This was met with the most complete silence this house had ever held.
Stephen slowly sat back on the couch and slumped next to their father. They both looked stunned.
Mikey, however, leaned forward, which Mati chose to believe was a good sign. And her mother appeared to be trying very hard not to smile.
“Stephen, that envelope has all the paperwork. The bank was only too happy to be rid of you. They’ve even offered me a line of credit, which we may or may not use judiciously to get Viveiros Produce back on track.”
“Viveiros and—”
“No, Dad,” Mati said before he could finish. “I get that’s what you wanted, but the boys blew it and I’m fixing it. That’s going to come at a cost to each of you. For you, Dad, it’s the end of Viveiros and Sons. It’s Viveiros Produce, now.”
Her father nodded slowly, which was better than she’d dared to hope.
“Also, Frankie is out. Today. This morning, if you can manage it,” she added.
“But—”
“No,” Mati snapped. “If I have to explain to you why hiring the man who shamed and stalked me was anincredibly uncoolthing to do, then I will, but in the meantime, he’s gone, and one of you two jokers”—she pointed between her brothers—“is going to do it. Understood?”
“Yes,” Mikey said.
Stephen shook his head. “But we need a driver for that route tomorrow.”
“One of you can take it until we hire someone new, preferably someone without a criminal distaste for women, if you don’t mind.”
Stephen frowned. “We already have full plates.”
“Your plates are going to change, at least in the short term. As of this week, Reese and I will be doing a complete audit of the books, and I will be taking over bookkeeping, payroll, and all management decisions. That should free up some time for you both.”
“So, you two are going to come in and take over the whole company?” Stephen snapped.
Mati glared at her brother. “There is no ‘you two’. It’s just me. And at first? Yes. Until we can figure out where you two went wrong. Dad ran a thriving business for thirty years, and you downed it in less than five. Until we get back to the thriving part, and replenish Mom and Dad’s savings, I’m going to be involved in all decisions. But let me be clear, I havezerodesire to run a produce business, let alone this one. I’ll retain fifty-one percent ownership, and the oversight and profits that go with that, but you two will go back to being in charge, and if you don’t screw it up, you won’t hear much from me. I already have a job, one I love and have no intention of giving up.”
“I guess you should be loyal if he’s giving you all this money,” Stephen sneered.
Mati took a stranglehold on her temper.
“I didn’t give her a dime,” Reese said mildly, capturing the attention of everyone in the room. He appeared for all the world unperturbed, his legs crossed, one arm stretched along the back of the couch. “You were fools not to make her a partner in your company from the outset, a mistake for which I will always be grateful. That gratitude, and because Matilda has helped me many times over, means I will gladly offer whatever help I can in return. But make no mistake—my only interest is inherwell-being, not the company. If I think for one minute the investment isn’t sound, or that she’s being made unhappy, I will campaign furiously for her to sell Viveiros Produce to the highest bidder and walk away. The decision will be hers alone, of course, but if you think she got to where she’s in a position to buy and sell companies by being a soft touch, you’re more foolish than I ever believed.”
Mati reminded herself, sternly, that now was not the right time to go over and kiss the bejesus out of Reese. David appeared to be having the same struggle.
Mati focused back on her family, surprised to find her mother getting to her feet. She came around the coffee table, squeezed Mati’s hand, and went to Reese and David.
“I have coffee and cinnamon rolls. Can I get you gentlemen anything?”
If that wasn’t the seal of approval, Mati didn’t know what was. Her brothers knew it, too.
Her dad no longer looked angry, so much as resigned.
Mati would take it. It wasn’t like she’d ever thought for a minute they’d thank her.
Reese was having a religious experience. Watching Mati kick ass and take names was enough on its own, but now he was eating this fucking pastry that he swore to god had been made by angels.
He said as much to Mati’s mom—without the curse words, of course—and she beamed at him and went to the kitchen to get more.
“I need this recipe,” David begged when she returned.
She was obviously surprised by the request.
