Page 94 of Attraction (Mobsters + Billionaires 3)
That stops me. “Why would you do that?”
“Because I think Mr. Bradley is a good person, and the brothers want to put a hit out on him.”
Everything goes quiet.
“They want towhat?”
Hughes looks around like the entire fucking place is bugged. I happen to know for a fact that it isn’t, but his anxiety is putting my teeth on edge.
“Answer the fucking question.”
His gaze locks on me. “They don’t like you. They think you’re weak. And they want to hurt you however they can.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
“Their cousin-slash-consigliere keeps telling them to not bring the fight to you like that, probably because he’s not an idiot.”
“That’d be a goddamn first for that family.”
“Truth. Only now it’s created this rift. Family members are taking sides. Like I said, dangerous.”
I run my hand over my mouth. Fuck the slow play. I could send Hopper in with a butter knife and take down their entire organization right now.
Reading my mind, Hughes continues, “Look, I don’t give a shit about a bunch of Mafia assholes killing each other. But Ford is a good man, and you’ve got him wrapped up in this fucking life, and he doesn’t deserve that.”
“Why the fuck do you care so much? You in love with him?”
“No, but you are. That puts a huge target on his back and is the kind of thing that ends up with blood on the streets.”
In a previous life, I’d take the gun that I’m definitely carrying and fucking pistol-whip him for daring to talk to me like that. But I’m not that guy anymore, and what’s worse, he’s right.
Most of the families, Italian, Irish, and beyond, have agreed not to go after family members. But the Byrnes…they’re a different breed.
And I’m too selfish to let Ford go.
“Thank you for the warning, Agent Hughes. I’ll double his security and do what I can to prevent outright war.”
Easy to do if you cut off the head of the organization.
Hughes tilts his head, looking at me. “I don’t get you, Stefano.”
“I am a mystery,” I respond, smiling.
Hopper, unable to help himself, looms next to Hughes’ shoulder.
“It’s true. I don’t even fully understand him myself, and he’s my brother.”
To his credit, Hughes doesn’t jump.
“I believe I’ve asked you to stop doing that, Mr. Hopper,” he says, his voice measured steel.
Most people don’t have the wherewithal to tell Hopper to back off, but I think Hughes understands he’s not most people.
Hopper steps back. “Shit. Sorry, RICO,” he says, patting his shoulder. Squeezing it. Staring at his hand on the agent’s shoulder.
“Hop?”
Hopper grimaces at Hughes, finally releasing him. “Sorry. I have an update for Luca.”
