Page 32 of Extradition (Mobsters + Billionaires 1)
“It’s after hours. We’re on my time, not yours.”
I nod as I escort her through the hallway into the living room, wondering if I’d like it as much if others started using my first name.
“Oh my God, this house smells like heaven.”
Joe comes padding out of the kitchen, still barefoot, still weirdly attractive in his worn-out jeans and tank top. He gives Sherry a little wave from across the space before returning to the kitchen.
She lets out a low whistle under her breath. “I see the problem now.”
I turn to her. “What?”
“Not only did he save your life, but he could also practically jumpstart your heart. Who knew he was hiding all of that under his secondhand wardrobe?” she whispers conspiratorially.
“Whatever are you on about?”
“He looks like a Calvin Klein model.”
“No. I dated a Calvin Klein model. That man was smooth, refined, and beautiful. None of those words describe Joe. And shh. He can probably hear every word we’re saying.”
Sherry lowers her voice but seems bound and determined to make her point. “You’re right. He’s not refined. At. All. He’s ruggedly handsome. Dangerously so. I can see why you’d be having a hard time.”
“I could fire you,” I hiss, fixing her with a glare. “I could so fire you right now.”
Sherry snorts, dramatically rolling her eyes. “But you won’t. Because you’re not an idiot.” Grinning, she looks right up at me. “Except for when it comes to how you behave around mobsters, apparently.”
“I’m never living this down, am I?” I say as we make our way into the kitchen
Gesturing between Joe and me, she answers, “You pissed off a mobster while begging his brother to give you another chance after behaving so spectacularly awful the day before. Yeah, you’ve earned whatever you get from me on that.”
“This is going to be a learning opportunity for me, isn’t it?”
“Yes. One I’ll enjoy reminding you of whatever I possibly can.”
Joe’s eyes dart back and forth between the two of us like a tennis match.
“You talk to him like that?”
Sherry shrugs. “All the time.”
Joe laughs, pointing at himself. “I only thought people who weren’t long for the job could talk to him like that.”
“Generally true, but he knows I’m irreplaceable.”
I shake my head at her before addressing Joe. “Unfortunately, she’s telling the truth. I read somewhere that it’s a good idea to have at least one person in your organization who’s willing to speak truth to power.”
His eyes dart back to her before fixing me with a wolfish grin. “And is it?”
“Well. Yes.” I adjust my stance, a little uncomfortable. “I suppose she’s saved me from a disaster or two. She can be somewhat more diplomatic than I am. She can also be somewhat less diplomatic when the situation calls for it.”
“You don’t say.”
He’s teasing me, and that definitely should not make my cock twitch or heat creep up my neck into my face.
“Why am I being ganged up on in my own house?”
Joe’s eyes track the color on my cheeks. I swallow, and his all-seeing eyes track that as well.
“I don’t know. Maybe it’s because one of them is a literal gang member?” Sherry says, bumping Joe’s hip with her own.
