Page 78 of Endlessly Raphael
“What?” I ask.
“We’ll exile him to our father’s village for a year,” my father says. “We went there as children and every time, he couldn’t wait to get back to America. We still have some extended family there.”
Ali grins. “Devious and perfect. Let’s go tell him.”
“Does that work for you, Haven?” my father asks, and the gesture is so foreign, my throat clogs.
“Yes, that’s fine.”
“Good. You tell him. We’ll back you up. Amir, can you help Haven organize the necessary paperwork to make these adjustments?”
“Of course.”
We walk back to where my uncle is slumped in a chair between Rapha’s intimidating as hell brothers.
“We’ve made our decision,” I announce. “Your profit-sharing percentage will be redirected to a trust for your children. You will repay what you’ve stolen, and we’re implementing a ban on the use of the family name, ideas, and all related business dealings.”
Joe’s mouth drops.
“Additionally,” I continue, “in lieu of involving the authorities over your actions tonight, we’re sending you to Egypt for a year.”
His face turns red with anger.
“Your family will be provided for in your absence.”
“You… you can’t do that,” he says, his voice shaking.
“Yes, actually we can.”
“And if I were you, Joe,” Rapha says, “I’d take Haven’s deal. You don’t want to know what I would like to do to you for the danger you put him in tonight.”
I don’t know what Joe sees looking at Rapha, but pure terror settles over his features and he nods. “Okay. Okay, yes, I accept this.”
When I look at Rapha, he smiles and winks at me.
The elevator doors open and Thorn comes strutting out. He glances around at everyone as he approaches me and Rapha.
“What’s going on?”
“Just tying things up with Joe,” Rapha says.
“Are we draining him?” Thorn asks, his face lit up.
My father, Ali, and Amir blanche, and I have to hold back laughter.
“No, unfortunately,” I answer. “We’re banning him from the company and the country for a year.”
“Boring. Hey, I found the guys Joe paid to rough up your mate. Let’s just say they won’t be fucking anyone up for a while.”
“Thanks, Thorn,” I say.
“You got it.”
My uncle and father talk with Amir while Joe sits pouting in the chair.
I lean into Rapha as he puts his arm around me. “What a wild night.”
He kisses the top of my head. “I’m proud of how you handled yourself.”