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Harlen flies to his feet, his usual temper flaring as Grayson flinches behind me. “What is the meaning of all this? I have been nothing but a loyal servant to you and your leadership,” he demands as men scoff around the table. “I have only ever looked out for Dynasty and what is best for our people.”
“Indeed,” I say. “I did not say that you haven’t.”
“Then what are you talking about?”
I glance back at Grayson and nod, and without hesitation, he moves to his father’s side and slides his phone on the table before him, pressing play on the security footage of Harlen breaking Ida out of the Dynasty cells. “You wiped the security footage, father, but you forgot about the cloud. It took only seconds for Cruz to find it.”
Harlen falls back into his seat, his eyes wide, knowing how I like to handle traitors, but in this case, it’s different. Harlen has never stepped out against me and has never taken an attempt on my life, though I’m sure he would given time. Freeing Ida was a mistake, one done with the intention to gain followers, but he’s clearly not smart enough to pull it off.
“You freed Ida Carver while fully aware of her connection to Paris Moustaff. I would ask you why, but your reasoning is pretty clear, seeing as though you have been campaigning for leadership since the very beginning.”
“I … I have not. I campaigned during the time I thought you had passed.”
I raise a brow and glance around the table. “Can anybody confirm that Harlen Beckett has not attempted to gain their loyalty since finding out that I was alive?” Not a damn hand raises and I look back at Harlen. “I think it’s pretty clear where their loyalty lies.”
“I …” he starts, shaking his head, not knowing what to say. “I don’t know what to tell you, Elodie. You’re right. I have been aiming for leadership and with Royston and Scardoni out of the way, I thought I had a fair chance. And to be quite honest with you, the threat from Paris was looming over our heads and the likelihood of your survival wasn’t great. I was simply preparing for what could have been. However, you are right. I did release Ida from her cell, but no ill will was intended for you. I wish to take your position, not see you dead. I can see the respect and loyalty you receive from our people and I could not risk losing that by being the reason for your untimely death. That would not look good for me.”
“Indeed it wouldn’t,” I tell him. “However I have already taken this into consideration and the men sitting around you have already had the chance to come to a conclusion about your future as a head of Dynasty.”
His brow arches and he glances around the table, looking at each of the men around him as though he’s just been stabbed in the back. “Dare I ask what they have decided?”
“Of course,” I say. “You are lucky that despite your harsh attitude and ability to throw tantrums, the men at this table have respect for you, and considering that no harm was brought to me or any of the other heads of Dynasty, bar Dante who was nearly murdered by his own mother, we have decided that effective immediately, you will step down from your position as head of your family, and your son, Grayson, will resume your duties.”
Harlen looks at his son as though he just took a knife and stabbed it right through his back. “This is outrageous.”
I scoff. “What’s outrageous is that despite your betrayals against Dynasty, your son has pleaded for your life and managed to keep you out of a cell, so I suggest that you take this as the blessing that it is and use this newfound time to travel with your wife. Buy a yacht and learn how to sail. Consider it early retirement, and in exchange, not a word of this will be uttered to the people of Dynasty. You will maintain your reputation, however, if you decide to put up a fight or step out of line, I will be inclined to change my decision and put you in a cell. Now, I don’t know about you, but it seems like you’re getting the better end of the deal here.”
Harlen lets out a breath and slowly nods his head as he stands from his seat. “Understood,” he says as the other men around the table stand, letting him go peacefully, but not before he stops by his son and pulls him into his arms. “Don’t embarrass the Beckett name,” he says. “Your mother will be thrilled. She’s always wanted to spend a year traveling.”
“Sounds good, Dad,” Grayson says, clapping him on the back before pulling back. “Think of it as a bonus. There’s a party going on and this gives you the perfect opportunity to announce your retirement and put the spotlight back on you.”
