Jacki put her cup down. "My background has little to do with what I'm doing these days, which is managing our charitable organization." She smiled. "Lately, I've been busy restructuring our charity to maximize government funding streams."
Fenella raised an eyebrow. "That sounds complicated."
"It is," Jacki said. "But fascinating once you understand the system. Our foundation, which primarily focuses on rehabilitation services for trafficking survivors, was funded primarily by the clan and Kalugal's contributions. The funds collected through charity galas and the like were not substantial. Now we get millions in government grants and subsidies."
"I had no idea the government provided that much support," Fenella said.
"Most people don't." Jacki's eyes lit up. "There are dozens of federal and state programs with overlapping mandates, each with its own funding streams. The trick is knowing how to position your services to qualify for multiple sources without violating any regulations."
"It sounds like a system that could be easily abused," Fenella said.
"Oh, it absolutely is," Jacki agreed. "The amount of fraud is staggering. Organizations claiming to provide services they never deliver, inflating client numbers, misappropriating funds for administrative 'overhead' that somehow includes the CEO's vacation home, mega-yacht, private jet, and so on. But in our case, one hundred percent of the money goes directly to benefit survivors. I don't even take a salary."
"Did you study nonprofit management?" Fenella asked.
Jacki laughed, the sound both rueful and proud. "I didn't attend university at all. I grew up in the foster care system, bouncing between homes until I aged out at eighteen. Street smarts were my education." She took a sip of her coffee. "Ella—Julian's wife—is the one with the formal education in nonprofit administration. She handles the paperwork and compliance. But all the monetary shenanigans?" She tapped her temple. "Those were my ideas."
Kalugal's arm slid around his wife's shoulders, his expression adoring. "Jacki's the real genius in the family."
"Stop it," Jacki protested. "I'm like a bulldog with a bone when I'm on a mission, but I don't come close to your intellect." She turned to Fenella. "Kalugal speaks seventeen languages fluently and can calculate orbital mechanics in his head."
Fenella chuckled. "I don't even know what that means."
Should she feel inadequate?
Well, of course. Compared to these two geniuses, she was an average nobody.
Her greatest accomplishment was mixing killer drinks.
"I can show you some of the artifacts while we wait for the others." Kalugal rose to his feet once they were done with their coffees. "I keep most of my finds in the vaults, but I have a few things on display around the house."
As they followed their hosts, Din leaned close to Fenella's ear. "Those two have a mutual admiration club," he whispered, his breath warm against her skin.
Fenella stifled a laugh and leaned to whisper back, "It's kind of adorable." She paused, then added with a mischievous smile. "I think you're a genius, too. No one can grill a perfect steak like you do."
Din's eyes widened in mock surprise before they both dissolved into quiet laughter, drawing curious glances from their hosts.
Once they surveyed the few pieces scattered along the hallways, they returned to the dining room.
"Who else is coming?" Fenella helped herself to a glass of cucumber water from a carafe on the sideboard.
"The Clan Mother, of course," Jacki said. "Kian and Syssi, Amanda and Dalhu, Alena and Orion, Max and Kyra, Jasmine and Ell-rom, Morelle and Brandon. I hope they bring the kids."
Fenella smiled. "Yeah, me too. I would love to get to know Allegra. She seems like a character."
"She definitely is." Jacki poured herself a glass. "Darius adores her."
"Where is he?" Fenella asked.
"With Shamash. He'll bring him later." She leaned against the sideboard. "Shamash used to be Kalugal's butler of sorts, more like a personal assistant, but he turned out to be so good with Darius that he's our nanny now."
Fenella couldn't imagine a former Doomer as a babysitter, but if Jacki was comfortable leaving her baby boy with the guy, he had to be a good person.
