Page 38 of Protection (Mobsters + Billionaires 2)
“I don’t know if he’s gay, but he definitely thought you were cute. And I’m guessing his team doesn’t know that particular detail about him.”
“You got all that from a glance?”
I finally spare Mads a look and try not to puff up at the wonder in his eyes. “Mads, I am very good at what I do. There were six men and one woman on that detail. If there had been trouble, that man, though the largest, would have been the easiest to put down. He hides it, but he favors his left knee. I would have gone through five of the remaining operatives without breaking a sweat, and the final operative, the woman, would have given me the most grief.”
“Why? Because you won’t hit a woman?”
I look at him, confused. “I’ll neutralize anyone who comes after you, regardless of gender. And anyway, I could tell by her stance that she’s trained in martial arts. I still give myself the advantage, but she’d probably put me in the hospital.”
“I guess they shouldn’t have given you thirty minutes to figure out their weaknesses.”
I grin. “I knew that before we got out of the car.”
He gulps and sinks down into his scarf, then goofs off, talking to himself. “Suck it, Cobra operatives. I’ve got an Avenger on my side.”
I allow myself a quiet laugh as we pull up to the hotel, right next to the conference center being used. The architecture isn’t quite what I'd hoped it would be. It’s tastefully modern with clean landscaping and soft jazz playing in the lobby, and it barely looks like I left the city, let alone the States.
We pass two more security sweeps before making it to the check-in desk, and Mads raises his brow at me.
“Fine. I’ll admit the security here is sufficient.”
He chokes back a laugh. “Are you admitting you were wrong about something? Are you allowed?”
“Shut up. You’ll notice they let me in the building.”
“That’s because I made a call.” He accompanies his brag with a little shimmy that’s entirely too adorable, though he’s still shivering from the chill in the air. I could so easily make him warm by pulling him in close, but…nope. Not going there.
Meanwhile, Mads is still shaking his tiny ass. “I love that I've completely broken you down. You are a hardass of the highest order, and I have broken you down.”
“Mads,” I say, trying to put little authority in my voice, as though that’s ever worked.
“Shh,” he says, holding up a finger. “I want to enjoy the moment.”
I roll my eyes and tug him along as I follow the concierge up to our shared suite. We plan to fly back this afternoon, so it didn’t make sense to get two rooms.
Mads walks over to the bedroom and starfishes face down on the bed while the concierge arranges our minimal luggage. I tip her and then stand at the foot of the bed, laughing at him.
“I can’t believe you took the bed when the couch is clearly Mads-sized.”
He rolls over and sticks out his tongue while pointing to himself. “Billionaire.” He then points to me. “The help.”
I shake my head because he can’t even pull off overprivileged asshole properly.
“Whatever. If I asked for the bed, you would totally give it to me.”
“Are you calling me an easy mark?” he asks, pushing himself up by his elbows. With his messy hair and sleepy eyes, he looks debauched. My mind flashes an image of me sinking to my knees and rubbing my face in his crotch.
Okay, jet lag. Back up. And find out if Luca needs any help with his newest boys when you get home.
“I dunno, Mads,” I crack, “if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck…”
He sits up, his mouth at an unhappy angle. “Anthony, I know we play around, but I am not a pushover.”
His change in demeanor is so severe that I reach out for him, unable to stop myself from touching him, gripping his shoulder to angle him so he can see my expression.
“I know. I was joking. You're someone who knows their own mind. You've built a goddamn empire, and you fight me every step of the way with your security. I was being facetious.”
Mads grins sheepishly. “Sorry. I’ve been pushed around by literal world powers, and I don’t want them thinking they can get away with it, you know.”
