Page 61 of Protection (Mobsters + Billionaires 2)
I turn back to the woman and introduce myself in Ukrainian. Or at least I hope I do. My Ukrainian is shit.
The woman smiles and winks at Hopper. He doesn’t know how to respond to flirting, so he looks confused.
Turning to me, she says in perfect English, “Your Ukrainian is even worse than your Russian, and that’s saying something.”
Deciding on diplomacy, I offer my hand. “My name is Edgerton.”
“Anthony Edgerton. I know.”
Hopper makes a face, and I rest my hand on my gun.
Holding up her hand, she continues, “My name is Olga Kovalenko. You are Anthony Edgerton, the childhood best friend and consigliere to Luciano Stefano, head of the Stefano crime family.” Turning to Hopper, she continues, “I still can’t figure out where the name Hopper came from. According to your files, your real name is—”
Hopper’s expression changes from serious to serial killer in the space of a blink. Olga snaps her mouth shut. Hell, I take a step back.
Cracking his neck, Hopper’s tone is even, smooth as a viper. “We don’t say that name. Ever. Not even behind my back. I’ll know.”
She opens her mouth, then closes it, acknowledging his words with a sharp nod.
“Speaking of which,” I say, uncomfortable whenever Hopper gets like this. “How did you know my identity?”
“I cloned Dr. Laghari’s phone.”
“When?” I snap out, mentally calculating which of my men will be getting a pink slip today.
“Prior to his becoming your client. Don’t fire your crew on my behalf—Dr. Laghari left himself wide open to surveillance for many months.”
I close my eyes and try not to fucking pop this woman in the mouth for getting Mads involved in whatever this is.
“And what do you know about him?”
“Oh, most everything. Are you aware he has a Russian problem?”
My head snaps up at that. “What do you mean, a Russian problem?”
“I mean, he hired you because he’s being stalked. He’s right, of course, but I’m not the one stalking him.”
I raise my brows in disbelief, and she grins.
“I’d be a terrible stalker if I let myself be seen every time.”
“Then why do it? What does this have to do with the Russians?” I ask, losing patience.
“To provide visible protection and…to encourage him to hire a bodyguard.”
Hopper and I snort. Even now, he’s fighting me.
She shakes her head. “We underestimated how stubborn he would be.” She pauses. “You must understand. Even though he created this polymer with good intentions, it could very quickly be used to break the backs of people fighting off oppressive regimes. It was the Russians who nearly got to him on the train platform a few months ago. I know that I frightened him, but he has no clue how close he came to being kidnapped.”
My heart squeezes in my chest, fear and gratitude washing over me. I stifle the urge to hug a Ukrainian spy from an unknown agency, but Hopper has no such hesitation. He wraps his arms around her, laying his head on her shoulder. “Thank you for saving Mads. He’s very special to Anthony, even if Anthony is being stupid about his feelings for him.”
“Please stop hugging me.” Her tone is stern, but her eyes are amused.
“Sorry.” Hop steps back and gives her a quick nod.
She turns to me. “Hopper is right, by the way. You are being stupid with Dr. Laghari.” I open my mouth to protest, but Olga Kovalenko silences me with a wave of her hand. “More important, however, is securing the polymer from the Russians.”
Hopper shakes his head. “They’ll never get it if Ryder has anything to say about it.”
