I kept my expression neutral. I knew what was coming.
"The company will survive," Xavier stated. "The recovery strategy is solid."
"The company will survive," Algerone agreed. "But not unchanged. Not under the same leadership." He paused. "After Macau, after Shaw is dealt with, I'm stepping down as CEO."
The silence that followed was absolute.
"And Xavier." Algerone's eyes found his eldest son. "I want you to take my place."
Silence fell across thedining table.
Xander recovered first, bracelets jangling as they leaned forward. "Plot twist! Dad retires; big brother takes the throne. Very dynastic of you."
"Is this because of Oklahoma?" Xion asked.
I shook my head. "Oklahoma accelerated the timeline, but this decision was made before Shaw decided to wage war with our technology."
I kept my eyes on Xavier, waiting for his response. He'd refused the position once before, when I lay in a hospital bed with tubes keeping me alive. Would he refuse again, or had the stakes shifted enough to change his mind?
Xavier set his wine glass down. A muscle tightened at the corner of his jaw, and his green eyes narrowed slightly as he weighed the offer. "You know I declined this offer once before."
"The board wasn't compromised then," I replied.
"True." He gave a slight nod, then straightened, shifting seamlessly into the authority I'd just offered him. "I accept with conditions."
Maxime's silverware clinked against his plate. The sound was a microscopic tell no one else would notice, but I caught the momentary lapse in his perfect control. His eyes met mine briefly across the table, dark pupils dilating despite his composed expression. My body reacted instantly to that subtle sign of distress, muscles coiling with the instinct to claim, to possess, to reassure what belonged to me. I forced my attention back to Xavier.
"Name them," I said.
"Complete operational autonomy. No interference, regardless of how my decisions might differ from yours." Xavier paused between sentences, keeping his tone level. "Including the authority to redirect Lucky Losers away from conventional weapons development toward AI and cybersecurity."
I nodded once. "Granted."
"A reformed board of directors. Seven of the twelve current members are compromised, either through Shaw's influence or their own ambition."
"You have someone in mind for replacements?" I kept my tone neutral, though his preparation impressed me. He'd been analyzing our board weaknesses long before tonight.
"Several candidates. Industry specialists in cybersecurity, quantum computing. People who understand where technology is actually headed." Xavier's fingers tapped once against the table in a restrained gesture that reminded me of Maxime. "The narrative of the transition will be critical. This wasn't a crisis-driven decision. This was a planned succession, with your oldest son already being groomed for leadership."
Across the table, Leo adjusted his glasses and exchanged a glance with Xavier that suggested prior discussions.
"We'll create the necessary documentation to support this narrative," Xavier continued. "Board minutes showing my observer status at meetings. Strategic memos with my input dating back months. A gradual introduction to key Pentagon contacts. The markets respond to perception, not reality."
"Strategic," I acknowledged, filing the information away. "The Pentagon appreciates continuity narratives."
"Speaking of transition," Xavier said, and his gaze shifted to Maxime, who sat with perfect posture despite the seismic shift happening around him. "I propose a one-year arrangement for Mr. St. Germain."
Maxime's spine straightened slightly. "I serve at the pleasure of the CEO. If that's Xavier, then—"
"You misunderstand," Xavier interrupted, surprising me with his directness toward Maxime. "Your institutional knowledge is invaluable. I propose a twelve-month transition period during which you train your staff to perform your functions. After that, you remain available as a consultant. Same compensation, but freed from the twenty-four-seven obligation that has defined your role."
Maxime's face revealed nothing as Xavier spoke, but his throat moved in a single swallow. Years of service had just been redefined in a single dinner conversation. The memory of his throat beneath my hand surfaced unbidden, along with the realization that the marks I'd left there had faded too quickly. That was a problem to be solved later. He was mine, always mine, regardless of corporate structures.
"That's generous," Maxime replied.
"It's practical," Xavier corrected. "Your expertise doesn't vanish because of past complications between us."
Maxime nodded once and adjusted his tie.
