Page 61 of Reign

I forward it back with three words.

Handle it tonight.

Then I check Elite.

The dashboard loads in dark gray and gold, clean and quiet, because I don’t tolerate ugly systems any more than I tolerate ugly rooms.

Revenue. Staffing. Security incidents. Guest approvals. Membership inquiries.

Nothing urgent.

One bartender resigned.

One preferred client requested a private room on short notice.

Two prospective members were declined after preliminary screening.

Good.

I scroll through the notes from management, skimming with half my attention while the storm taps against the glass.

Since I’ll be staying close to my sister, I need someone else handling the next round of membership reviews. I usually don’t involve myself unless a name matters, a risk appears, or someone’s money is trying too hard to open a door discretion should keep shut.

Elite does not survive because it’s exclusive.

It survives because it’s careful.

I select the newest inquiries and open the folder to assign them.

Seven new entries.

Most are predictable.

A banker with too much confidence and not enough restraint.

A couple from Coral Gables who will likely be approved after further vetting.

A man from Tampa whose answers are too polished to be honest.

I mark two for review, one for rejection, and one for Rafael to investigate more thoroughly.

Then I see the fifth inquiry.

Name: Lena A.

Subtle.

My gaze lingers anyway.

I click. The form opens.

Word of mouth.

New to this. Curious. Prefers discretion. Needs Choice. Interested in structure and control.

I read it once.

Then again.