42. Antonio

“Are you sure my granddaughter can’t come to London with me for a few days of shopping and spoiling?” my mother asks, for what must be the tenth time today. She’s too much.

It’s been wonderful having her here for the last ten days, but now that the festivities are over, it’s time for her to go home.

I’m not opposed to her taking Valentina with her either, so Daniela can have a few days to herself, and we can have some long, glorious nights without worrying if the bedroom door’s locked or whether we’re making too much noise. Not that I actually worry about any of those things. But it’s Daniela’s call.

“Not this time,” Daniela replies, again. “She’s already missed so much school because of the harvest.”

“The next long weekend then. Promise me.”

“I promise.”

“It was an amazing week,” my mother says. “Everything was perfect.”

Other than the first day. But we managed to keep it so quiet, even Lydia Huntsman didn’t get a whiff of it. Everyone from the outside who worked the events signed non-disclosure agreements, although the biggest deterrent from talking too much was not the threat of being sued, but the concern for their lives. And no one on my payroll would dare breathe a word.

“Your mother would have been so proud of you,” she murmurs to Daniela. “You did your parents proud, and your husband. I’m so proud of you—of you both,” she gushes, taking my hands.

My mother is five two on a good day, but she’s tough, and as much as it drives me crazy, at times, I’m happy that she lives life on her own terms.

“Antonio, I don’t always agree with your ways. They’re not befitting a modern leader. Daniela can enlighten you. You need to listen to her more.” She touches my cheek. “But even with that, I’m so proud of the man you’ve become, and the way you’ve shouldered immense responsibility. Although sometimes I worry the burdens are too much. That they keep you awake too many nights and rob you of all serenity.”

“I sleep just fine,” I assure her. Especially when my wife is in my arms.

“And don’t be so serious all the time. You’re so handsome when you smile.”

She turns to Daniela. “Make sure he finds time to play.

“Heavy hangs the head that wears the crown,” she whispers when I bend over to kiss her cheek. “Don’t be afraid to take it off from time to time—or forever, if that’s what your heart requires. Te amo, meu amor.”

“Cuidad,” I say to her. “Be careful. No unnecessary risks.”

I shake hands with her husband, Edward. “Take good care of her. She’s a handful. It’s not an easy job, but you’re the man for it.”

He smiles, putting his arm around my mother.

“Don’t be afraid to get in touch with me if she doesn’t cooperate.”

My mother starts to chastise me, when Rafael saunters into the foyer with a leather duffel bag. “I’m ready,” he announces to the room.

“Where are you going?” I ask, knowing full well.

“Back to London. I’m on break until my internship begins, and I intend to make the most of it.” He flashes Daniela a grin.

“You’re not going to London.”

“No?”

“We have a discussion to finish. You know, the one about following orders.”

My mother and Daniela glance at each other; Daniela winks and my mother rolls her eyes. Those two are trouble when they’re together, conspiring against me.

“This won’t take long,” Rafael says to Edward. “Is it possible to wait a few minutes? I have plans tonight in London. Besides, I rarely get to fly on Will’s plane. He has a flight attendant, Jana, who gives unbelievable—” He pales when he looks at my mother and Daniela, whose eyes are narrowed. “Foot rubs. She gives unbelievable foot rubs. Do you mind?”

“That won’t be necessary,” I tell Edward,before turning to Rafael. “Your plans will have to wait.”

“Oh, for God’s sake, Antonio,” my mother grouses. “Don’t be too hard on the boy. As I recall, you weren’t much for following orders, either.”

I raise my brow, to remind her not to undermine me with Rafael. She gets the message immediately, and doesn’t say another word.

After we say goodbye to my mother and Edward, I kiss Daniela on the cheek. “I’ll meet you upstairs when we’re through. We have a lot of catching up to do.”

“I hear you,” Rafael mutters. “And I understand coded language.”

For a moment he sounds like a sullen teenager, but it’s to be expected. He’s not much more than a teenager, and I did abruptly change his plans.

Daniela turns toward the stairs. “By the way, that’s not a foot Jana’s rubbing,” she whispers loudly to Rafa on her way past. “Have Antonio tell you about the birds and the bees.”

We’ve already had that talk. But I’ll add it to the list of uncomfortable things we’re going to chat about now.