Read Online Boss (Chianti Kisses #2) by Tara Oakes - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Tara Oakes
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the smallest of secrets, no sooner would I have told her the truth for Carmine’s sudden arrival, than she would have let it unintentionally slip to V.
That explains why she just stormed off without even the littlest bit of recognition to Carmine or myself, but she left without even looking at V. These two had grown up closer than true sisters, with each of them having been the only girls among brothers of their own, so I’ve seen them go through sisterly crap before. But ignoring V when she’s just left the emergency room is a bit much. This situation is pissing me off now.
“You two stay here. I’ll be back.”
I make sure to speak loudly enough for the driver to hear. The cars are passing quickly but I spot an opening to make my way without further ER visits today.
I jog quickly out of dodge and into the door after Theresa.
“Wait!” I call out to her as she waits impatiently for the coming elevator.
She turns, arms still crossed, scowl still showing.
“What do you want, Dom? I’ve really had just about enough today.”
I stop short, close enough for us to keep our conversation private, as other residents of the building walk thorough.
“Good to know.” That may have sounded a little colder than she was prepared for as I see her eyes harden further. “Look, I don’t care about whatever scorned puppy-love nonsense is going on between you and Carmine. He won’t be here long, I hope, so just stay clear of each other. And if you’re pissed at me for not telling you about a last-minute guest, who by the way, I had no idea you had a thing for , then fine… be pissed at me. But my wife, your best friend, your sister-in-law , deserves better than that, Theresa. Whatever this crap is, squash it.”
The pinging of the elevator sounds loudly, interrupting us at a perfectly inopportune time for her to conveniently leave the conversation. She steps into the carpeted, rich paneled wood interior of the elevator and stares me in the eye.
Theresa and I have always been close, having only had each other, whereas the Lombardis had plenty of siblings. For she and I, it was just the two of us. I think I was more of a father to her… especially after dad died. But no matter the role I filled, brother, pseudo father figure…. I’ve seen her tantrums enough to recognize the one she is in the midst of now.
“Good to know,” she spits back at me as the moving doors close in on themselves. I gulp down the curse word I’m itching to scream out. I can think it, because she’s sure acting like one right now, but I’d never call her one out loud. And God help anyone else who tried to call her one in my presence.
The rest of the car ride home is quiet. Eerily quiet. It’s not late but we all look tired, worn.
“I’m going to go take a nap, I’m exhausted from all this,” V disappears up the stairs toward our bedroom, leaving Carmine and me to ourselves.
I move us into my office, throwing my suit jacket onto a nearby chair and making a bee-line to the bar. I’m heavy handed on the delicate crystal barware, but I don’t really care. The clinking and clattering breaks the silence shrouding around us.
“What happened?” I’m terse.
He speaks aloud to my back, as I finish my first glass and pour another.
“They were having lunch and some kind of argument, and then Vincenza knocked a glass over, cut herself. She fainted when I came in. That’s when Uncle Mario called the ambulance.”
I swallow the last bit playing on my tongue. “I know all that. I mean, what were they fighting about ?”
Carmine shrugs his shoulders. “Don’t know, boss.”
I turn to face him as he sits to share the rest of his thoughts with me. “I made myself scarce so your sister wouldn’t get upset if she saw me. I mean, I didn’t think she’d still hold a grudge, but Vincenza thought it best not to test the waters.”
I walk with glass in hand. “Well, that worked out well. Is this going to be an issue? I mean, honestly, I
That explains why she just stormed off without even the littlest bit of recognition to Carmine or myself, but she left without even looking at V. These two had grown up closer than true sisters, with each of them having been the only girls among brothers of their own, so I’ve seen them go through sisterly crap before. But ignoring V when she’s just left the emergency room is a bit much. This situation is pissing me off now.
“You two stay here. I’ll be back.”
I make sure to speak loudly enough for the driver to hear. The cars are passing quickly but I spot an opening to make my way without further ER visits today.
I jog quickly out of dodge and into the door after Theresa.
“Wait!” I call out to her as she waits impatiently for the coming elevator.
She turns, arms still crossed, scowl still showing.
“What do you want, Dom? I’ve really had just about enough today.”
I stop short, close enough for us to keep our conversation private, as other residents of the building walk thorough.
“Good to know.” That may have sounded a little colder than she was prepared for as I see her eyes harden further. “Look, I don’t care about whatever scorned puppy-love nonsense is going on between you and Carmine. He won’t be here long, I hope, so just stay clear of each other. And if you’re pissed at me for not telling you about a last-minute guest, who by the way, I had no idea you had a thing for , then fine… be pissed at me. But my wife, your best friend, your sister-in-law , deserves better than that, Theresa. Whatever this crap is, squash it.”
The pinging of the elevator sounds loudly, interrupting us at a perfectly inopportune time for her to conveniently leave the conversation. She steps into the carpeted, rich paneled wood interior of the elevator and stares me in the eye.
Theresa and I have always been close, having only had each other, whereas the Lombardis had plenty of siblings. For she and I, it was just the two of us. I think I was more of a father to her… especially after dad died. But no matter the role I filled, brother, pseudo father figure…. I’ve seen her tantrums enough to recognize the one she is in the midst of now.
“Good to know,” she spits back at me as the moving doors close in on themselves. I gulp down the curse word I’m itching to scream out. I can think it, because she’s sure acting like one right now, but I’d never call her one out loud. And God help anyone else who tried to call her one in my presence.
The rest of the car ride home is quiet. Eerily quiet. It’s not late but we all look tired, worn.
“I’m going to go take a nap, I’m exhausted from all this,” V disappears up the stairs toward our bedroom, leaving Carmine and me to ourselves.
I move us into my office, throwing my suit jacket onto a nearby chair and making a bee-line to the bar. I’m heavy handed on the delicate crystal barware, but I don’t really care. The clinking and clattering breaks the silence shrouding around us.
“What happened?” I’m terse.
He speaks aloud to my back, as I finish my first glass and pour another.
“They were having lunch and some kind of argument, and then Vincenza knocked a glass over, cut herself. She fainted when I came in. That’s when Uncle Mario called the ambulance.”
I swallow the last bit playing on my tongue. “I know all that. I mean, what were they fighting about ?”
Carmine shrugs his shoulders. “Don’t know, boss.”
I turn to face him as he sits to share the rest of his thoughts with me. “I made myself scarce so your sister wouldn’t get upset if she saw me. I mean, I didn’t think she’d still hold a grudge, but Vincenza thought it best not to test the waters.”
I walk with glass in hand. “Well, that worked out well. Is this going to be an issue? I mean, honestly, I
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