Lara’s jaw falls open, and she looks aghast. “He’s married,SenhorAntonio. I have no relationship with him. We’re neighbors.”
“There are plenty of neighbors who enjoy all kinds of relationships.”
She sticks her chin out, ever-so-slightly. “I’m sure that’s true, but our relationship begins and ends as neighbors.”
Lara’s uncomfortable having her morality questioned, but there’s no outward sign she’s lying—she maintains eye contact, no tics, and her hands remain in her lap.
“While I’m doing the preliminary vetting for the position, my wife will make the final decision. I’m going to pass along your name to her, and someone will be in touch, if she’d like to meet you.”
“Thank you,” she says, standing.
“There’s one thing you should know before accepting a position in my household, should it come to that.” She peers at me with great intensity. I have her complete attention. “Any breach of loyalty, however inconsequential, will be punished. The consequences will be severe. And I’ll be the one to mete them out, not my wife. There are no second chances for traitorous infractions.”
She pales at my candor. Or maybe it’s my icy tone. I couldn’t care less. Everyone knows I don’t tolerate disloyalty from any Huntsman employee. But the closer you get to my inner sanctum, to my family, the higher the bar. I don’t care how long I’ve known her. If she betrays my trust, her blood will be washed into the storm drains of Porto like any other criminal.
She holds her head high. “My family has always been discreet and loyal to yours. And I have continued in their proud tradition.”
Then we’ll have no problems. “Good day, Lara. Send my regards to your parents.”
“Thank you for the opportunity. If I’m fortunate enough to get the position, you won’t be disappointed,” she says, before leaving.
I’m not entirely sold on her, but I wouldn’t be entirely sold on anyone who hadn’t already proved themselves. The true test of loyalty isn’t a few words spoken in a comfortable office. The true test, even for a person of good character, happens when money is short or when they feel they’ve been wronged, and someone comes along and waves a wad of cash at them or offers an opportunity for revenge with anonymity. That’s when the loyalists separate themselves from the traitors.
Lara didn’t give me any reason to withhold her name from Daniela, and she has a lot to offer. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll lower the boom.
27
DANIELA
The phone rings, and I know right away it’s Antonio. Other than Cristiano, he’s the only one who calls this number. I really don’t want to continue our discussion from last night, but I answer anyway.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning. How are you?”
“I’m well, thank you. And you?”
“You really are charming when you’re not beating on my chest.”
A warm flush creeps into my cheeks. I was exhausted last night—and I didn’t handle him very well. “Valentina and I were just going for a walk. Is there something you need?”
“Is she there with you now?”
I almost answeryes, just to save myself from whatever it is he’s going to say, but I don’t. I’ve lied to protect Valentina—and myself, at times—but I’m not a liar. “No. She went to get her sneakers.”
He pauses for a few seconds. “Isabel’s body arrived overnight. We’ll arrange a private funeral and burial. It’ll be a few days.”
Isabel’s body arrived overnight.I close my eyes while a fresh wave of sorrow engulfs me.
“Daniela?” he says gently, after some time passes.
“I’m here.” I take a breath and compose myself. “She didn’t have any family, but there are a few people from my father’s household who I would like to include.”
“Give Cristiano their names by the end of today. Everyone who gets within a block of Santa Maria’s will need to be fully vetted.”
Santa Maria’s?“Not Santa Maria’s,” I say, without thinking through the safety ramifications. “I want the funeral held at Santa Ana’s. The sanctuary wasn’t damaged. It was Isabel’s church when we were in Porto.” She loved Santa Ana’s. I want to do this for her.
“You don’t need to put yourself through a service at Santa Ana’s. A church is a church,” he says matter-of-factly. “God doesn’t discriminate between ornate churches and humble chapels.”