Page 18 of Attraction (Mobsters + Billionaires 3)
I’ll take it.
6
FORD
“So? How did it go?”Mads asks, holding a Marvel T-shirt to my chest. We’re in the garment district, and he’s pulled me into some kind of teen clothing warehouse.
I’m pretty sure the cheap fabric paint is giving me hives, and I push away the offensive article of clothing.
“How didwhatgo?” I ask, knowing damn well what he’s asking about.
His disgruntled scowl is cute and only deepens when I start laughing.
“Your date with Luca, of course.”
Grimacing at the rows of poorly made T-shirts, I put on an unaffected air. “I didnotgo on a date with Luca.” Holding up a finger, I tap my nose. “Wedidsee each other at the gala.”
“Seeeach other? Like, in passing?” Mads narrows his eyes, hands on his hips. “Rand and I bought those tickets specifically for you to go together.”
“That’s interesting because Rand said that he and Joe purchased those tickets but sadly weren’t able to attend.”
My security guy, a muscle-bound Pakistani-Italian man from the Bronx named Kej, snorts. Mads glares back at him, and he holds up his hands. “Sorry, just pretend I’m not here.”
Mads turns back to me, plastering a smile on his face. “Oops. I totally meant that Rand and Joe bought the tickets. Yeah, that. But seriously—you didn’t go with him?”
“No. As Luca explained to Rand, he had prior obligations and would miss the first part.”
I suspect those obligations have something to do with the less legal side of his organization, but I keep that to myself. Meanwhile, Mads’ disappointed pout is amusing as hell. He really is rooting for us.
Oh hell. I decide to end his misery.
“We did go to dinner after.”
Mads’ mouth drops open and his eyes bug out of his head. “Were youevergoing to tell me that?”
I shrug, pushing away another of his suspect T-shirt choices.
“Sneaky bastard.”
I send a sly grin his way and finally answer. “I was definitely going to tell you. But only after torturing you for a little while.”
Somehow, we’ve edged into the Yaoi T-shirt section of this crowded, low-ceilinged, never-ending warehouse.
“Jerk. Give me the details. Did you let him see you put away food like a trash compactor?”
I chuckle, nodding. “Oh, he got the entire show, even let me eat off his plate. He did ask the question, though, which I let him know is annoying.”
Mads holds up a shirt with a popular anime couple, and I give him a thumbs-up. It is cute, and it’s the first one that actually fits him.
Mads drags me through a few more sections, with Kej a respectful distance behind us. Finally, having chosen his fill of T-shirts, we get into a long checkout line. Thankfully, it’s moving quickly. Mads looks up at me, rubbing his chin.
“Luca really asked if you have an eating disorder?”
I nod.
Another disgruntled scowl. “Rude. Though…I have to say I am impressed that you called out, you know…” He pauses, looking around. Dropping to a whisper, he continues, “A mobster.”
“He handled it gracefully, Maddie.” I pause as he pays. “You do know that the guy who showed up to save you from the literal Russian government isn’t some dangerous guy ready to fly off the handle, right?”
