Page 99 of The Boss

“Just that he refused to tell me anything about his business beginning almost a year ago. We used to talk for hours and he stopped doing so. Didn’t return my calls a couple times. But the weirdest thing was the message he left me before leaving for Athens. It was like he telling me goodbye.” He lifted his head, studying my expression. “I didn’t think about it until after news of his murder settled in. It wasn’t what he said but how he talked about our relationship. I don’t know. Maybe I’m pulling at straws, but when I asked about the kids, he barely mentioned Shane.”

What the hell was the man into? My gut was now telling me that whatever it was had gotten him killed.

And perhaps his son running for his life.

Maybe I’d been looking at this entirely from the wrong direction.

“I’ll find out what we’re dealing with. I owe that to you as well as to Willow.”

“She must be devastated,” he said, his exhale heavy.

“She’s a fighter, Greg. She’s very strong. She turned into a beautiful young woman.”

As soon as I offer the kind words, I sensed my inflection had been wrong. He slowly lifted his head, even taking a couple of steps closer to me.

“Wait a minute. Hold on here. Is there something going on between the two of you?”

“I’m keeping her protected.”

“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean you haven’t touched her.”

How many lies was I adding up at this point? I remained quiet for a few seconds too long. Saying anything was only going to prove his point.

“You fucking son of a bitch. She’s my niece and fifteen years younger than you are. What the fuck is wrong with you? You touched her. You defiled her. Didn’t you? Didn’t you?”

“Greg, look?—”

I didn’t have the opportunity to explain before the hard punch was issued to my jaw. I was pitched backwards off the desk, tumbling to the floor. Willing myself not to react as I normally would was arduous. I threw a look in his direction, taking several deep breaths as I rubbed my face.

“You fucking asshole. Of all the things you could have done, fucking my niece?” He paced the floor for a few seconds. “Get up. Get the fuck up. Now!”

I was furious things had gotten this far, but I slowly moved to a standing position. He lunged at me instantly, tossing both our bodies against the bar. Glasses rattled, slipping to the floor. The shattering of glass couldn’t overpower his hate-filled roar. I met his glare with my own. “She’s a big girl who can make her own decisions.”

“You pushed her. Did you force yourself on that girl?”

“Hell, no. I have too much respect for her. I care about her, Greg.”

“Bullshit.”

“Not bullshit. She’s a very special woman.”

“That’s the point. She’s just a girl. You bastard.” He threw another brutal punch, trying for a third, but I caught his fist in my hand.

As soon as I shoved him back, he threw himself forward again. This time I reacted, issuing two savage jabs of my own. But there was no stopping his fury or his need to hurt me like I’d obviously done to him.

The man refused to give up, even as I punched him hard enough that he staggered backwards, crashing into the end table. A lamp was thrown to the floor and for a moment, I was certain he was determined to use it as a weapon.

But he came at me with both hands, able to wrap them around my throat before I could respond.

“Stop,” I hissed, punching him hard in the chest with both fists. As soon as I broke the connection, he was on me again. The man was determined to maim or kill me. I managed to wrap my arm around his throat, trying to keep him from doing something stupid, but he was strong, nearly breaking the connection. “Stop?”

We were both panting. Both bloody. Both filled with anger and regret.

“Just stop.” This time I lowered my voice hoping I could break through the haze of rage.

“You fucking… asshole.”

“Yeah, I am.”

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