Page 61 of The Boss

“Juliet, open your eyes, I don’t want you to forget a single second of this.”

Her eyes lock on mine as she shifts her hips, finding a rhythm that pulls us closer.

Everything builds quickly after that, the tension between us tightening until there’s no space left for restraint.

The moment breaks through us both, leaving us breathless and unsteady.

Once we’ve regained our composure, I lift her off of me and remove my belt from her wrists. I remove the condom and grab my suit jacket that was lying on the back of my desk chair. I put my boxers on and walk back to her.

She’s sitting back watching me.

I place the jacket around her shoulders and cradle her against me.

It doesn’t take long for her soft snores to fill the room.

I quietly sit thinking just how right my best friend has been, and how he isn’t here to say “I told you so.”

TWENTY-SEVEN

GINO

Since that afternoon in my office, her 6 am alarm hasn’t been turned back on, and once everyone leaves at night, we retreat to the bedroom, and I wake up to her beside me. I’ve been in a perfect fantasy of blissfulness. But when the darkness looms, both of us can’t help but think about what to do next. I know she has some guilt about us starting a relationship while Mateo is still missing, and so do I.

Every lead we’ve had has dried up, and the unknown number calling and texting Juliet has stopped. The Russos refuse to negotiate, still claiming it’s not their doing, even with our proven evidence that Lorenzo’s behind it.

Vanessa is still here every day, trying to piece together the information I continue to share with her. But still, I can’t bring myself to tell her everything I know. If she knew how bad Mateo looked in that photo, I know she would find a way to get him, no matter how close she is to her due date.

She tries to keep a brave face, but I can see through it. I can see her cracking. Understandably, she’s upset—she’s having twins and doesn’t know when their father is coming home. Juliet tries to keep her spirits up during the day, which seems to be working.

I’m done watching my sister’s armor crack. I’m done watching my friends all try to keep up when we’re all about to crumble.

I shut my office door and decide not to try to wait like I’ve been doing for far too long. I call Anthony Russo directly. No more dealing with his lieutenants or those he has working with him in the States. I know someone should be in the room with me, but I need to get this done now if I can.

“Anthony, it’s Gino Esposito⁠—”

“Gino, you’ve been terrorizing my men in New York,” he says, cutting me off. “Wish to tell me why?”

“I’ve been questioning your men because it seems that since my second in command was kidnapped by your son, and you seem to claim you know nothing about that,” I grit out.

“Listen, don’t you dare accuse my son of⁠—”

. “I’ve shown you the proof, and you refuse to believe it.”

“I told you we assumed you all were behind the raid at a warehouse shortly before you arrived. Lorenzo was to rough up your man a bit to prove a point,” he replies.

I press the bridge of my nose and take a deep breath.

“Anthony, if we’re trying to stop our operations in Italy, why the hell would I have my second in command call the police on some random warehouse you have?” I ask.

He hums in agreement.

“I don’t know. Lorenzo seems adamant that you all were behind the attack and that your man is an assassin sent here to take us all out. He was supposed to send him right back as a message, alive,” he says.

“You’re joking? Mateo is a fucking lawyer. But he’s about to become—” I cut myself off.

I can’t tell them he’s about to be a father because that could give them leverage I don’t want them to have.

“Has Mateo had any contact with anyone outside of your network?” he asks.