Page 3 of Attraction (Mobsters + Billionaires 3)
“Do tell.”
He sighs. “Keep the guns.”
That is, in fact, the craziest thing I’ve ever heard an officer of the law say.
“Agent Hughes, if I did have a gun trade, wouldn’t you want me to taper off? Aren’t fewer guns on the streets a better idea?”
“Theoretically, yes. But let’s examine what happened with the drugs in Manhattan. A major source has mysteriously dried up, but it’s not like the demand for oxy and dust went away.”
I nod, understanding his dilemma. “Which is why the Byrne brothers suddenly have a new line of capital.”
“Yes. Nature abhors a vacuum.”
I clench my jaw. It’s frustrating, this brand-new feeling of helplessness. I try to do good, and all it does is make room for somebody else to come in and do bad. I should’ve seen it coming, but my focus has been split.
It’d be smart to unsplit it, but drug-dealing mobsters barely register next to Ford Bradley, the elusive man I’ve been preoccupied with formonths. Even now, with an FBI agent in my office, my mind drifts to the magenta-framed glasses he wore to last week’s poker night. Fucking adorable.
Hm.
The FBI agent in question clears his throat. Ah, yes. The Byrne brothers.
“With all due respect, Hughes, what the hell can I do about any of that?”
“Don’t let the Byrne family take over the gun trade. Unlikesome peoplewho—hypothetically—run a surprisingly ethical gun trade, the brothers have no ethics, and I don’t want to know what Manhattan looks like if they are in charge of the guns.”
“But, Agent Hughes, isn’t the state of New York in charge of the guns?”
“You would think.”
“Well, this has been an extraordinary conversation, and if I happen to know anybody in the gun trade, I will pass along your request.”
“Thank you.”
“But I doubt anyone would want to stay in that business for very long, especially if they’re trying to better the community.”
Hughes stands, looking at me sideways. “Respectfully, what the hell are you playing at? Are you actually going straight?”
I touch one of the delicate petals in the pretty bouquet. “Come now, Agent Hughes. No one’s ever accused me of being straight.”
He snorts. “Me either.”
On that note, he leaves my office, giving me far too much to think about. I stop by Mary’s desk on the way out, picking up her newest picture frame.
“Kayleen is growing so fast, Mary. How old is she now?”
Mary’s naturally smiley face brightens. “She’s eight months tomorrow, and she’s starting to crawl. Pray for me.”
I chuckle, happy to see her enjoying motherhood. “I don’t know if my prayers are worth a damn, but I’ll send one up, just in case.”
“I’ll take what I can get.”
“How are things going upstairs?”
I bought an older hotel a few years ago and revamped it with luxury suites, a swank bar, and a PIN-protected back entrance. Some of my escorts prefer to go out and some stay in, so I figured having a nice place to come home to would entice my high-dollar people to stay with me.
It’s worked pretty well so far.
“Been an uneventful day,” she says, wiping her forehead for effect.
