Page 98 of The Boss

EARLY MAY

It’s been almost two weeks since everything went down and Mateo was retrieved safely. And now he’s here. Back home. Where he belongs.

I watched the car pull up in the driveway moments ago, and I’m still not prepared for the necessary conversation. And now I’m watching Gabe, Alonso, and Mateo stride to the front door. Immediately, I see the healing bruises along his jaw. Alonso mentioned his hair was relatively long, which is to be expected, but it’s cut now. And then I notice what the doctors had said: he lost almost thirty pounds whilst in captivity. They must have fed him just enough to survive.

The doctors were more concerned about the small scarring all over his chest and abdomen. They don’t think any were deep cuts, but enough of them had them concerned about infections.

I watch him walk through the door and know I need to speak to him.

Walking out of the library, I can see his back as he enters the kitchen. I’m frozen for a moment before I walk forward.

“Gino,” he calls out.

I don’t reply, just stare at him. The best friend I’ve ever had is standing in front of me, home after months of being in captivity, and I’m still frozen.

“Gino,” he calls again, louder.

I finally move, walking forward into the kitchen. “Hey, man.”

He turns, and I pull him into a hug. He winces, clearly still stiff from everything.

“Hey,” he mutters. “Where is everyone?”

“Home, probably. Juliet is upstairs. Listen, we need to talk,” I start.

“Can I see my wife first?” He asks.

“Not before we talk,” I reply.

“What the fuck, man?” he snaps. “I spent the last year being tortured and held against my will, and I can’t even see my wife when I get home?”

“I need to talk to you about Vanessa,” I say.

“What happened?” he asks.

“Nothing bad,” I tell him. “I’ll say that much.”

I don’t know how to tell him. Hey man, after you got kidnapped, your wife found out she was pregnant, and congrats, you’re a dad to twins.

I reach into one of the drawers in the kitchen where I moved his phone to this morning. I can’t look at him right now.

I set his phone on the counter.

“Here. That’s your phone. We recovered it from your hotel room after they took you.”

Then, more quietly, I say, “Just promise me one thing. Don’t be angry with Vanessa. She didn’t know until after you left.”

I start to walk away.

“Know what, Gino?”

I pause and release a deep exhale.

“Just turn on the phone, and wait a few minutes before you run home,” I say and walk out.

I glance out the window and see him running out the door.

The next morning, Juliet and I are still in bed when I hear the front door open through the security system app on my phone. I get out of bed and walk down the hallway to the top of the stairs.