Page 97 of Extradition (Mobsters + Billionaires 1)
I laugh to myself, wondering if unfiltered honesty might be the one compatibility between these two.
“Well, I might be here to rescue you then. Luciano Stefano, meet Ford Bradley.”
Recognition crosses Ford’s face, and his Adam’s apple bobs nervously. Like he might know exactly who he is.
Luca shifts, instantly more elegant and charming. “Ford. How lovely to meet you. My friends call me Luca.”
“Oh, uh. Hello. Um…my friends call me Ford.”
I hold back a laugh and Luca looks utterly bewitched.
“Anyway, I wanted to introduce the two of you because Luca’s nephew is also more of a spreadsheet fellow, good with numbers, probably not big on small talk. Been looking for a foot in the door.”
“Oh.” Ford blinks up at Luca, a mixture of terror and—maybe?—arousal on his face. “Um…where did your nephew go to school?”
Luca beams like a black light. “London School of Economics. Just graduated top in his class. Looking for something ground level. He’s quiet and a little quirky, but he’s a sweet kid.”
Ford takes a deep breath and nods to himself. Putting his palms together, he plasters on a smile. “What I wouldn’t give for a quiet, well-educated intern.” Pointing to himself, he jokes, “And there’s something to be said for quirky and sweet.”
Luca winks at me then puts his arm around Ford’s waist. “Here, let me grab you a drink from the bar, and we can talk about him.”
Ford’s eyes become two large moons and, once again, I’m not sure if he’s feeling excited or slightly assaulted. I raise my brow in his direction. He gives me a nervous smile before letting his eyes drift down Luca’s elegant figure.
With a shuddering inhale and perhaps the tiniest whiff of regret, he steps out of Luca’s embrace and pulls a card from his wallet. “I’m afraid that duty…uh, calls. But feel free to have him email his résumé to me, and I’ll be happy to chat with him.”
Luca bows his head, gracious in defeat, just like he said he’d be. “Of course. I’ll have him contact you directly, so you don’t have his very biased uncle trying to twist your arm.”
Ford’s eyeballs about pop out of his head, and Luca steps back, his hands up. “Metaphorically speaking only. If he works out for you, great. If not, that’s okay too.”
Ford gulps and blinks, nodding a little too rapidly. “That sounds good, Mr. Stefano.”
“Luca,” he reminds him gently.
“Luca,” Ford says before practically melting away from us.
There’s more disappointment in Luca’s eyes than I would’ve guessed, but his wry grin remains in place. “You win some, you lose some. I just wish I hadn’t terrified him. I swear, I’m a nice guy once you get to know me.”
I snort. “Yeah, once you get past the bodies piling up in the Hudson, you’re a real charmer.”
Shit, I can’t believe I just said that.
Luca raises his brow at me, then chuckles. I think he actually likes me, which is weird. I catch sight of Ford looking back at us, biting his lip before slipping back into the crowd.
I grin at the surprisingly human mobster in front of me. “Looks like he’s interested and terrified in equal measure. Do with that what you will.”
Luca’s eyes track something across the room, and he leans in. “You think so?”
Rubbing the back of my head, I respond, “Maybe. Some guys are timid and need a gentle approach. Not, you know, putting your hands on them from the word go.”
I immediately suck in my lips, pretty sure I’m about to have a bounty put on my fucking head for telling the head of the Stefano crime family to keep his hands to himself.
Instead, his expression becomes thoughtful. “Yeah, you’re right. I’ll keep that in mind. I’ve seen him at a couple of these things. He’s nervous but sure of himself. Like a bird, so colorful. And…I like the glasses.”
A man appears at Luca’s side, one of his security guys, if I had to guess. “I like glasses too, boss.”
He’s good-looking, around the same age as me, with tattoos, dark hair, and a sexy scar across his brow. But there’s something off about his eyes. They’re a pretty blue, but they have this intense energy about them.
“Fuck, Hopper. What’d I tell you about sidling up to me like that?” Luca says, smacking the guy’s arm. “Your RICO guy here?”
