Page 107 of Extradition (Mobsters + Billionaires 1)
“Right before my speech. He told me it’s becoming increasingly obvious that Rand and I are an item, which meant leverage for my father. The Stefano and Portelli families have their own extradition agreement.”
Edgerton nods. “I’m aware.”
“My father asked Stefano to turn me in to him.”
Edgerton’s lips thin, and his eyes darken. “And Luca refused.”
A statement, not a question.
I tilt my head, adding two and two and coming up with five. “How did you know that?”
He gestures the length of me. “You’re still here. Tell me more about your father. What was his play?”
I fist my hands, squeezing so tight my knuckles crack. Raking my hand through my hair, I lock down my focus and let the scenarios spin. “Stefano refused to send me back to Brooklyn, so my father went after Rand to force my hand. Which was where he fucked up.” Thinking back to Luca’s threat, I continue, “If this mess puts Rand on Luca’s radar, so help me God, he better not lay a hand on him. I don’t want to have to fucking kill everybody.”
Who am I kidding? I did fucking kill everybody.
Edgerton holds up his hand. “Luca will not lay a finger on Mr. Wolfe. Of that, you can be certain.”
More bad math. “What the fuck, Edgerton? You’re first-naming the head of one of the most powerful mob families in Manhattan like he’s your bar buddy. Who the fuck are you?”
He shakes his head. “That’s immaterial.”
Oh, I doubt that. The elevator dings and I turn to see who or what this could be now. The doors open on a smiling Luca Stefano.
“Taking out the garbage, I see,” he says, making his way to me.
Clenching my teeth, I stick out my hand. “Stefano.”
He grabs it in a too-firm shake, a hint of annoyance crossing his handsome features. “I’ve already said it a couple of times, Joe. Call me Luca. You keep calling me by my last name, and I’m gonna take offense.”
I shrug, the only gesture I can manage without giving away how much his being here in Rand’s space makes my neck ache. “You make the rules, boss.”
He cocks his head, smiling. “I’m not your boss, Joe. But maybe after lending you my pitbull for the night, we’re something closer to friends, no?”
Fucking out of the frying pan straight into the fire. I set my jaw, dread filling my guts as a life not of my own making is laid out before me. I look to Rand, who’s confused and worried, and I know I’ll never drag him into this life.
Maybe a night like tonight burned out my remaining fucks, but I make no attempt at hiding my surprise. “Friends? If all your friends live in your pocket…”
Luca shakes his head, holding up his hands. “What just went through your head right now? Whatever it is, you haven’t been listening very carefully. If you want in on the Stefano family, I’ll take you in a heartbeat. But I don’t force people, Joe. I already said that.”
“Then, respectfully, why are you here?”
“I’m here to thank the guy who just made my life so much easier. “
“I suppose destroying everything my family stood for does ease the way for you in Brooklyn.”
He shakes his head. “I don’t give a shit about Brooklyn. Never did. Your father started a war that you ended. Me and Anthony, we lost some good men, to be sure, but it could have been so much worse.”
“What does that mean, we lost some men? Who’s Anthony?”
Edgerton opens his mouth, but Luca talks over him. “Did Anthony not explain things to you?”
“Who the fuck is Anthony?”
Should I be talking like this to Luca with a gun in my front pocket? No. But I’m about to put a fucking bullet in his head if he doesn’t start making some goddamn sense.
“That’s me,” Edgerton says, raising his hand like I just called roll. “I have an agreement with Luca. He’s a silent partner in my security operation.”
