Chapter 13 Massimo
MASSIMO
“Have we heard anything about the new supply coming in from down south? What happened with it?” I ask Gio.
“They got to the border right before the shift change, so they got held up. None of our guys were there to let them through, but they were able to delay a search of the trucks.”
“How the hell were they able to do that?”
“Gui was able to get in contact with one of the higher-ups on our payroll who told the team to leave the trucks for the next shift to inspect.”
“Well, that was fucking close,” I say, disgruntled with the fact that one of our largest shipments to date was almost seized at the border. “Since when do our men make mistakes like that?”
“I looked into it, and it seems our suppliers sent a new crew.”
“A new crew?” I grind out. “Where the fuck is our old crew?”
“Gui is working on that part, which is why he’s not here.”
I close my eyes and rub my temples. “This is fucking amateur shit.”
“I know. Gui and I have it covered, though. We’re making it crystal fucking clear to the suppliers that this type of shit is never to be pulled again or else …”
“Will the supply get here by Friday?”
“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—”
“You have some nerve, Massimo.” She stomps over so she’s standing directly in front of my desk. “How dare you?”
“How dare I what?” I ask, fully knowing what this is about.
After my chat with my dad the other day, I called Tomasso and told him to get his daughter and her boyfriend to break up. I wasn’t one hundred percent sure it would push Liana into my arms, but it seems I have my answer now.
“Do you think you’re God or something?”
I release a scoff. “Definitely not.”
“Then why do you continue to play with people’s lives like this?”
“Why don’t you take a seat, Liana?”
She drops her bag in one of the chairs while taking a seat in the other.
Letting out a sigh, I sit back down. “I already told you. I’ll do anything to get you.”
“Yes, I know that, but how can you sit there and think I’d be okay with how you’re going about all of this? You’ve pushed the limit, Massimo. You’ve gone too damn far.” She seethes.
“There’s no limit when it comes to you.”
She shakes her head. “She means a lot to me, and she’s gone through so much.
Her own mother left her. Can you imagine how that feels?
Oh, wait, that’s right, Massimo Bonetti comes from a happy, safe, complete home.
Complete with both parents still alive and together and two brothers.
This bubble you live in must be really awesome, huh?
It has you not even considering the hell you’re bringing down on others. ”
“Liana, I—”
“It doesn’t matter. I don’t care what your excuse is. You wanted to use Alessia to force me into a marriage. Well, you’ve finally succeeded, you asshole.”
That grabs my attention, making me perk up. I raise a brow at her.
“Yes, you heard me correctly, but if you think I don’t have some conditions of my own for this contractual marriage, you have another thing coming.”
“Contractual marriage,” I say.
“Yes, I know how this stuff works. I’m sure you drew up a contract for me to sign?”
I’m impressed, even though I shouldn’t be. Liana’s business didn’t take off on its own. It’s needed a well-versed businesswoman who is fluent in contracts to succeed.
“Of course,” I say.
“Great. Hand it over.” She holds out her hand.
My brows raise to my hairline. “You’re going to sign it right here, right now?”
“Of course not,” she scoffs out. “Do you think I’d be stupid enough to sign a document without going over every single line? Besides, I already told you, I have some conditions of my own I’d like to add, so I’ll need a copy of the contract to add them in.”
“And what if I don’t agree to those conditions?”
“Well, then you can say goodbye to your chance at ever having me.”
A low chuckle reverberates out of my chest. “Alright, Liana. I’ll play by your rules.”
Opening up the top drawer of my desk, I pull out a manila envelope. Setting it on my desk, I push it over to her.
She opens it up and pulls the single piece of paper out. “This is it?”
“It’s just a marriage contract. There’s not much that goes into it.”
She pushes the paper back inside the envelope and grabs her bag off the chair next to her.
Pulling out her phone, she says, “When are you available to go over the additions I make to the contract? It looks like I’m pretty booked next week.
I might be able to squeeze you in on Thursday before lunch. ”
I raise a humorous brow at her. “Are you really penciling your future husband into your schedule?”
“This is a business meeting, so yes, you’re going on my business schedule. I have a lot going on, Massimo, and I don’t plan on ever dropping everything for a man like you.”
Her words should hurt, but I’m too fucking giddy she’s finally been pushed right into my arms. “Thursday before lunch works for me.”
She types on her phone, then looks at me over the top of it. Raising a brow, she says, “Are you going to write this down?”
“I’ll remember.”
“You’re sure you’re not busy? Shouldn’t you check your schedule first? Or better yet, should we go and ask Sheila if you’ll be available that day?”
I chuckle, noting the emphasis she put on my assistant’s name. “We could ask Sheila. Would you like me to see if she’s still out there so I can call her in?” I allow my finger to hover over the intercom on my desk phone.
Liana rolls her eyes. “I don’t really care. I’ve already put it in my schedule. If you don’t show up, then that’s on you.”
“And where and when will I be showing up on Thursday?”
Pushing herself up to a stand, she says, “My office. Twelve o’clock sharp. Don’t be late.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I say, and her eyes narrow just a bit.
Ignoring me, she turns and leaves my office without another word.
I lean back in my chair and smile, fucking thrilled I’m about to get everything I’ve wanted.
Liana might be upset with how this marriage is coming about, but all I need is a commitment from her. Then she’ll see just how fucking perfect we’ll be together.