Page 77 of Endlessly Raphael
“What is it?” Rapha asks.
“Only several million dollars directed to an offshore account belonging to a company that doesn’t exist on any government’s books.” I look up at my uncle. “You piece of shit.”
He attempts to rise from his chair, but Midnight and Eros hold him down by the shoulders.
“Joe?” Ali says, still looking at the printout. “Did you steal from us?”
He doesn’t say a word until Raphael kicks his shin. “Please don’t make us force you to talk. You won’t enjoy it.”
Joe, still seething, lifts his head, focusing on my father. “You are so weak, Salman. You were just going to accept it all. Thirty years we’ve dedicated to our father’s vision, all so he can just give it away to your son. Not mine, not Ali’s. Your… flighty son.”
I know all too well that flighty is code for gay. Anger rises like bile in my throat, but Rapha has his arms around me, holding me in place, so I lean into his presence for balance.
“I am the oldest,” my father says. “It is tradition.”
“We are still alive,” Joe spits. “What does Haven know? He failed once. Are we supposed to sit back and let him destroy everything we built?”
“It’s what father wanted, Joe. You know I wasn’t happy about it either.”
“But you wouldn’t do anything,” he yells. “So I did. I took enough to make sure I could survive, and yes, I intended to make a point. It’s not my fault he stupidly walked into that building.”
“Yes it is, you asshole. I wouldn’t have been there if it hadn’t been for you.”
“I would rather die than watch you take my livelihood from me,” Joe mutters.
“Maybe we can arrange that,” I retort. I rub my forehead. “Amir, Father, Ali, can we speak?”
The four of us step into the massive foyer while Raphael stays with my mother.
“What would you like to have done to him?” I ask. “I have my opinions.”
“Which are?” my father asks.
“Pressing charges would bring unflattering attention to the business and possibly worry our clients and partners, plus I can’t prove what he did to me tonight unless he confesses.”
Both men nod while Amir just listens.
“I was thinking maybe he has to return the money he took and, I don’t know, pay us some kind of restitution. Of course, he’s out of any business dealings, but I’m open to hearing other ideas.”
“As a family member,” Amir says, “he’s entitled to lifetime profit sharing as established by your grandfather. You could adjust that benefit.”
I nod. “But that hurts his family too.”
“We could set up a trust for his children and ensure he doesn’t have access on any level,” Amir suggests.
“Hmm. I like that.”
“I propose a lifetime ban from using the family name, any client relationships, or business ideas,” Ali says. “That will handicap him greatly.”
I nod. “Good. Anything else?”
“He needs to pay for what he did to you tonight,” my father says. “Pay with more than money.”
“I don’t know how we’d accomplish that without involving the authorities.” I turn my head to see Rapha handing my mother a cup of tea. My heart swells in my chest at his gentleness with her. Only I know what’s hiding under his surface. Why is that so damn hot?
“I have an idea,” my father says, his tone somber. “He’ll hate it.”
Ali’s expression lifts too. “Oh. If it’s what I’m thinking, that’s genius.”