43. Antonio

“There are a lot of hoops to jump through, but I’m trying to put some things in place with regard to Premier,” I explain to Rafael once we’re in my office with the door closed. “As far as I’m concerned, the company belongs to you.”

He puts up both hands. “Not interested. If you want it, be my guest.”

I’m not going to argue with him. He’s going to cut his teeth on it, during his internship, and if it’s not for him, fine. But he’s a kid and he’s not throwing it away to avoid painful memories of his family that he hasn’t fully worked through.

“I’ll oversee the transition until you’ve had time to think about it,” I tell him. “But I want you involved in some of the decision-making during your internship.”

He peers at me, eyes wide. “You’re kidding.”

“Have you ever known me to be a big kidder?”

He shrugs.

“No. You haven’t, because I’m not. If you don’t want the company, I’ll buy it from you. No one’s asking you to dedicate your life to Port. But you don’t make any decisions now. Not until some time has passed. You just learned about your mom’s death,” I add gently. “It’s not the time to make a big decision.”

“I’m not going to change my mind,” he replies, like the stubborn jackass he can be.

It runs in the family.

“I’m not changing my mind, either. About any of it. Premier will be part of your portfolio during the internship.” I don’t give him an inch of wiggle room.

He throws up his hands. “You’re the boss. I’ll be working for you.”

“When you show up for your first day of internship, I highly recommend you bring a better attitude. Otherwise, it’s going to be a long, painful experience for you. Don’t think I’m above giving you a failing grade.”

He glances up at me. A failing grade on his internship means he doesn’t graduate with his class. Rafael knows from experience I rarely issue a threat I won’t make good on. It would kill me, but I’d do it if I thought it was the right thing for him.

“Are we done?” he asks, standing.

“We’re just getting started. Put your ass back in the chair.”

He sits, reluctantly, but he does it. Rafael wants to please me. I’m always humbled by that, even during tense discussions like this one. “You disobeyed a direct order after the regatta.”

Rafael sighs. “We’ve been over this.” He doesn’t apologize, which is just as well, because he’s not sorry.

“There were a handful of young soldiers who left the pier where they were ordered to protect Daniela, to come to my rescue, like you did. There will be consequences for all of you.”

He sticks his chin out. “What exactly do these consequences entail?”

“They entail spending the next month up north, reviewing some basic training and helping to winterize one of our vineyards. The training will be familiar to the soldiers, because they’ve already had it. While you’ve also had a fair amount of training, it wasn’t like this.”

Rafa drums his fingers on the arm of the chair. He’s nervous. Despite his bravado and carefree attitude, Rafael’s not a huge risk taker. He’s great with people, but he has dyslexia, which can sometimes pose challenges. What I have planned for him is not anything he can’t handle in that regard, but there will be a lot of time for reflection, and that might be the most challenging aspect for him.

“I had plans for the time before my internship. Plans that don’t just involve me.”

“You might have to disappoint some people.”

I can see the anger building.

“You’re making me go to some remote area up north for a month to get my ass kicked every day, instead of a little R and R that I worked hard for?”

I shake my head. “I’m not making you do anything. This is your choice, son. You can’t make a man be a good soldier, or a good leader. You can only give him opportunities to grow and develop.”

He snatches a paperweight off my desk and tosses it from one hand to the other. “And that’s what this is? An opportunity?”

“Men who lead need to learn to follow first. Men who follow need to know that their leader earned his way, and that he’s deserving of their loyalty. Leaders ask others to make sacrifices. Good leaders understand what those sacrifices cost. I’m not talking about giving up a few weeks at the beach, chasing pussy. I’m talking about real sacrifice. So yes, this is an opportunity.”

He puts the paperweight back. “Forget me for a minute. Soldiers went to your rescue, and you’re punishing them? Are they good soldiers—or are they just expendable, so you don’t care about dumping them up north for a month?”

“Soldiers aren’t expendable, Rafael. These are good men, capable, but young and not as disciplined as they need to be, for their own safety as well as for those around them. They’re also getting an opportunity. If I didn’t think they had the highest potential, I wouldn’t bother.”

He swallows hard and nods.

I might have actually gotten through to him. But before he can respond, there’s a knock at the door.

Bad timing.“What is it?”

“We have some news on our missing oligarch,” Cristiano says from the doorway.

“Rafael and I are almost finished. I’ll text you when we’re through, and we can meet in here.”

“Oligarchs?” Rafael asks. “Anything to do with the hitman?”

I don’t tell him to mind his business, because this is his business.

“We’re looking for a connection.”

He nods.

“The helicopter leaves in an hour, if you’re going.”

“That doesn’t exactly leave much time to pack.”

“You’re not going to war…you don’t need to get your affairs in order. Everything you need will be provided for you—right down to your underwear. All you need to bring is a change of clothing for the return trip.”

“I don’t suppose I can take electronics?”

Maybe I was wrong before. This might be the most challenging part of the month. “Not even your phone.”

He blows out a breath.

“It’s your choice, Rafael. It won’t change anything between us.”

“You know damn well I don’t like it, but I’m going, Antonio.”

I never had a moment’s doubt he’d go, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not proud of him. “Listen, I know this isn’t what you expected. But I won’t be around forever. You’re next in line.”

He peers at me with a straight face, but I see the surprise in his eyes.

“There’s no better man I know to take the reins than you. I have complete faith in you, Rafael. But you’re young, and impulsive, and headstrong—those qualities can get you into trouble. I know from my own experience.”

“This conversation is taking a turn I don’t care for. I’m happy to go to camp for a month in the middle of fucking nowhere, but you better not be going anywhere, old man, because I’m not ready to take any reins. I have a lot more foot rubs in my future before that happens.”

I massage my temples. This is Rafael’s way of dealing with his fear of abandonment. His father did a number on him before he came to live here. I blame his brother, too. I hope the devil prepared a special place in hell for them.

“Why are you still here?” I ask. “Get going. Your ride leaves in an hour. Find me before you leave,” I tell him as he strolls out of my office.