“Cristiano told me that Dr. Zambrano had advised you to take a month off. Then Victoria said you thought I asked Tomas to run the company because I didn’t trust you.”
“Umm, yes?”
“No,” she says fiercely. “I thought Tomas would take some of the strain off you. I thought he could run the company until you were ready.”
“You were wrong.”
“I realize that now.” Her lips twist. “Tomas is unhappy. You’re unhappy. And all I want is for my family to be happy. The company, it is nothing.”
“It’s a multi-billion-dollar corporation that employs thousands of people, but okay.”
She makes a dismissive sound. “What does the company matter compared to your health?” she demands. “Your father died, and I thought. . .” Her voice trails off. “Never mind what I thought. When Cristiano called me, I realized I could lose you, too. And I’m not going to do that.” She squeezes my shoulder. “What do you want, Damien?”
“I want a free hand.”
“It’s yours. Tomas is stepping down next year. The CEO job is yours if you want it.”
“I want it, on one condition. No more protecting people like Ted Boric.”
“Done.” A smile flickers on her face. “Did I tell you Tomas took me to a yoga retreat?”
“You didn’t, but he did. I asked him how many people you strangled when you realized you didn’t have Internet access, but he promised you enjoyed it.”
“Strangely, I did.” She’s quiet for a long time. “We’re going to take an around-the-world cruise, Tomas and I. The one your father and I never got a chance to take.”
“Good,” I tell her sincerely.
“It’s a six-month cruise,” she continues. “The ship sails just after Christmas. Six months at sea, with very limited access to my email. I will either become a changed woman, or I will go crazy. If you hear about a homicide at sea, that's probably me.” She gives me a wry smile. “That’ll give you time to implement the changes you want without me getting in the way.”
She bends down and kisses my cheek. “Cristiano tells me that you, Julian, and Sophia are what he called a throuple.”
I search her face. “Is that what they’re calling it these days?”
“So it appears.” Her lips curve up into a smile. “Both Julian and Sophia have spent every spare moment this last week at the hospital. I look forward to getting to know them better. Bring them home for Christmas.”
“Yeah, that’s not going to happen. Julian’s sister is getting married here on Christmas Day. He’s not going to miss the wedding.”
“A Christmas wedding?” She sniffs disapprovingly. “What a ridiculous idea. Still, what can you do? Bring them home for New Year.”