Page 31 of Thiago (Family Ties #6)

Chapter Thirty-One

“ I should be back before midnight,” Thiago said, talking to India via Bluetooth as he flew back to the States.

He had spent the last couple of days in Colombia with his mother. He could have waited one more day but didn’t want to be apart from India for longer than necessary.

“It’s Friday night. You timed your return perfectly,” she purred.

He chuckled, relaxing into the seat. She was the first person he thought to call. She was the first person he thought of every morning when he woke up. If she wasn’t in his bed, he looked forward to catching a glimpse of her at work.

No doubt, he was definitely in love with her. But how did she feel?

“Thank you,” he murmured, accepting the bottled water the flight attendant handed him.

“So everything is all set for your mother?” India asked.

“For now. We’re going to keep a close eye on her, checking in more regularly to make sure she doesn’t fall for any of Marco’s sweet talking again.”

“Do you really think she would after what he put her through?”

“I’m not willing to take the chance. I believe she really cared about him, and she might be tempted to give in. If he or anyone else tries to take advantage of her, Bruno, Ignacio, and I will handle the situation.”

He and his brothers had pooled their resources, and every month they were going to deposit an allowance into the account he set up for Valentina. They had also paid off her mortgage, so she never had to worry about having a place to live.

“How did you get Marco to leave?” India asked.

“I asked nicely.”

“How did you really get him to go?” she asked with a laugh. “Your hands are lethal. You didn’t hit him, did you?”

“His friends were easier to get rid of. Money and threats worked fine, but Marco was insistent he loved my mother and didn’t want to leave.

I convinced him to go with a simple arm bar move, nothing fancy.

It’s a taekwondo hold. I caught his wrist and turned it just enough to lock the joint, then pressed down on his elbow.

He whined like a baby, and I was able to shove him through the door. We had the locks changed the same day.”

“I’m sure your mom was happy.”

“I’m glad I was able to help her,” Thiago said, but he wanted to say more.

India hadn’t had a chance to meet Valentina. His mother had slept late, and both he and India were gone to work before she woke up. At some point, he wanted India to meet her and the rest of his family.

When he landed, they needed to talk. Maybe not tonight because he’d be too tired, but tomorrow for sure.

The phone beeped in his ear, and when he looked at his phone, he saw the name Spencer Boyden on the screen.

“I have another call coming in. Business. I’ll see you later?” Thiago said.

“Yes, sir.”

He groaned. “Promise me you’ll say that when you’re under me.”

“I promise. Take your call, and hurry up and get here,” India whispered in a seductive voice.

There was a slight pause, and the words almost slipped from his lips— I love you . They seemed like the natural way to end the conversation.

“I’ll see you soon,” he said instead. He answered the other line. “Hello?”

“Hello, Thiago, how are you?”

The male voice belonged to Richmond Gallagher, a headhunter with Spencer Boyden, an executive recruiting firm out of New York.

Thiago couldn’t remember when exactly he had met Richmond.

Probably at a networking event. Over the years, he had learned that connections flourished when sweetened with generous incentives, so to get first dibs on top candidates, he gave Richmond perks, such as the occasional free vacation at one of his homes around the world and a regular supply of $500 bottles of Don Bene tequila.

Thiago ran his fingers through his hair and stifled a yawn. After dealing with his mother’s problems, for the first time in a long time, he was running on fumes. He didn’t think he had gotten more than four hours of sleep while in Colombia.

“I’m good. And you?”

“Fine and dandy. Happy summer’s almost here.”

“Do you have big plans?”

“My wife and I are taking the kids to Hawaii this year. She’s always wanted to go. You don’t happen to have a place there, do you?”

“No, I don’t. Why did you call?” Thiago sipped his water.

“Two reasons. Let me get the first one out of the way. I heard a rumor that you guys are going public. Is that true?”

Thiago bit back a sharp retort. Why couldn’t people keep their mouths shut?

The fact that Richmond, all the way up in New York, had heard rumors of them planning to issue an IPO meant the information had been leaked.

Many more people likely knew about their plans.

None of the other executives had mentioned staff asking about the IPO, and no one on the staff had approached him yet, but it was probably only a matter of time.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

Richmond laughed. “I understand, you have to keep your moves quiet until you’re farther along. Good luck with everything. Now for the second reason I called. Are you looking to fill any positions at the company?”

“Not at the moment, but if you have a good candidate, send over their CV like you always do, and I’ll hold on to their information for when there is an opening.”

“Really? You might have a vacancy soon enough, and I could help.”

Thiago frowned. What was he talking about? “If there’s someone you want me to look at, send their information.”

“It just so happens a great candidate came across my desk recently. Fantastic candidate with stellar credentials. I thought of you immediately, though she caught the eye of one of our other clients looking for a vice president of marketing,” Richmond said with meaning.

Thiago, who had barely been paying attention, froze.

He was giving Thiago a hint about India, but he had to be wrong. Why would she be looking for work outside of Santana International? She loved her job, and besides, he was at the company. They were lovers. Leaving the company meant leaving him, which would be a bitter, unexpected betrayal.

After a low chuckle, Richmond continued. “Between us, this candidate already has an offer on the table from a firm in Miami. Happened a week ago.”

Thiago’s ab muscles contracted. “When exactly did this amazing candidate submit her resume to your company in search of work?”

Richmond rustled some papers. “Back in… looks like March eighteenth,” he answered.

More than two months ago, and she never said a word.

Thiago was under the impression they had become closer and opened up to each other.

He’d shown her his watch collection, which many people might consider excessive, but he treasured it because of the history behind each piece.

He had shared his past and explained his family dynamics. He’d opened his home to her.

She had also opened up to him, telling him about the estrangement with her father and her struggles with lupus.

How could she not tell him she was looking for work?

More importantly, how could she not tell him she had been offered a job?

They spoke regularly and had spoken only moments before.

Did she intend to keep this a secret until the last minute?

She had also kept the continued contact from Simon a secret , a little voice whispered.

“Thank you, Richmond. This has been an enlightening conversation. I always appreciate you letting me know about the incredible pool of talented executives in your database.”

“I love my job bridging the gap between employers and employees. If what I hear about this candidate is true, I figured her current employer wouldn’t want to lose her. They might want to counter any offer she receives.”

“Yes, they might. I appreciate the call. I’ll send you a bottle of Don Bene on Monday.”

“Perfect. My in-laws are visiting next week, and a bottle of Don Bene will impress the hell out of my father-in-law. Appreciate it, hombre . Talk to you later.”

Thiago disconnected the call. Remaining very still, he kept going over the conversation in his mind and circling back to one glaring fact.

India was good at keeping secrets.