Page 10 of The Darkest Knight

“It’s a vanity project for billionaires wanting to buy good press.”

I resist the urge to loosen my tie. “For some, maybe. I’m committed to this company and this deal and I’m not doing it for your reasons,” I retort.

My father’s brow furrows. “What’s the point in doing anything if you’re not going to maximize profits and minimize risks?”

“We will maximize profits and minimize risks because we’re merging with a company who already does this exceedingly well. We’re tapping into their knowledge and expertise.”

“Absolutely, we are,” Dex pipes up. “Jett has a point. Renewable energy is the way forward.”

“Definitely,” Zach adds. “This is the way things are going, and it’s a good thing. We need to step away from traditional energy industries.”

“I agree.” Rio clasps his hands together, assuming a deep-in-thought business pose. “Focusing on renewables is the way forward. We’re not ditching gas and coal completely yet, we’re just exploring other avenues.”

Matteo is silent. As is my father.

I’m immensely proud of this deal, which I’ve been working on for months. “The deal will go through, barring any last-minute hiccups,” I insist.

“It’s coming up on Christmas,” my father says, dryly. “I wouldn’t get too excited.”

“If it takes longer, so be it. That’s why I have given you the important information.” I nod at the package each one of them has. “Read through it and let me know if you have any questions. I’ll call a meeting next week so we can discuss.”

I notice that everyone has opened their envelopes and are starting to flip through the information packets. Everyone except Paul Knight. He sits there, drinking whiskey like it’s an act of rebellion.

The prick.

“Pierre. Start serving entrees,” he orders.

As the courses begin to arrive, the conversation shifts to the rest of my brothers. My father nods, his sharp eyes flick to the Italian brothers. “And what about the European expansion? Have you made any progress?”

Rio leans back, his expression casual. “We’re exploring opportunities. Nothing concrete yet.”

Matteo scoffs. “Nothing worth pursuing, you mean.”

The tension spikes, but Dex jumps in smoothly. “I’ve heard good things about the luxury hotel market in Switzerland. It’s worth looking into.”

“What do you think, Jett?” my father asks, his gaze piercing. It’s odd that he’s asking me. I did my piece.

I sip my whiskey before answering. “I think diversification is smart, but the risk needs to be calculated. We can’t afford to overextend, especially not with the current market volatility.”

My father nods approvingly, but I can feel Matteo’s glare.

“You’re all so focused on the numbers,” Matteo mutters. “What about the people? The employees? The communities you disrupt with these deals?”

“Since when do you care about that?” Dex retorts, his tone light but cutting.

“I care about not turning into him,” Matteo says, jerking his head toward my father.

The table falls silent, and Matteo’s words hang in the air like the Sword of Damocles. It’s only a matter of time before my father will say something to cut him down.

“This is good,” Zach makes a noise like he’s enjoying the food. It’s not bad, even I can admit that. Trust our baby brother to try to humor our father, but the beef carpaccio with truffle oil, shaved parmesan and microgreens are pretty damn good, as always.

The conversation continues, but the undercurrent of tension remains in the air. By the time dessert is served, I’m counting down the minutes until I can leave.

The Knight family dinners are never just a meal. It’s a game—strategic, calculated, and utterly exhausting.

I sip my whiskey, watching my brothers and father navigate the chessboard of life on which we’re all just mere pieces. There are times when I wish ours was a warm, nurturing, and jovial family—for Brooke's sake, more than anything. But looking around the table, my little girl is safer being kept away from this.

The Knights makeGame of Throneslook like a game of musical chairs.

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