Page 439 of Black Reign

“Blackwell becomes strategic partner.”

“Client.”

“Partner.”

“Paying partner.”

A pause.

“Fine.”

I smile.

Xavier looks at his father.

“That was easier than expected.”

“It was not easy.”

“You folded in three minutes.”

“I am preserving the company's most valuable personnel.”

I look toward Xavier.

“Did he just call me valuable?”

“I think so.”

Senior points toward the door.

“I can revoke this offer.”

“No, you can't,” Xavier says.

His father glares.

Then:

“What are you calling it?”

I already know.

The name has been waiting years.

I look at Xavier.

He knows too.

Something passes between us.

Private.

Old.

Ours.

“NULL,” I say.