Page 102 of The Boss

“Yeah, I deserved that,” I reply.

He lets go of my shirt and runs a hand through his hair. Then he takes another shot at my jaw.

“What was that one for?” I ask.

“For sending me to Italy.” He gives me a sly smile.

“You just wanted to punch me again,” I smirk at him.

“Of course I did. You’ve been lying to her; who fucking does that? To their sister no less.”

I push him off me. “Can we please go back to talking about business?”

“Fine, but this conversation isn’t over yet,” he replies.

“I’d expect nothing less,” I reply.

FORTY-TWO

JULIET

Gino knows he fucked up. Big time. And I bet he’s getting absolutely cussed out by Mateo for one, letting Vanessa get involved, and two, hiding certain things during the process.

Vanessa dramatically plops down on the couch in the family room. “So, be real with me, Juliet. Did you know you found him and you all decided not to tell me?”

Shit.

I swallow. I turn to look over. “You can hate us, but Gino made the decision because he didn’t want you to get your hopes up if something happened.”

“My brother’s an asshole,” she says.

I laugh. “He’s just protective.”

“Uh huh, just like how he didn’t tell you he was paying for your bills for years.” She cocks an eyebrow at me.

Damn it. She’s got me there.

“He really needs to stop assuming everyone’s feelings,” she mumbles.

“I agree with that,” I say, nodding my head.

“Now that Mateo’s back, I am going to push as much as I can to get this business to move forward,” she says.

I snort. “Those two have said they want to start ‘Esposito Enterprises’ since they were twelve.”

“I’m sorry? We’re calling it Esposito Enterprises? That’s terrible. Do they have any creativity?” she asks sarcastically.

“You know those two are way too serious for that.”

She snorts. “That’s very true.”

“Hello, ladies,” my mother says as she walks into the room, my brother trailing behind her.

“Hey mom, hey Danny,” I say.

“So, do you want to get started?” Mom asks me.

“Yeah,” I reply.