“She’s opening a foundation for youth to help them start businesses. It’ll be in your name. I think it’s a great idea, Dad, and I’m going to endorse it.”
Arthur smiled. “My name lives on, huh? Well, I suppose that’s something. We need more business-minded people.” His smiled slipped. “I missed my chance to be happy again with her. But your mother was—is—by far the most exceptional of women.”
Daemon smiled. “I know, Dad.”
“Like Zuri.”
His father was right; if he didn’t have so much work to do, Daemon would’ve buckled under the weight of unfulfilled desire. Daemon leaned over his father and kissed him on the forehead. “Rest now, Dad. We’ll get you some lunch soon.”
“You know I can’t eat. My body is eating itself.”
“Rest.”
“Daemon!” Arthur rasped. Daemon turned from the door. “You’re a good son. The best.”
“I’m your only son.”
“And I’ve never wanted another. I’m proud of you.”
“I love you, Dad. Rest.”
“I love you too, son. And I can’t wait.”
Daemon shut the door and sank to the floor. He stifled a cry of pain as he gathered his knees to his chest, hugged his legs, and buried his face. He hadn’t cried this much since his mother’s passing. He had wasted too much time not reaching his father sooner. He didn’t want to die with any regrets.
And if he didn’t get Zuri, he’d regret it for the rest of his life.
CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
Bendola
Zuri inhaled but didn’t release her sigh. Her gaze roamed over the men and women seated at the conference table in her meeting room at the presidential palace. People endlessly talked over one another, trying to determine the best way for their government to move forward on several industry contracts to rebuild Bendola.
Since the election, it had been nothing but daylong arguments with little agreement on anything. Too many sectors of the government had been ignored by President Gohi or not created, and all of them were competing for priority. If it weren’t for the aid of their neighbors and other countries around the world, people would call for another election to get rid of her.
Today, several industries wanted priority. The government implemented communication contracts a couple of months ago and the financial sector months before that. Tourism wanted action, but Zuri couldn’t ignore the mining of natural resources. Money would flow into the government that could be distributed to other services that desperately needed attention, like transportation and education. A number of companies had presented enticing proposals over the last several months. They wanted answers. Who would win?
Zuri looked down at the papers in front of her. On top was the full list of companies vying for mining contracts and a summary of their bid. Zuri pictured the preserve Daemon’s mother founded. How the preservation of land and animals had been so important to her. None of the companies had a mission statement built on the ethical treatment of Bendola’s land and unique species of animals, although she didn’t believe they would intentionally harm them. She’d heard of the growing human rights concerns behind cobalt mining on the continent and she didn’t want Bendola to be known as a state that makes slaves of its own people for profit.
But Bendola needed more money—and fast. Gohi and his wealthy friends had stripped the country. Basic services were hard to afford and Bendolans were restless for change they could feel in their day-to-day lives.
Her assistant exited the room quickly and then reentered a few seconds later. She came to the table and leaned in close to speak to Zuri. “You have a visitor, ma’am.”
“Who?” Zuri whispered back. She didn’t care. Anything to get a respite from the arguing would be welcome.
“I was told not to say.”
Zuri stiffened. Every morning, she received an official briefing from David about the state of her country’s security. Included in that briefing were all the known and potential threats to her life. He was trying to put the fear of God in her about being assassinated, so she’d take fewer risks with her life. Her protection was his top priority. She suspected Daemon had asked him to do that. Her ex-bodyguard would’ve made David promise nothing would ever happen to her or he’d come back and haunt him from the grave.
Zuri’s eyes stung. She never got to tell the only man she had ever loved how much she truly loved him. And now he was gone.Eight months.Grief had to be shared with building a nation. During the day, she was Madam President. Every night, she cried herself to sleep because of the intense loneliness she felt without her father and Daemon. She blinked a few times. No tears in front of her staff. They deserved a strong, capable ruler immune to the pressures of emotion.
She couldn’t take any more risks, or she’d lose another person close to her. Who would it be this time? Her assistant? David?If security allowed this visitor into the palace, then they must’ve cleared all security protocols.
“Have my visitor wait in the sitting room. I’ll be there in a minute.”
After telling the leaders to continue hashing their problems with the contracts out, she headed to her sitting room. Was it Aya?
Within a week of taking the capital, she had visited Joqi’s grave. His wife, Aya, and the children met her and they shared tears and fond memories. Aya had insisted she no longer held any bitterness toward Zuri or Bayo for her husband’s death. Zuri believed they had parted as friends and Aya promised to visit the capital.
