It’s so Antonio, always needing control, but there’s no menace in his voice.
“I’m surprised that you’re surprised.”
“Ahhh, that mouth.”
My cheeks hurt from the stupid grin I’ve been wearing since the moment I heard his voice.
“I hope you don’t think the extra people in the house will stop me. I’m hungry for you. Starving.”
“I was gone two nights.” But I’m starving for him, too.
“Two nights too many.”
“Alexis is only here by a small miracle.”
“I’m aware. Her father already called. I’m glad he let her come. It’ll be good for Valentina to have someone her age to hang around with at the feast.”
“It will be.” I remember how my friends and I stalked Antonio at every feast. But even so, I wouldn’t mind palling around alone with her for a bit tomorrow while Antonio is getting ready for the regatta.
“Maybe Lara can stay with the girls tonight while you and I sneak over to the early festivities,” he suggests. “If you’re good, I’ll even buy you a slice of St. John’s cake.”
“Lara isn’t at work. She has some kind of flu.”
“Flu? In the middle of the summer?”
“I don’t know. Why do you always question everything everyone says?”
“Because people are liars.”
I roll my eyes. “For such a beautiful man, you have such a suspicious nature.”
“It’s why I’m still breathing.”
His words send a shiver up my spine. “Maybe Rafael will babysit.”
“Not a chance. Rafael is going barhopping with the crew tonight. I guarantee he’ll be taking full advantage of his status.”
This is Rafael’s first year as part of the crew. He meets all the requirements. He’s old enough, and he’ll be working for Antonio this fall. Rafael is doing an internship at Huntsman Port as part of his school curriculum. He’ll be looking at ways Huntsman can better position itself in the market. In other words, he’ll be critiquing Antonio’s business decisions.What I wouldn’t give to be a fly on the wall during that debriefing.
“Why aren’t you going out with the crew?”
“They’ll be chasing women all night. And I have a beautiful young bride and far better ways to spend my evening.”
69
ANTONIO
While I’m on the phone with Carvallo, one of the members of the Douro Port Wine Foundation, Lucas passes me a note.Fedorov’s shipment just entered Spanish waters.
“Any problems?” I ask Lucas, after I finish telling Carvallo that I have no idea where Tomas is, and I highly doubt it’s anything nefarious.
“Not in Portugal.”
I send Fedorov a text.The shipment went through with no problems. Time to pay up.
Fedorov:I’ll send him to you on a silver platter. Give me twenty-four hours.
Me:Not a fucking second more.