“The faux inspection put them behind, but they’re pushing through. They’re scheduled to get here Friday morning. We’re going to need the full team to go through the shipment so it’s ready in time for the buyer that night.”
“Let’s get everyone, then.”
“I’ll get with Gui and work on it.”
I lean back in my chair and let out a deep sigh.
“Don’t worry, Massi, we’ll get the shipment in time. Will we be scrambling up until the last second? Probably, but it’ll be ready.”
“It’s not that. It was a close fucking call at the border, but with them getting through, I know it’ll be ready in time for Friday night.”
“Then what’s got you all stressed?” He nods to me. “You look fucking rough.”
I tilt my head to one side, cracking it, then tilt it in the other direction, doing the same. “Just thinking about the shit I still need to do before I officially take over.”
“Ahhh, Dad putting the pressure on you to get that wedding ring on Liana’s finger?”
“You could say that,” I mumble.
“If things are going that bad with her, why don’t you just pick a different woman?”
“Not going to happen.”
“Why not? There are plenty of women who would marry you without you even having to pop the damn question. Why Liana?”
I rub my forehead, knowing it’s about time I come clean to my brother.
“The thing with Liana is?—”
The door to my office flies open. My hand is on the gun in my drawer in a second, and Gio’s is on his holstered to his side.
“You have some nerve?—”
Liana’s eyes widen as she takes in my brother and me.
Sheila’s head pops in behind her. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Bonetti. I tried to stop her, but she barreled her way through, and I wasn’t able to catch up with her in time.”
Removing my hand from the gun, I push myself up to a stand. “Don’t worry about it, Sheila. Liana’s allowed back anytime she wants. Understood?”
Sheila’s eyes widen, but she gives me a nod. “Understood.”
Gio stands and looks at me. “I’ll talk to you later, then.” Turning to Liana, he gives her a smile and holds out his hand. “Nice to see you again, Liana. We weren’t formally introduced last time. I’m Giovanni, but you can call me Gio.”
Giving him a small smile, she says, “It’s nice to meet you too, Gio.”
She extends her hand, and he takes it, lifting it up to his lips and giving it a kiss. The intimate contact between them has me seeing red.
“Get out,” I snap.
Gio chuckles, releasing her hand. Turning back to me, he gives me a wink, then turns back to my assistant and says, “Let’s go, Sheila. I’ll treat you to lunch.”
“But—”
“Now, Sheila,” he says, gesturing for her to exit my office.
After they shut the door behind them, Liana looks back to me, and the small smile she had while greeting my brother has been replaced with a straight line of anger.
Clearing my throat, I say, “What brings?—”
