Page 91 of The Boss

I breathe in her vanilla scent. Holding her, I can tell how tired she is.

I hope Gino having me make the call was the right decision.

THIRTY-EIGHT

GINO

My phone jolts me awake. Alonso.

“Hello,” I say.

“We got him. He’s in rough shape. We’re taking him to the nearest hospital,” he responds.

I look over to Juliet, who’s still asleep. She was right.

“Watch your back,” I tell him firmly. “Casualties?”

“Three men on their side; Lorenzo wasn’t there,” he replies.

“Got it. I’m calling Anthony now.”

“Good. Juliet was right. I would definitely go after his assets in the States.”

I hum in response and hang up.

Juliet stirs awake.

She leans up. "What is it?”

“They got him. He’s hurt, but he should be home soon,” I tell her.

“Are you going to tell her yet?” she asks, immediately more alert.

Vanessa.

Do I want to tell her? Absolutely.

Should I tell her? Probably.

Should I tell her this early in the morning? Definitely not.

“I want to—God, I want to. But I need to know he’s okay,” I reply.

“Don’t delay too long or she’ll resent you for it,” she says softly.

“I know.” Of course, I know. This could go south quickly.

I get out of bed and change into a T-shirt and sweats.

“I’m calling Anthony to negotiate a deal,” I say. “Regardless of his involvement, he’s not getting away with this.”

She starts to sit up and throws her legs over the side of the bed.

“Jules, go back to bed,” I tell her. “If I need you, I’ll come get you. Until we know he’s healthy and able to get here, I need you to help Vanessa as you have been.”

I hope he comes home ASAP. Not just for me, but for Vanessa, too. For his children.

She bites her lip and gets back into bed.