Ethan's POV
"Remind me why we let Griggs run point on the opening remarks," I whispered to Amara, while watching him shuffle his notes for the third time before the boardroom had even fully filled.
"Because he's been on this board for thirty years and the other members trust him," Amara said, not looking up from her own materials. "Which is exactly why we need him publicly on our side before this vote starts."
"He hates surprises."
"Then it's a good thing we haven't given him any." She finally looked up, steady, focused, every trace of last night's dinner exhaustion replaced by the particular calm she wore like armor whenever real stakes were on the table. "You ready?"
"Are you asking if I'm ready, or telling me to be?"
"A little of both."
The room filled quickly after that: twelve
