Page 43 of The Boss

Though he did reveal he lived alone in the wild for six months. When, and much more importantly, why? That’s not normal for a made man. Made men are not survivors in that sense. More like survivors in that they kill everyone else and they’re the last man left standing. Armed and in a suit and tie, usually.

Today I learned that as confident as he is that his men won’t touch me, he also doesn’t want them sneaking any peeks at me either.

It’s not much but it’s something? I guess?

“Damn it!” I say, and not totally because I just dropped the last boot onto my own toe. Truthfully, I’m angry because I'm not used to failing. I’m not used to beingseenso clearly. At least it’s not boring or predictable here. I haven't even missed the internet that much.

I actually think I’d be excited to have finally met my match with a man if I weren’t married to him. And if he wasn’t the leader of another family. And if he wasn’t a madman who cuts people in half.

“Ugh,” I grunt as I drop the last set of boots into the line I’ve made along one side of the large room.

I’m not giving up yet.

Of my three attempts, this all white, skin tight, skimpy workout ensemble seemed to affect him the most. Luckily when I like a set I buy it in multiple colors.

I smirk as I make my way back into the house.

First, I’ll go with the blush pink set. I rarely wear it because at a glance I look totally naked. If nothing else, the bold move will earn me another counter move, and I’ll learn a bit more about my dear husband. I’ll collect the lessons one by one until I can get some serious intel.

Then I’ll go home and use that intel to take my place.

We are not equals here.

“Hell no, we’re not equals,” I mutter quietly to myself as I try to find his precious Sheila.“You’re a barbarian who rips people in half while you’re having a tantrum. I am level-headed and patient and sneaky as fuck.We’ll see who’s the don in the end, Quinn.I pause to smile sweetly at yet another shorter, lankier version of my spouse before he turns out of sight. “We will fucking see.”

CHAPTER 23

Luna

Or maybe we won’t.

He won’t.

Because he’s never around. The few times I’ve seen him the last two days, since the nasty boot business morning before last, he’s barely acknowledged me, even in my skimpy workout sets. I would think he’s avoiding me but he doesn’t seem interested enough in me to avoid me.

Which pisses me off.

It’s boring and lonely and again, ruining my plans.

“Plus, I’m not learning anything, Mar. Not a damn thing,” I tell my dog. I swear he grunts in agreement. We’ve walked through the entire estate, including an Olympic-athlete-level gym built off of one wing of the house. I walked the grounds again, even venturing into the woods a ways before chickening out. Tiny has taken to following me which is both comforting and unnerving at the same time.

Quinn is as much a mystery as Vix reported. Everyone is just walking around, Mini Quinns and little Sheilas, doing manual labor. Happily. I’ve caught more than one dude whistling.

Fucking whistling?

I have also realized in the few times I’ve observed my husband with this clan, Quinn’s men, they’re not afraid of him. Not at the level they should be. They make loads of eye contact and almost talk to him like he’s one of their broseph buddies. He threatened to cut my brain in half!

So. He’s possibly bipolar. Or he’s gone softer than the rumors imply and his men are just waiting to launch a mutiny. That’s my current working theory. That he’s weakened, tired out and started letting his soldiers do the dirtiest work, the leader’s work. He’s only thirty-four, which is extremely young for a don. But if his mind is starting to crack, age doesn’t matter. Someone stronger will usurp him.

“But who,” I ask aloud as I venture to the woods again. It’s the only stone I’ve left unturned. I’ve had a full breakfast, I’ve got two knives on me, surprised to find them still in their case in my closet, and Tiny is around, though I can’t see her at the moment. I wish I could. These woods are dense, quiet and creepy as hell.

Who will hijack Quinn’s throne? Whoever it is, that’s who I should be targeting. When they step in, I’ll offer myself as their willing wife and start my sleuthing all over again. There are older captains, I’ve seen them come and go, even though they don’t live on the grounds. That’s my best—

GUH!

HA!

I pause to process what I’m hearing.