Page 112 of The Boss

I try to chuckle, then cough, “Correct.” I grab the water from Ellie and suck a few gulps down.

“Still, this was not the plan,” Allie motions between Van and me. I frown as she says, “He was supposed to get close to Mancini over the next few years. Birthdays, weddings, he was supposed to wear him down. Work his way into their operation.”

“You weren’t going to bring her in?” Ellie asks Allie the question but she’s glaring at her husband.

“We weren’t sure,” Allie shrugs. “Mancini agreed to the marriage to plant her with the Irish. Skulls Quinn is a recluse. I assume your father and Volotov agreed to the marriage to use you to see what, exactly, Quinn knew or suspected, yes?”

“He didn’t tell me that but I’m sure you’re right. I don’t think he accounted for the lack of wifi. Couldn’t even listen in on my conversations.”

“True,” she nods, “He had Zeno search your things, tried to plant a bug.”

“W-what?” I am reeling yet again. Z would plant a bug in my things and not give me a heads up?

“So,” she crosses her arms, “We weren’t sure about you.”

“I was,” Van says, his voice low and sure.

“Not at first,” Allie finally looks away from me to Van. “The plan was always Mancini senior, then to see how much she knew. Some people can’t be turned.” She shifts back to me and says, “It’s clear your father didn’t read you into the real plan, the real product he’s moving.” I huff a bitter laugh at that. “But,” her tone changes. “You were an integral part of his operation, even if he didn’t know it. They’ve struggled without you and why wouldn’t they? Every night you changed his logs. You switched routes, reassigned men.”

“How do you—”

“Your ledger,” she says simply. As if it’s not a huge fucking deal that she’s read my personal, secret diary that was hidden in the lining of my suitcase. She steps closer to the bed. “You have a gift for this. Logistics. Efficiencies. And you’re a natural leader too.”

I look away.

I never led anyone.

I never got the chance.

“Van’s family took you in. In just a couple months, you earned the respect of the men and the affection of the women,” I start to shake my head but she raises her perfect brows. “Didn’t you?Think about it. Your suggestions. Your training and the crowd of spectators that grew and grew to watch said training.”

I look away and feel my cheeks burn. Then my eyes.

“You and Van falling in love was maybe the best thing that ever happened to us.”

I shake my head because this is too much. Quinn…Van…I…

“Fine, my mistake. Forget about Van. But your father was a fool, Luna. You’re brilliant, shrewd, strategic. You should have led teams, called shots and made plans. Come do so with me.”

“With you?” Ellie asks, “Where?”

“Wait a minute,” Van starts.

Allie answers Van in Russian.

“I don’t…” I stutter.

“Everyone stop!” Mark yells. We all stop and look at him. He looks almost distraught,“Mat’,”he calls Allie mother in Russian and tries to soften his tone but fails, “with all due respect, you’ve been here maybe five minutes, please explain why the hell ablack hawk is trying to land on my house right now?”

“Ah,” She nods, “That’ll be Owen, I suppose. I didn’t tell him I was coming.”

CHAPTER 49

Van

“Quit shifting, you look like an overgrown child waiting in line at Disney World,” Mark says to me out of the corner of his mouth.

“You look like you just got beat in the face by your younger, bigger, better brother,” I reply. I don’t care if I look excited. I am excited. I haven’t seen O in person in ages. Him and Allie on the same day? This is like Christmas. Mark can kiss my ass.