Page 120 of The Boss

“Sophie said someone dropped off flowers at your house that were for Juliet,” Ryan chimes in. “She drove them here a few months ago, and before you get upset with her, she thought she was helping.”

“How did she learn how to drive?” he asks.

“I taught her,” Ryan cuts in. “Did you send the flowers?”

“No,” he replies.

“Why did you try to help?” I ask.

“I’d known you all for a while,” John admits. “I helped your dad out in the past, and he asked if there was anything I could do to help you with your business, to do that. And I thought I could help with some of my contacts, but nothing panned out; that’s why I stopped. As far as the threatening ones, I have no clue who it would be, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that was someone working with Lorenzo.”

“Why wouldn’t you say anything to Ryan? He’s your son,” I query.

I’m not surprised this man knew my father, but why wouldn’t he say something to his own son?

“I didn’t realize he was my son until after I started digging into things to help,” John says.

“So you lied when you contacted me?” Ryan questions.

John rubs his hands down his face. “Yes.”

“Is there anything that you’ve been telling the truth about?” I ask.

He doesn’t answer, which is an answer enough.

I’m pretty sure Ryan will punch him if I don’t decide on what to do quickly.

“This is what we’re going to do,” I start. “You’re going to leave my house and pretend you don’t know any of us. If Ryan wants to speak to you again, he’ll decide that. Same thing for Sophie; if she doesn’t want to go with you, you can’t force her. Got it?”

“I was trying to help; I honestly know nothing about this mafia shit. But I thought I could help with what I do know. I’m not going without Sophie; she shouldn’t be here.”

“Dad, she’s an adult; she can decide that for herself," Ryan says.

“I’m not leaving without her,” he says, adamant.

“You’re in no place to make any sort of demands,” I tell him.

“You’re going to let your friends talk to me like that?” John asks, looking at Ryan.

He looks at his father with a look of pure anger. “They were my family before you were, so yes, I will let them talk to you like this. You really should leave.”

“Fine, I’ll go, but this isn’t over,” John says, getting up.

Marco follows him to make sure he actually leaves.

“So that’s handled for now,” I say. “Drew, dig in and see if you can confirm the threatening ones were from one of Lorenzo’s men.”

“Got it.” He and Alonso leave my office.

Gabe, Jake, and Mateo quietly leave the room. So it’s just Ryan and I.

I can see the emotion on his face. Then he sits in the chair his father was just in.

“I’m sorry—” he starts.

I cut him off. “Why? You didn’t do anything.”

“He’s my dad⁠—”