Chapter 14
June tried to apologize for bringing Arthur into the hotel.
I stopped her.
“You broke security.”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
She stared.
I clarified.
“Not generally.”
She almost smiled.
“You thought every official route was compromised.”
“Yes.”
“You were right.”
Her eyes filled.
That did not make what she did automatically wise.
But it made it understandable.
“Next time?”
She looked nervous.
“Call you directly.”
“Exactly.”
“I don’t have your number.”
That embarrassed me.
A longtime Savelli employee who cared for my daughter did not have a direct line to me.
Celeste did.
Nolan did.
Half the capos did.
June had to leave messages with household layers.
Another system built for rank rather than truth.
I changed it.
Staff responsible for Ava could reach me directly.
No permission.
No filtering.
Not because every complaint would be correct.
Because I wanted the chance to hear it before somebody else decided whether it mattered.
June remained in hotel service.
She refused promotion.
“I like my job.”
Good.
Not every loyal person needs a grand new title.
That mistake creates a different kind of hierarchy.
I gave her one thing instead.
Authority to stop any vehicle, event, transfer, or schedule involving Ava if she believed something was unsafe.
One older guard objected.
“A hotel employee can stop security?”
“Yes.”
“What if she’s wrong?”
“Then we lose five minutes.”
“And if she’s right?”
He looked away.
Exactly.
June heard about the rule and laughed.
“I’m going to abuse this.”
“I know.”
“First thing, Ava needs better snacks in the car.”
I stared.
“That is not security.”
“Low blood sugar.”
Apparently I had created a monster.
May you like
Ava approved.
Fair.
