Page 23 of The Boss

Of course his intel on me would’ve included the lack of pets.

I just shrug. “I didn’t, but then I learned you loved dogs! And I’ve always wanted one, but Papa said no. And now I’m moving in with you so why not? And when I saw him I couldn’t not get him, I mean look at his little face!” I bring the dog’s hideous little head up to my mouth and make some gibberish kissy sounds, feeling my soul die a little bit inside me. It’s worth it though.I can be ridiculous for a month in exchange for my plan, my power.

“Mhm,” is all Quinn says, ignoring the scruffy miniature animal trying to lick my lips and studying me instead. Studying me in a way that makes me feel like he’s not buying any of the whiny, plastic, trophy-wife-bullshit I’m selling. Like he can see straight through to my brain and soul and deepest desires.

“Polly?” I look away, fighting not to show any discomfort under his stare.

“Yes, r-right here, Ivana will take some shots if you’ll just, uh, get together,” Her hands shake as she points and guides. Her nerves are so palpable I almost laugh.

I walk, well, it’s more like a stupid prance, up to my unamused fiancé and start to loop my left arm through his right, but he pulls away and decides to put his leather jacket back on. I frown at it.

“You’ll wear a tux for the wedding, right, babe? Or at least a suit?”

“Unlikely,” he sighs as he stretches out his neck to settle his coat around him.

“Awww, but I ordered it custom. I like lots of custom things, you’ll have to get used to it, especially when I move in, a lot of color, animal print, sparkles, feathers. Just like Marlon here,” I hold up the purse and show the interior surrounding my shivering dog, which is a sparkly fuzzy leopard fabric.

“That’s fine,” he dismisses me with a severe tone and then moves to stand behind me, taking some stoic military type pose, staring ahead to Ivanka. She clears her throat so I turn to face her and smile. I know Quinn isn’t smiling as he freezes, so still behind me, it’s like he’s not even there. Except I feel the heat of him, the fabric of his clothes at my back.

I expected to feel small, maybe crowded, with him looming so close at my back. But he isn’t looming. More like guarding.Like…God help anyone who tries to approach us and interrupt this photo.

I realize as I inhale, smelling metal and leather and man…I was wrong. He doesn’t have to intimidate women into sleeping with him. He is a recluse, an eccentric one, sure, and he might be a sick psycho too, but he’s no ogre hunchback in a tower.

It’s in his walk, his glare, his stance right now. He is a fucking warrior.

And my cheeks heat, along with other body parts, thinking about what it would be like to see him unleashed. My facade falters for a beat as I wonder, will I ever get to see that? Scarier still, do I actually want to?

No. No, of course not.

I want out.

That’s all I want.

CHAPTER 14

Quinn

“What if, crazy idea but go with me here, what if you didn’t make everyone, everywhere think you’re a creepy sadistic asshole all the time?” Mac says as we spill out of the front doors of the hotel. I feign innocence and he goes on. “Couldn’t spare one dance for the poor girl?”

“Luna Mancini is no poor girl.”

“You know what I mean, did you even talk to her?”

I roll my eyes, “I didn’t need to talk to her. Why would I? I showed up, I ate. I let her take her photos.”

“You’re going to make a shit husband,” he laughs as we round the car Mancini loaned for us and get in.

“And she’s going to be an…interesting wife.” I say before starting the car.

“That’s for sure. A damn dog in a purse? Tink might eat that little thing if he’s not careful,” he looks out the window and starts to laugh. “I cannot wait to see the first time that little rat goes out in the yard to take a piss with the other dogs.”

I almost smile, imagining it.

“Fuck me, what even was that tropicana bullshit back there? She had flowers in her hair, boss. This is going to be funwatching that woman move into the house. Talk about a fish out of water.” He laughs some more.

“More like a flamingo,” I mutter thinking of her lithe body and long graceful neck. Not that I really noticed.

“Yes! A flamingo among wolves,” he wipes a tear from one eye. “She’s a pretty bird though, no denying that.”