Page 31 of Undercover Billionaire

“Was.”

“Retired, and now you’re carrying on the family tradition?”

“He went undercover with the mob in New York.” The words took an obvious toll on Adam’s mood. “His cover was blown. He never got out.” He blinked back what could have been a tear.

I laid my hand over his. “I’m sorry.” There was no way I could really understand that level of pain. We hadn’t lost anyone in our family, except Debbie years ago.

He twisted his glass and stared at it. “My goal is to eventually get into the New York Organized Crime Task Force and do what I can to make my mark. That’s why I joined the Bureau.”

I handed him back the photo. “I’m sure you will.”

His hand came behind my neck to pull me in for another short kiss. When he pulled back, his eyes bore into mine. “I also joined to meet the pretty girls.”

I pulled away, unable to hold back my laughter, and punched his shoulder. “You’re terrible. Why do you say stuff like that?”

“It made you laugh, didn’t it?”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

“You’re prettier with a smile on your face. And it’s easier than tickling you.”

I smiled again. “Thank you.” It was the oddest way to give me a compliment. Cartwright or not, he was charming. Looking into his eyes, I sensed a good man, one I could trust, and besides, it was Daddy’s fight, not mine.

“If you’re on a date, you should be happy, shouldn’t you?”

I nodded. “I am.”

He smirked. “What affectionate nickname do your boyfriends give you?”

I couldn’t come up with one that stuck out. “I don’t know. Honey, I guess.”

He huffed. “That won’t do. You deserve something way better than that.” He was going all out with this fake-boyfriend routine.

“And what do the girls call you?” I countered.

“Studmuffin.”

“They do not.”

“Maybe not.” He shrugged. “But they’re all thinking it.”

I laughed again. He was probably right.

After another hour of banter, he asked for the check.

I pulled out my credit card, but he insisted on paying, just like a date—a better date than I could remember in forever.

He followed me out to the street. “Last chance. Are you sure you’re up to this?” It had to be the fifth time he’d asked how certain I was.

Fishing in my purse, I grabbed the proof. “Hold out your hand.”

He smiled as I handed over the panties I’d removed in the bathroom earlier.

“As ordered. Any more questions, DA?”

He chuckled and slid them into his pocket. “No. I think that answers it.”

I was committed. I’d set the combination, and there was no turning back. I was the bait on Adam’s hook to catch this bastard.

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