Page 123 of Extradition (Mobsters + Billionaires 1)
Edgerton goes to open his mouth, but Mads holds up his hands. “I’m here to play poker, and I’d rather not talk about it. No stalkers, no technology, no TrackerTech, just me wiping the floor with you guys as I flex my mad poker skills.”
Luca and Edgerton share a look. “You’re with TrackerTech?”
Mads sticks out his hand. “CEO and founder.”
Luca shakes it and sends Edgerton another look. “We’ll enjoy poker tonight, but I’m going to need your card. I’ve got a business proposition for you.”
Mads swallows and proffers his card. Edgerton steps in and takes it from him, tucking it away in his wallet.
Rand leans in. “Did you just see what I saw?”
I shrug, laughing to myself. “I don’t know. But I think that stalker guy is about to have a real bad day.”
“Good.”
We all top off our adult beverages and join Luca in the surprisingly opulent library, just off the living room. He scans the room and checks his watch, looking disappointed.
I nudge him, hoping to get him back to the loose version we saw earlier.
“I think Ford had a thing. He’s just running late.”
He chuckles, some of the disappointment fading from his expression. “I’m sure you’re right.”
Hopper appears next to us out of thin air. “Ford’s calendar indicates that he’s not prone to backing out of commitments. I think Joe’s right on this one,” he says, popping a crab fritter in his mouth.
Luca smacks his arm. “Jesus, Hopper. What did I say about sidling up next to me like that?”
Hopper looks contrite, and I’ll be honest…it’s scary as fuck.
“Sorry, brother. Just wanted to let you know that I’m heading out.”
Luca rolls his eyes and hugs Hopper with a kiss to his temple. “Playing cat and mouse with your RICO agent tonight?”
Hopper rocks back, grinning from ear to ear.
Scratch what I said earlier. This is way more horrifying than his contrition face.
“I’m still trying to figure out if I’m going to let him see me or not. Might flip a coin.”
“Brother, please remember our deal. You can have your plaything, but you cannot compromise yourself. I don’t want to go after an officer of the law, but if he tries to arrest you, I will kill him. Okay?”
Hopper gives Luca a crisp salute and sends Sherry a funny little wave before leaving the party to the rest of us.
Luca turns to me, shaking his head. “I love my brother to death, but that man ain’t right.”
A laugh escapes my lips. “Wait, he’s actually your brother?”
Luca shrugs. “One of many, I’m sure. My father was indiscriminate that way.”
“Did you two grow up together?”
“No. About ten years ago, I started snooping through my father’s finances. In addition to his illegal enterprises, I found some old child support payments and had Anthony follow up on them. He found Hopper in a halfway house.”
Anthony—Edgerton—shifts. I’m guessing it wasn’t a good situation.
“And you just brought him home?”
Luca’s brow is quizzical. “Why wouldn’t I? He’s family. Why should I get the good life while he gets the short end of the stick?”
