Page 2 of Protection (Mobsters + Billionaires 2)
Edgerton: We're not done talking about this.
I chuckle at his stern demeanor and shake out my arms, barely avoiding smacking the nun seated to my right. After apologizing profusely, I read Edgerton’s determined words again. Imagining his steady voice, the creeped-out feeling bleeds out of my fingertips.
I met Edgerton during my first poker night with Rand’s new friends. They are a colorful group, to be sure, but kind. I remember being a little nervous, having gotten there before Rand. Edgerton was in a serious phone conversation when he glanced at me. That one look was a lightning strike, one I felt down to my toes.
Now, I'm an intelligent, popular guy with a successful company that consistently tops Best Places To Work polls, but my first thought—once my brain restarted—was: that man could crack my spine like a glow stick, and I’d come back for more.
Not a Shakespearean sonnet but one hundred percent true.
Later that night, Edgerton overheard me talking to Rand about the stalker and came right over. He stole one of my business cards, and I've been dodging calls from his office ever since.
I bite my lip, imagining the tight clench of his jaw and the stern disapproval on his lips.
* * *
One efficient andstalker-free train ride later, I make my way up to the apartment of Luca Stefano, one of Manhattan's most dangerous mobsters. In addition to, I dunno—racketeering?—Luca is the one who hosts our weekly mobsters and billionaires poker games.
Like I said, Rand has some colorful friends. To be fair, they’re now my friends too.
Still, I’m a bundle of nerves. Even before the whole subway incident, Luca invited me to come a little early to discuss a possible business deal. He's assured me it's on the up and up, but that doesn't do much to settle my anxiety. Knocking, I send up a small prayer that I don't say something stupid and end up in the Hudson with a new pair of concrete shoes.
Luca opens the door with a warm greeting as he gestures me into his darkly inviting apartment. Even with the primarily charcoal-gray décor, it's spacious, well-lit, and filled with greenery. Not to mention a killer view of Central Park.
“Luca, it's nice to see you.” I enter, returning his smile.
“And you as well, Mads. That's…quite the jacket.”
I'm wearing my new orange puffer jacket because my skinny ass is forever cold, regardless of the weather outside. Come to think of it, I might have made it easier for my stalker to find me. Oops.
“Thank you,” I say, grinning broadly as I smooth the slickery material, loving how it sounds. “It keeps me warm but isn't too hot when I go outside.”
Luca chuckles. “I can see that.”
He points to a small shoe rack by the front door. “I figured I should make a place since you prefer to take your shoes off inside.”
I press my hands together. “You make my Desi heart smile,” I say, still wondering how I got to be friends with a mobster.
“Anything to make my guests comfortable,” he responds graciously.
I toe off my cross-trainers, revealing my Rugrats socks.
Shaking his head, his laugh is fond. “You do have a unique style.”
He leads me to his charming breakfast nook, which carries over the mobster-meets-paranormal librarian theme.
“I like to be comfortable. And I have a small obsession with T-shirts.” Opening my jacket, I proudly show off my alphabet Mafia shirt, done up in the style of The Godfather movie logo.
It seemed like a good idea when I left the house, but Luca goes quiet for a minute, and, uh, shit. He usually lets me tease him, which is fun if slightly terrifying. Then again, I might have just offended Manhattan's most dangerous mobster.
Fuck, I am so stupid sometimes.
He takes one look at my face and cracks up, and I'm not sure I feel any better.
“I didn't mean to offend,” I plead, holding my hands up. “I thought it was like an inside joke. Because you're…you know. And I'm…you know, and we're all kind of…” I limp my wrist as I let my words die off, hoping I don't die with them.
His amused expression makes me think I might have a chance. “Calm the fuck down, Mads. I think it's brilliant. The Godfather is my favorite movie.”
I grin, relieved he's happy. “You know, I've never seen The Godfather. Just bits and pieces I sometimes catch on TV.”
