Page 101 of The Boss

“I mean… okay, I guess. But why didn’t anyone tell me before I got here? Seeing them for the first time was a shock,” he says.

“Because Vanessa was texting you every day with updates. We all knew that. I didn’t want her to stop because it helped her cope. So I didn’t say anything,” I tell him.

“Did she know you found me when you did?”

“No. I didn’t want her stressing, waiting up all night for you. It was hard on her. She came here every day like clockwork. She looked for you every day with me. Spent more time in this office than I wanted her to.”

“Who had her text me every day? Was that you?” he asks.

“No. One of her friends from the hospital suggested it,” I begin explaining. “It helped her sanity. Trust me. The first few days after she found out she was pregnant, she’d just stand there staring at the driveway, waiting for you to pull up. She quit her job at the hospital so she could be home as much as possible, just in case you showed up. When she realized it wasn’t going to happen like it does in the movies, she poured herself into finding you. She stayed focused. Dedicated. Up until two days ago, she sat in that chair you’re in right now, going over every piece of information I’d give her, trying to pull it apart.”

“She did all that?”

“Yeah. And she made sure everything was ready for the second you got home.”

“What do you mean?” he asks.

“Your office. Food. Anything she could control. It really fucked with her, man, you being gone. Having something ready for you helped her cope, especially when I never had updates. Even after the twins were born, she spent hours doing it. Talking to them about you. Holding onto you any way she could. It messed with her head. So you need to take care of her. Make sure she’s okay.” I don’t beg him to because I know he will.

“Did she ever tell you any of this?”

“No. Juliet and Alonso noticed what was happening at your place and told me. We didn’t confront her. We just asked around, subtly. She confirmed it,” I tell him.

I meet his gaze. “Just watch out for her.”

“You had Alonso watching her?” he questions.

“Yeah. Why not?” I reply.

“Just an interesting choice. You don’t usually let him do things on his own.”

“He’s done plenty on his own. But he was the one I knew would be a friend to her. No jokes. No bullshit. Just support,” I tell him.

“Yeah. Good choice.”

“You know I run things around here, right?” I smirk.

“Barely,” he shoots back.

I sigh. “I’m sorry,” I start. “I should have worked harder to get you back. I should have sent more people there, and should have worked harder.”

“You don’t need to apologize to me about that,” he says.

“Yes, I do. I also need to apologize for the lying and the secrets. I fucked up big time.”

“No shit, asshole. You lied to your sister, my wife, and you think it was going to help you?”

“I thought I was doing the right thing.”

“You’re joking?” he says with furrowed brows. “You lied to her. Why? To protect her? You realize you could have done more damage than good; you understand that, right?” He gets up and stands, crossing his arms.

I lean back and run a hand down my face.

We’re in a standoff. He moves to lean against the bookshelf in my office.

Getting up from my chair, I walk closer to him. He lunges at me and pushes me, pinning me against the wall. Then he swings, and he gets a direct shot at my jaw.

“That’s for lying to my wife,” he growls.