Page 68 of My Orc Billionaire
“In recent weeks and months, Vengeance Mine has been the recipient of angry protests. My DMO asked ifwe should do something about them, but…” I opened my eyes and searched out the now-quiet sign-wielders in the back. “I didn’t give the order, because I realized deep down, I agreed with them.”
The murmuring began as I switched my attention to the reporters in the front. “You see, my people have lived in harmony and balance with the land for generations. I was raised to revere it, and it was my explorations as a kitling that allowed me to know what to look for once I understood the human drive to abuse natural resources. That knowledge has made me a rich male, but my guilt hasn’t been easy to bear.”
From the back, a call of, “Exploiter!” rang out before the woman was hushed.
I nodded in her direction. “Yes, exploit, that was the word I was looking for. I exploited the land, trying to prove a point to myself and to the humans. But it went against everything I believed aboutbalance, and I would guess I’m not the only orc here today to have had these conflicting thoughts.”
Quite a few of the males nodded or called out agreements.
“Yeah, boss!”
“The money’s good, though!”
“My father would be ashamed if he knew what I do.”
At my side, Garrak shifted and said quietly, “This is a career, but not a way to honor our ancestors.”
So I nodded solemnly. “It’s time we set things right. Starting last Monday, the Vengeance Mine is in the process of closing down.” The exclamations andobjections began again among the reporters and protestors, so I raised my voice. “I am offering positions at the East Coast refinery to any of my employees who are willing to move, and I have arranged housing on Eastshore Isle.”
The orcs burst into cheers and claps and laughter, and I couldn’t help but grin.
The stories of Eastshore had reached them all, thanks to Sylvik and Sakkara and even Garrak. I imagined the island would have quite the influx of orc males soon.
I hoped they’d all be as lucky as I had been. I hoped they would all find their peace, their happiness, and their Mates. I grinned down at Riven, who squeezed my hand.
But there was more to be said, so I lifted my free hand to quiet the cheering. “This property will be donated to the people—humans, orcs, whomever—who want to experience nature. I’ve already hired a pair of biologists who will work to fix the ecosystems my hubris ruined, and I’ve opened channels with the state to turn this into a protected conservation area.” I pinned the protestors with my gaze. “No one will ever again be able to develop this land once it has returned to nature.”
Now their cheers joined my men’s, and I felt something like joy buoying me. I was never going to love public speaking, but all this shit needed to be said. Best to finish it up.
“And starting tomorrow, Vengeance, Inc. will be officially rebranded. I started this company with a veryparticular purpose in mind, as you could guess.” Unconsciously, my fingertips rose to press against my ruined cheek and tusk. “My scars and pain demanded retribution, and it’s taken me a decade to understand how much I harmed not just the land, not just my men, but myself.”
With a proud nod, I pulled Riven to me, tucking her up against my side. “It took a very special human to teach me how wrong I’d been. And that’s why, starting tomorrow, all of my holdings will be renamed Radiance, Inc…” I grinned down at her. “In honor of my Mate, Riven Starr, whose guiding light has led me out of the deepest darkness.”
Honestly, I’m not sure if too many people could hear the last part of that sentence over the outburst of pleased noise at the wordMate, but Riven did, and that’s all that mattered.
“Radiance?” she whispered.
“You’re my star,” I told her with a grin.
She rolled her eyes and smacked my chest with her free hand, but then turned it to a caress and leaned against me. I could feel the satisfaction rolling off her, and I swung my attention back to the gathered crowd.
“Starting tomorrow, Radiance will have a new mission: Balance and understanding as we move to make our world a better place. It’s taken a decade, but I’ve found peace, and I hope to bring it to my friends who have honorably worked with me all these years.” I swept my gaze over them as I told them heartfeltly, “Thank you, my friends. I’ll see you soon.”
With that, I stepped away from the microphone, pulling Riven with me. The reporters pushed forward, asking questions I couldn’t answer, not in front of everyone, while the protestors cheered and clapped. I was most pleased with the response from my men, who were talking excitedly and animatedly, hopefully about their futures. This wasn’t a surprise; I’d spent the last week meeting with them and their shareholders, arranging everything.
But I hoped it would bring them the same peace my brothers had found. The peace I prayed for.
Garrak clapped me on the shoulder. “I’m proud of you, boss. Thank you for watching out for them.”
“Thankyoufor protecting us all these years,” I told him solemnly, then turned my attention to Riven. “And thankyoufor showing me what’s really important.”
“Whatisreally important, Abydos?”
“A home. A future. A community you can rely on. Peace.”
“Well then, Mate.” Her arms snaked around my waist as she grinned up at me. “Let’s go home.”
Chapter Fifteen
