Page 39 of Attraction (Mobsters + Billionaires 3)
Anthony chuckles, knowing the score. “It’s an interesting mix, for sure. But hey, you looked awfully dapper on Page 6 this morning.”
I wish the Page 6 people would lay off the whole gentleman mobster thing. A highly fictionalized version of Saturday night was published, along with several photographs of Ford and me from a different event. I wasn’t impressed by the byline, but we looked damn sexy together.
“I bet if you showed up at their offices, they’d stop running with your picture,” Anthony says, getting snarky with me. I blame Mads.
“I’m actively avoiding trying to scare people, Anthony. Besides, if I wanted to terrify them, I’d send Hopper.”
We laugh.
Anthony knocks on the desk. “It’s a good thing you’re doing.”
I shake my head. “I dunno. I let them talk me into sitting on the board of this damn Rogues’ Masqueradeagain…it’s all piling up.”
“Ford going with you?”
“To the masquerade? No fucking way.”
“Luca.”
“We just had that encounter in Brooklyn. I don’t want to remind him…”
“…of who you are?” Anthony asks, crossing his arms.
“Yeah.”
“He knows who you are, brother. There’s at least some part of him that is attracted to that along with everything else.”
“Yeah, but…”
“The Byrne brothers aren’t going to be at the masquerade, and for the last two years, everyone’s been on their best behavior. It might not be a bad thing for him to see that regular, non-Page 6 mobster types can be charitable too, you know?”
I rub my forehead. There it is again—that incomplete thought about the goddamn Byrne brothers. Something important.
And of course I want Ford to go with me.
“What if I come with Mads? He’s been begging to go.”
“Why, because he wants to see all of the mobsters?” I chuckle. Mads will have those guys lapping out of his hand.
“Yeah. I had to let him down easy and explain that most Mafia types aren’t as handsome as you and I.”
“It’s a good thing we’ll all be wearing masks.”
“True story.”
I chuckle at the thought of dainty Mads wandering around a room full of mobsters like a kid at the zoo.
“Fuck it, why not. Ford will definitely go if you two are going to be there.”
“Deal,” Anthony says, kissing the side of my head.
The feeling of family comes over me again and the elusive thought from before finally solidifies.
“You know, Agent Hughes mentioned the Byrne brother’s new consigliere.”
“The cousin, right?” Anthony asks, easily following the subject change.
“Seems like he thinks we shouldn’t assume he’s as dumb as the brothers. Slippery, I think, is the word he used.”
