Page 110 of Teach Me to Fly

He stills like I’ve knocked the air from his lungs, and our father’s expression shifts from cold to contemptuous in a blink.

“That’s not an option.”

“Why not?”

He tosses the renovation packet onto the desk. “You already know why.”

“Say it.”

“You want me to say it?” His lip curls. “Because he’s gay. Because he doesn’t understand the depth of the work or the discipline that goes into it. He doesn’t have the instincts.”

Lando whistles. “You got all that just from who I fuck?”

My father’s eyes cut to him. “Watch your tone.”

I stand abruptly, the chair legs scraping back.

“That’s bullshit and you know it. Lando’s been here every damn day. Working hard and training even harder. He’s never once let Imperium down.”

“He doesn’t have the image,” my father snaps. “You do.”

“And you only ever cared about that, but image isn’t enough anymore. The future of this company depends on people who understand artistry and empathy.”

Lando stands now too, his face pale, hands clenched at his sides.

“I’m not asking for your blessing,” I say. “I’m telling you the plan. Lando will take over the lead next to Angelique after opening night. And when it’s time, he’ll become co-owner next to me, as my equal. I’ll continue building Imperium with him, but if you can’t get behind that—if youwon’t even try to see his worth—then I don’t want any part of Imperium.”

My father’s eyes narrow. “You would throw this all away. Just like your mother.”

I flinch at the mention of her, but I push through. “I’m not walking away from this family,” I hiss. “But I’m not living a life I don’t enjoy anymore, either.”

And then I turn and walk out. The hallway is cold as my boots hit the marble.

“Reign!” Lando’s voice breaks through behind me and I stop.

He catches up, standing in front of me like he’s not sure if he wants to cry or scream.

“You didn’t have to do that.”

I exhale, slow. “Yeah, I did.”

He swallows. “I’ve never heard anyone stand up to him like that. Not for me.”

“I should’ve done it a long time ago.”

“Why didn’t you?”

I run a hand through my hair. “Because every time I looked at you, I saw Mom.”

His face falls.

“You look like her,” I admit. “You have her eyes, her hair, her laugh. It hurt being around you after she left, because you reminded me of the version of the family we used to have, and then Angelique left too, and hearing you talk about her and her accomplishments in New York, I just couldn’t do it.”

Lando blinks fast, trying to hold the tears in. “Reign…”

“I was angry,” I say. “At her, and at you. Honestly, I was angry at everything, but none of that was your fault, and I’m sorry. I’m sorry for the distance I kept and for making you feel like I’d abandoned you, too.”

He nods slowly, his eyes glassy. “You really think I’m ready to help run Imperium?”

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