Page 68

Did I trust Ben?More importantly, could I forgive him?
I didn’t know.
Chapter 23
Ben
The next day I showed up for work on time, half expecting Wyatt and the rest of the Grasso men to be waiting to kick my ass and toss me out into the street.Instead, I walked into an empty warehouse, except for a few of the men who worked under me.
Relief flooded through me so strongly, I had to take a second to let it.
“You okay?”Wyatt’s voice boomed through the warehouse.
“Fine,” I said, nodding toward him and holding my coffee from Espresso Yourself up to him in greeting.
“Let me guess.You thought we were all going to be waiting to take turns kicking your ass.”
“Well… yes, actually.I did.”
“Good thing for you, I had to iron today, and I hate ironing.There was no way I was going to let this shirt get a wrinkle.Consider yourself lucky.”He punched his fist.“I have a mean right hook.”
“I’ll be sure to stay on your good side then,” I said, biting back a grin.
Wyatt shrugged.“Smart move.Also, I didn’t tell the rest of the family you were still working here.So heads up, just in case.”
“So they do want to kick my ass?”
“Rose does, and she could probably take you.She’s feisty.I haven’t spoken with anyone, but nothing stays quiet for long in this family.I’m sure they all know.”
“They’re not here greeting me with fists, so I’ll take that as a good sign.”
“I’d say they’re probably reserving judgment for now.They’ll want to do their own reconnaissance.”
“That’s fair.”
He slapped a hand on my shoulder with a little too much enthusiasm.“I told you… I believe you.I vouched for you.Don’t let me regret it.”
“I won’t.I swear.”
“Good.Now you might be afraid of fists flying from the Grasso boys, but it’s the women you need to be scared of.Rose and Sherry are scary in their own right, but Chardonnay is downright terrifying.She makes little kids cry and can make a grown man fall to his knees.So stay clear and stay strong.”He slapped my back this time, and I nodded my understanding.“Now get to work.The inventory isn’t going to count itself.”
“You got it, boss.”
A ridiculous smile spread across his face.“I am the boss, aren’t I?Has a nice ring to it.Tell you what, you keep calling me boss, and I’ll take one for the team and vouch for you to Char.”
“Deal.”
“Wish me luck then.I’m heading into the lion’s den.”
“Good luck,” I called after him and shook my head as a laugh rumbled in my throat.Little did Wyatt know, I wasn’t scared of Chardonnay at all.She was exactly who I wanted to see.
I grabbed my clipboard and headed to do inventory before a new load of cases arrived to refill the shelves.There was something oddly comforting about returning to my routine of checking bottles, scanning labels, and making sure everything was exactly where it needed to be.It made me feel like I was contributing to society, that I was a part of something bigger than me.It’s how I felt when I had my label before it all came crashing down.
As I moved down the rows, clipboard tucked under my arm and pen behind my ear, I couldn’t stop the smile that tugged at my lips.Sherry might be far from forgiving me, but I was here, doing a job I had grown to love, in a place I loved even more.For the first time in a long time, I knew exactly who I was.
The new cases arrived, and I had my men stack them in place as I surveyed each one to make sure there was no damage or sabotage.My father had been quiet, but I wouldn’t put it past him.
The sound of heels caught my attention, and I turned toward the entrance.Chardonnay strode toward me with precise, confident steps.As soon as she realized I noticed her, she stopped.She pointed over her shoulder.“My office.Now.”That was all she said before she turned around and headed right out.