Page 2 of The Boss

My dad died last week after being shot by the Russians, and now it’s my job to run his mafia syndicate.

He stays silent for a minute, then says, “It’s going to suck for the next few weeks, having to take control of everything.” He lets out a breath. “But take your time. I’m here for you and so is Juliet; she hasn’t taken her eyes off you all day.”

“I know.” I let out a huff of a laugh. “She’s acting like I’m going to crack at some point.”

“I felt the same way. You know how I was after my parents died. I couldn’t do anything for weeks.”

“Yeah, but I don’t have the time to grieve right now.”

“I can help with work stuff, and Juliet can help with life stuff. Give yourself a break, man,” he tells me.

“I know. I know.”

“I have to drive back to the city, so I’m going to head out, but let me know if you need anything,” he says as he stands.

“Mateo,” I call out to him, and he turns around. “Thank you.”

He gives me a nod in response and heads towards the door. He hugs Juliet on the way out, and it makes me get a little tense.

“She’s not mine,” I have to remind myself. She’ll never be, no matter how many times I have masturbated thinking about her.

“Hey,” Juliet says softly to me, taking a seat right next to me on the stairs. “Do you want more of that?”

“More of what?”

“Scotch?”

“Uh, sure.” She pours more into my glass. “Are you going to have anything?”

“No, I’m going to clean up from tonight.”

“It’ll be here in the morning. Have a drink with me, please.” I look at her with pleading eyes, to which she replies silently with a soft smile.

She gets up, leading the way into the kitchen. She grabs one of the open red wine bottles on the table and pours herself a glass. We sit at the bar in silence for a while.

To break the clear tension, she says, “Gino, I know today has been a lot, but are you sure you’re okay? Your father just died, and you haven’t slowed down.”

“Why is everyone so worried about me?” I ask.

“Because grief is weird,” she says, looking down at her hands.

“How would you know?” The words leave me quicker than I can register them. Harsher.

I’m such an asshole.

“I’ve lost people too, Gino,” she whispers. I can tell it pained her to mention.

“Shit, Jules. I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright.” She lets out a breath. “Grief is weird. Some days you’re fine, and others you feel like you are going to break down. And sometimes, you do.”

Releasing a breath, I look over at her and see a tear roll down her cheek.

Taking my thumb, I wipe it away. “Jules, I’m sorry I didn’t think.”

“It’s alright.” She looks over at me and gives me another soft smile. Her lips, as usual, are a soft pink and gorgeous to look at.

She bites her lip. “What?”