripped away.Shivers skate along my back and neck at the thought that, if all has gone according to plan, it’s possible that Raquel might be watching this right now.
The old man’s eyes narrow to slits.“What is that?”he asks, tone clipped, and cold.
I meet his gaze without flinching.“A live stream.For someone who deserves to hear the truth.”
