Nick.
I didn’t say his name.
“We need an external assessment,” I said. “Destination security architecture. Digital-to-physical vulnerability review. Manifest and transfer protocols. Vendor credential standards. Staff escalation training.”
Gabe nodded. “Yes.”
“Limited scope at first. Remote audit if possible. Site review if needed. Gabe remains internal lead.”
His shoulders lowered by a fraction. Good.
Summer watched me. “External. Anyone in mind, Jules?”
“Formal proposal. Conflict disclosed before contact. You review before anything goes out.”
Brynn’s eyebrows rose. “Are we talking about the African ranger with the post-orgasm punctuation?”
I looked down at the agenda. “I have someone in mind who fits the role perfectly, which is an administrative nightmare becauseI have seen him naked. Repeatedly. The ethics committee and I are currently not on speaking terms.”
Daisy’s pen froze.
Rayann smiled from Rome. “Extensively, I assume.”
I lowered my forehead to the agenda for one brief, professional second.
“This meeting has lost focus.”
“No, big sister. It has absolutely found focus,” Brynn said.
Emme covered her mouth with one hand. Annie glanced at Daisy’s notes.
“Do not write ‘naked candidate,’” Annie said, her pen hovering over her legal pad. “Label him ‘Asset with Significant Physical Exposure.’ It’s more accurate and less likely to trigger an HR audit.”
Daisy’s pen hovered. “Already abbreviated.”
“Still no.”
Summer’s expression remained responsible, which was unacceptable under the circumstances. “Is he qualified?”
“Annoyingly.”
Gabe looked between us. “Reserve security?”
“Head of security at Mara Khaya. Ex-military. Field-based crisis response. Route planning. Guest containment. Staff coordination. Active incident management.” I paused. “His current contract ends in about three months.”
Rayann’s gaze sharpened. “Conveniently convenient.”
“Professionally relevant,” I said.
Brynn made a sound into her coffee. “Sure.”
I closed the folder in front of me. “We are not laundering my personal life through procurement.”
“Repeatedly,” Rayann said.
“This meeting remains professional under protest.”
Brynn made a small sound.
