Page 11 of The Art of Ruin

“They will.”

He studies my face, then lifts both hands. “Fine. Boring legal chess it is.”

“Effective legal chess,” I correct.

“Still boring.”

Nico signs the page and passes it back. “We wait.”

Decision made.

The meeting moves on.

There are acquisition updates, compliance reviews, staffing changes at one of the hotels, and a minor issue with a councilman who has mistaken access for influence.

That one takes less than three minutes.

“No,” I say.

Matteo looks up. “That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

Nico doesn’t ask for more. He knows when I mean it, and though he’s the oldest, this is where I shine.

My phone lights up once during the next report.

A message from Isabella.

Mom says Letty lectured her about blue crayons for eleven minutes. You owe her wine.

I read it twice.

Then set the phone face down with a smile.

Later,between meetings, Nico closes the file in front of him. “Isabella’s mother can’t stay past the week.”

“I know. I’ve arranged for Casey to start next week.”

His eyebrows rise. “I thought you didn’t want Casey to be Letty’s nanny. What was it you said, too mouthy, too loud?”

I sigh and run my hands through my hair; it needs a cut. “And as Isabella pointed out, she’s extremely qualified and highly recommended.”

“When does she get here?”

“Friday.”

Four days.

Enough time to verify, review, replace if necessary. “I just hope it isn’t another mistake. Letty needs stability.”

Nico gives me a look. “Isabella vouched for her, and for the record, I like her. I wouldn’t let anyone near my niece if I didn’t trust her, and neither would Isabella.”

Their opinion carries a lot of weight. “I know. I still want to run some final checks.”

Matteo snorts. “Are you hiring a nanny or appointing her to the Supreme Court?”

I look at him. “You know what happened last time I wasn’t thorough.”