Page 19 of Lorenzo & Lily

“Excellent. I’ll let Adrian handle that one,” Dante said, referring to one of his business partners.

“Bernadette would be more ruthless,” Lorenzo said, referring to Adrian’s wife.

“You know, you’re exactly right. Why you’d suggest I send someone more ruthless, though, is beyond me.”

“Ruthless is much more fun.”

“I suppose it is.”

“You have some more time? I wanted to discuss some scenarios with you, in case the strike happens. I don’t want any of the workers to suffer and I’ve got some backup plans in place.”

“You said it wasn’t likely to happen.”

“I still believe that, but I’m going to be prepared if it does.”

“I have time. What backup plans?”

“The union should be able to sustain a strike salary – which is about one-fourth or one-third of a worker’s normal salary – for all workers for approximately two months. Realistically, however, I think they won’t be able to do more than a few weeks, maybe a month at best.”

He pulled out a glossy brochure and opened it so that it faced Dante; it outlined one of the first programs he’d established at the MARC. “Alumni of the MARC, however, would be eligible for disaster payments, in addition to their abbreviated union salary. It’s a program I set up to help those who serve and their families, should natural disasters strike. I also made sure other events – such as a worker’s strike – could be used to claim funds. It won’t cover all of their salaries; even with the union chipping in, it will barely cover half their normal salary, but I think it’s better than nothing.”

Dante pursed his lips while he considered. “That would only help a portion of my workers. Not to mention, you’re talking about Vallerian unions. My workers are part of an Italian union, though some live and work here in Valleria.”

“If they came through the MARC, we can help them regardless of their union. Anyone else, however, would need to seek help through your company and the Italian union representatives.”

Dante frowned and nodded. “Yes. I’ll have to think about this. I’m sure there is something I can do. Is your family’s company compensating its workers in any way?”

Lorenzo shook his head. “Unfortunately, there’s little we can do. Santoro Shipping is unique, as its primary purpose is to ship supplies – medicine, food, and the like – to areas in need. It’s strictly a not-for-profit charity venture. Trickier still is the royal element to it all; we need to show we care for our workers yet, if we try to help them, we’re blasted by others who try to paint us as a monarchy who hates business, or worker protections, or something else.”

“Do you think your meeting today will yield any results?”

“Truthfully, I doubt it, but it can’t hurt to try.”

Lorenzo’s phone rang once again from Rio. “Your ten o’clock is here, Captain.”

“Thanks. Give me a minute, then send them back.” Lorenzo hung up and turned back to Dante. “Sorry we can’t catch up more, my friend.”

Dante stood and held out a hand, which Lorenzo shook. “Soon. We’ll bring the families down for a holiday.”

“Masillia is lovely at Christmas, you know.”

Dante smiled and walked to the door. “We usually stay at a villa in the Italian Alps, a sort of tradition now.”

“New Year’s then?”

“I’ll run it by the others.”

If only his brothers could break away from their preconceived ideas about him, maybe they’d see how much he could handle. If they ever gave him a chance, he could prove just how much he was capable of doing, and doing well. Maybe he couldn’t prove that to them today, but with his Lilys moving in soon, he’d have to make sure they recognized his competence.

They shook hands again and bid farewell just as Lorenzo’s next appointment walked down the hall. Lorenzo took a deep breath, pasted a smile on his face, and focused on the next issue at hand.

---