‘There’s something not right about him,’ he says quietly.
Lachlan rolls his eyes, thinks it a little late to notice that about the old man.‘Those children are mineto manage.I’ll work with you, I respect you, but if you overstep, I won’t hesitate to act.’
Fenwick stiffens.‘I run this household.’
‘The children aremineto manage,’ Lachlan repeats, steps closer but Fenwick doesn’t budge.‘Shall we seek clarification from Penhalyx himself?’
He waits it out.Fenwick eventually breaks first, lips in a thin line.‘No.’
‘Then don’t push it,’ Lachlan warns him, which is admirable considering the rage he feels inside, how badly he wants to crack a bone, earn thecrunchof a good, thick snap.He misses it sometimes the way he misses the heroin they used during tolerance conditioning.‘Nothing about the way this place operates is normal.Iknowyou don’t like it, but it’s how it has to be.’
‘You’rereplaceable, Tanner.’
Lachlan’s eyes move between Fenwick’s.
‘So was your predecessor.’
?
Lachlan is brought into Penhalyx’s office for a video call.
Fenwick oversees at first with his two assistants, also male, also military.Alistair is giving a more detailed rundown of the party, attendees, wait staff, all of which indicate an enormous bump in necessary security.Lachlan doesn’t like any part of it because he knows he’ll need to hire new people and there won’t be time for Carrigan to weed out loyalty, among other things.
It puts their bubble under stress.
It’s a security nightmare and Lachlan knows it instantly.The Estate is too high-value, too exposed, too important for this many people, but Penhalyx dismisses the concern outright, reminding him they threw a similar party for Jules’ seventeenth last year without issue.Fenwick and Lachlan give a thoroughly tactical rundown of necessary arrangement and security needs.Alistair refuses Lachlan’s request to cut off general access to the East Wing, says he might like to show hisfriendsaround.It makes Lachlan’s skin crawl even while he mentally plans to accommodate the safety of all.
When given the opportunity, Lachlan is quick to ask, ‘May I request clarification about the children’s performance, sir?’
‘You may,’Penhalyx grants,‘although performance is perhaps not the word.Simply… engagement.I want to show off my beautiful children, especially Julian.’
Yes, Lachlan had already gathered that, but Mimi’s attendance makes him uncomfortable in ways he wouldn’t dare speak aloud, especially not in front of Fenwick.‘Anticipating their safety as always, sir, I wanted to ask how long you would like them to attend?’
‘I’ll let you know when they may retire.’
Lachlan wants further clarification, but Fenwick steps in quickly.‘Sir, in the event of a situational crisis, I need to know—’
‘Let’s soften the tone of that request, shall we?’the old man intones pleasantly, but Fenwick falls quickly silent.‘Try again.’
‘Apologies, sir.I would very much like to know who has authority when it comes to the children.’
‘In what terms?’
‘Overall.’
‘Lachlan has authority in every circumstance unless he breaks any of his contractual obligations or agreements.’
Fenwick’s frown deepens.‘So in an emergency, I’m to defer to him?’
‘About matters regarding the children, absolutely.’
‘If he disagrees with a specific tactic—’
‘Fenwick, I was assured that weak judgment was not among your deficiencies, so if you find yourself unable to defer appropriately within a hierarchy already made explicit, that places your suitability in great doubt.Understand that while the Estate and its governance are obviously important, the management of my children is paramount, and any failure to operate in seamless accord with this paradigm will constitute failure to comply.’
Fenwick straightens.‘Understood, sir.’
‘I expect both of you to coordinate flawlessly.’
