Page 51 of Wicked Truths

“I’m sure there will be another opportunity soon, especially if another shipment is late.”

That we can pretty much count on. People don’t know how serious Arturo is yet, but they will soon because word will spread. You don’t fuck over Arturo Marino.

Arturo picks up his clipboard and glances down at it for a moment.

“The first three pallets are going in the left van for downtown deliveries. Two are going in the box truck for interstate deliveries. And the last pallet is going in the right van to be delivered across the street after they close for the night.”

Spencer, Joey, and I kick into work mode, like we always do.

Grabbing my pocket knife, I cut open the plastic wrap and help carry the smaller boxes to the first van.

We all have our own speculation as to what is in these boxes, but only Joey knows for sure. He never speaks about it, and we never ask. It’s better that way. Less incriminating- not that it would stop me from working for the Marinos.

The pay is great, and in some way, it helped me feel closer to Francesca over the past two years.

“What’s the matter Montgomery? Old age dragging you down?” Joey teases as he picks up two boxes and carries them to the van.

“Nah, more like your sister.” Spencer punches me in the arm as he jogs back to the pallet.

“Fuck you, Reed.” I pick up two boxes and stack them on top of the two that Joey just put down in the back of the van.

“You’re really not my type, but thanks for the offer.” He gives me a smirk before glancing over at Joey.

“You still love her, don’t you?” Joey says as he walks past carrying two more boxes.

I scoff. “Of course I do. That will probably never change.”

A loud crash sounds from inside the building. I look at Spencer and Joey with their arms full of boxes and say, “I’ll go check it out and make sure everything is alright. We don’t need Arturo finding broken equipment or supplies.”

As I jog to the back of the building, my mind wanders to Chessie.

There’s no reason she couldn’t be here right now. This is her family’s legacy.

The guys might not let her lift and move the product, but she could take Arturo’s job of holding the clipboard and barking orders.

Not to mention, she’d look sexy as hell doing it.

I check inside the bay for anything broken or toppled over. In the far corner, boxes are tipped over and scattered. Bubble wrap is unrolled from the giant roll and glass is shattered.

We will have to clean this up after we finish unloading the pallets.

I job back over to the guys. “A stack of boxes fell over. It can be cleaned up later.”

Joey nods. “Some of Dad’s guys can stay late and clean it up. It’s probably their fault it tipped over. Stupid fucks like to stack shit up to the roof.”

“Are we good here?” I glance between Joey and Spencer.

Spencer nods. “Yeah, we’ll handle it from here. Go handle whatever or whoever is on your mind.”

I roll my eyes. “You knowwhat or whois on my mind. It hasn’t changed in two fucking years.”

“Yeah, and I think you should let her know what you’ve been up to for the pasttwo fucking years.”

I glance over at the only obstacle keeping me from telling Francesca the truth, her father. He immediately meets my gaze.

“Montgomery.” Arturo calls out to me before waving me over. “You got a minute?”

“For the boss? Of course.” I say as I jog over to him.

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