Chapter 7 - COLIN'S MISTAKE
Colin Barrett had worked private security for twelve years.
He knew better than to use force for embarrassment.
So why did he?
Because Isabella had been giving security instructions for months.
Not formal ones.
Social ones.
“Move that guest.”
“Tell them not to photograph here.”
“Make that vendor leave.”
Most were harmless.
Dante never corrected the pattern.
So Colin began treating Isabella’s preferences as authority.
That was the failure.
Elena later met Colin with a security supervisor present.
He had bruised ribs.
No fracture.
“I’m sorry I grabbed you.”
Elena nodded.
“I’m sorry I put you through furniture.”
He laughed.
Then stopped because his ribs hurt.
“That was impressive.”
“That was stupid.”
He looked surprised.
Elena continued:
“I had options.”
“You had about half a second.”
“I had training.”
She knew exactly how dangerous uncontrolled impact could be.
The table broke favorably.
He could have hit the edge badly.
She did not romanticize it.
Neither did Dante.
Colin received retraining, not firing.
The security policy changed:
Only designated security leadership could authorize physical removal absent immediate danger.
Future spouses did not count.
May you like
Neither did family members.
Power became written instead of assumed.
