Page 114 of Protection (Mobsters + Billionaires 2)
“Yeah. I do.”
I practically smash him against the wall, kissing him so deeply I’m barely aware of the door opening.
“Oh, dinner and a show,” Luca says, grinning at us.
“Just one of the many services we offer at Tracker Technologies,” Mads cracks, sliding down from our embrace.
He’s gotten better about not recoiling after joking with Luca, and I can tell Luca appreciates his trust.
We walk in, and surprise, surprise, Ford got here before us. He's usually running late, busy guy that he is, but today he’s standing at the bar nervously fidgeting with his martini. I look to Luca, wondering if something happened between them. He shakes his head and gestures for us to join them.
Before we can even exchange pleasantries, Ford blurts out, “My family is so horrified you were put in danger in their town. They've never had an incident like that before, and the market has always been very safe. Hospitality is incredibly important to Thai culture. That you were kidnapped while staying at their place…it’s awful. They apologize, and so do I.”
Mads brings his friend in for a deep hug. “It had nothing to do with your family or even the market. They got the information from my driver,” he says, looking down. “And then they followed me to Jakarta, then to Phuket. Please tell your family that I hold no ill will. And besides, I'm here now. Perfectly safe.”
Mads glances at me, and I lift my chin. He comes in for a quick peck on my jaw, then grabs Ford and takes him to the kitchen.
Luca and I walk over to the living room, giving them their privacy.
“Where's Hopper?” I turn to my side, expecting him to appear right by my shoulder.
“I've got him working on something with one of the families. “
“Oh yeah? Good news?”
Luca has been reaching out and creating alliances where he can. He’s still dealing with a few families who think of him as soft because he lives in a Manhattan high-rise and prefers a less violent approach.
Luca sips from his old-fashioned. “Probably not. Two of the Byrne brothers were arrested the other day. Stupid. Real stupid. Only, they’re telling the DA they've got information on me.”
“What information would the damn Irish mob have on you?”
“Nothing. They’re making it up wholesale. But they’re one of the families that went after Joe in the park, you remember? And they didn't like it when we sent their guys back a little bruised up.”
I grumble under my breath. “They were more than a little bruised up.”
“You know what I mean. Anyway, just as we thought we were winding down with Hopper’s RICO agent, they're over here manufacturing new problems for me.”
Anxiety builds in my gut, knowing the nature of these mob families is that, while we hope for peace, a few people will insist on war.
“Did Hopper send you a copy of the selfie he got with the RICO agent at the airport?”
Luca sighs, shaking his head. “Yeah.”
“It was good enough for facial recognition, I believe. I know he's got a cat and mouse going on, but…this supersedes that, of course.”
“Of course. I'll be honest with you though. It would break Hopper's heart if his agent ever truly got the drop on him.”
“You already warned Hop what happens if the RICO agent goes after him.”
“He knows I'm telling the truth. But I don't want it to come to that, you know? Do me a favor. The smart one from Mads company, the one with the split tongue who helped us?”
“Ryder.”
“You think she can find out some information on him? Something that might get him kicked off the case?”
“Hopper won't like that.”
“I know.”
