Page 25 of The Boss

Over the years, Gino has had some really dumb ideas, and most of the time, Mateo or I can talk him out of it. The look on his face right now tells me differently. He’s not going to back down from this absolutely terrible idea.

He sighs. “This is for your protection. If everyone believes we’re dating, this person will either back off or reveal themselves.”

“Gino, I don’t see how a fake relationship between us would do that.”

“Regardless of how I want this business to go, people still see me as an Esposito. They fear me. If people believe we’re together, maybe they will come directly to me versus going to you.”

“So you want control?”

“That’s not it. I want you safe and protected.” He rounds the desk and leans against the front, his eyes never leaving me.

He’s close again. Too close.

“Juliet, this is the only way.”

“No, it’s not, Gino; there are a lot of ways, not just this.”

“Please trust me on this,” he pleads.

“Gino, you’ve had some dumb ideas over the years, and this is probably the dumbest.”

He snorts.

“This isn’t funny,” I say.

“Juliet, I’m not joking, I’m not overthinking, and I’m definitely not doing this for fun. This is your safety, and to me, that’s the number one thing I care about most in the world.”

Getting him to back down is not happening; I can see it clearly now.

“If we do this, how do you expect everyone to believe you? Would we tell our friends at least?”

“We need to keep it between us; we don’t know who this is. We both know it’s no one in the group, but who knows how this person is getting their information? Someone could be passing it along and not knowing it.” He pauses. “Outside of Drew, did you tell anyone else?”

I shake my head.

He grabs my hands. “We’ll find out who this is, but I need you to trust me; this is the best option to protect you.”

I swallow and nod.

I guess it’s official: I’m fake dating my best friend who I’ve been in love with for ten years.

TWELVE

GINO

It’s officially been a week since Gabe went to Italy and sent back Mateo’s belongings, which have just arrived and are now sitting on my desk.

It’s already the end of June, and I don’t know how much longer this can go on for.

I stare at the box, not wanting to open it.

If I open it, it will feel more real.

With a sigh, I grab my pocket knife and cut through the seal. Everything stares back at me; I pull out the files and clothes. Then I see his phone. It’s dead, which is what I expected, but it’s also cracked, like it had been dropped.

Turning slightly, I plug it into the charger beside my desk and look back into the box.

A black velvet box catches my attention first. I lift it and flip the lid open, and his silver wedding band glistens under the light. It’s for the best that he took it off. The fewer people who know he’s married, the better.