Page 17 of One Rule
“So why didn’t your Mayor Joaquin Armas agree?”
Lifting his drink, Lionel takes a deep sip, shifting his eyes toward my desk. More importantly toward a sheet of paper I’d somehow missed while his sister was busy distracting me with her treats. “Because Liliana found out and begged him not to. She made him realize he’d be taking away one of the last accessible places in Miami for thousands of families to visit who want to enjoy a peaceful outing while enjoying the beach. Reminded him of all the times they went kayaking—of him teaching me how to fish there.”
“And now someone’s angry at him.”
“Yes, but we never thought anyone would be stupid enough to steal from us. Involve you.”
“I want a name, Lionel.”
“Rodolfo Diaz.” No hesitation. That’s all he says, and my world becomes a red haze. If there’s one thing I am, it’s a man of my word: Liliana Armas is untouchable.He’s a dead man.The asshole is a developer and works with a large investment group, which my father is a part of. He’s also a man who just bit off more than he could chew. “Diaz has been trying to make this happen for a few years now but keeps hitting a wall. No one’s giving him the green light, but Dad verbally did before his election.”
“I’m guessing he backed out.”
“Yeah, he did.”
I nod, swirling the contents inside my glass around. In my mind, I’m already seeing the chess game set in front of me and the second of my moves will be made shortly.
The first was when I killed Herbert.
The second comes when I call Alfred back.
This changes things slightly. I’ll situate my pieces and unlike the game, I’ll kill the fake king.
“You understand I won’t take this lightly? That this as a personal insult?”
“I’m as angry as you are.”
“Good. Because they’re lucky she wasn’t home when it happened or they’d already be dead.” And Lionel understands what I mean. On the dates given to me by Alfred, my rebel had been away on a weekend getaway on another one of my ships with her adoptive cousin, Bernice. Three days at sea with port stops at our private island—a playground for those looking to relax, drink, and enjoy the Caribbean waters—and then the Bahamas.
She’d stayed in my private room.
Had security on board and off, following her until she was back home without a single scratch. This was also before her move into her mother’s condo.
“I need her to be safe no matter what, Royce. That’s all I’m asking for here.”
“You have my word. Rebel will always be safe by my side, but are you?”
“I can handle the security for my father and me.” Turning a bit, Lionel places a hand on my shoulder and gives it a squeeze. The man before me has a look in his eyes that I’m all too familiar with. This is someone wanting retribution—blood. “I came here knowing something was wrong and with a warning of my own. If something happens, Micah, take care of them. All the information you need is in those papers. Use them however you see fit, but they don’t touch Lila or Mom.”
“You have my word.”
“Thank you, my brother.”
* * *
After Lionel left,I stayed inside my office taking care of a phone call from the head of accounting regarding the sudden change in personnel. Not that he could argue with me on it, Andrew Weber was getting a much-needed secretary, but Beverly wasn’t exactly what the older male had in mind when it comes to the position.
This man is straight-laced and heavily ruled by propriety. Not one for games.
More so when it comes to making sure every single cent in my company is accounted for and properly disbursed with the proper paper trail to explain the most minute expenditure. I trust him, as did his last assistant who retired a few months ago, and only due to medical reasons.
Since then, the man hasn’t been keen on taking anyone new on.
His wife managed their department while he ran the numbers. The husband and wife team were seamless for thirty years and I’d hate to see the man go, especially because of this.
Yet there’s no one I trust to keep her under rein.
Why I gave him the right to fire her if need be.