Page 64 of Protection (Mobsters + Billionaires 2)
“Stop bragging. We know you've got your Joe, and he's perfect,” I grump, actually really happy for my friend.
Rand shakes his head. “I’m not bragging. I thought I was commiserating.”
“Think about the first time you were with Joe. Now imagine that was the only time, and he acted like it never happened the second you left his bed.”
Rand rubs the back of his neck, shaking his head. “No…yeah, no. Especially how he left me this morning…no.”
I gesture to the sky, feeling like I’m shouting into the void. “Well, that's where I find myself. And it's my own damn fault.”
Ford shakes his head. “How can it be your fault?”
“Because I told him he made me feel safer than anyone ever had.” Rand and Ford smile encouragingly, but I hold up a hand, rolling my eyes. “And then I made a stupid joke like, ‘Of course you make me feel safe. You're my security guy.’”
Not waiting for another set of twin grimaces, I lightly bang my forehead on the table.
“Oh nooo,” Ford says, a fair response given my monumental stupidity.
Rand tries to hide his reaction, kind as he says, “Look, I've known Edgerton for a while now. He's a good man and excellent at what he does, but he’s incredibly reserved. I never saw him crack, not even once when he was on my personal detail. Only Luca and Hopper can loosen him up, and even then, just a little bit. I'm assuming this wasn’t his idea?”
“I drunkenly sat on his lap,” I admit, burying my face in my hands.
“That'll do it,” Rand cracks.
“And there may have been wine and a super romantic walk through the city.”
Ford smiles. “It’s like you two were accidentally wooing each other all day. Sounds nice.”
In retrospect, I wonder if there was anything accidental about it at all.
“Yeah, and then thirty seconds after he rearranges my guts, he goes all quiet mouse, and I’ve barely gotten ten words from him since.”
Grabbing my hand, Ford reassures me. “You didn't do anything wrong, Mads. But I'm guessing a guy who holds so tightly to the rules probably has a reason for doing so. And unless you know what that reason is, you’re going to keep running into walls, and you won't know why they're there.”
I sigh. “I think I know.”
They both raise their brows.
“Spill it, Laghari,” Rand says.
I let out a breath, fluttering my lips. “Did you know Anthony is Luca’s consigliere?”
Rand looks surprised, but Ford looks…sad.
“Did you know, Ford?”
He shakes his head. “No. I just…I like Luca. A lot. More than I probably should. But damn. He’s got a consigliere. That means he’s the real deal.”
“Yeah?” I ask, not quite following.
He shrugs. “Well, you’ve got what the media would call the traditional Mafia, the Five Families. Not as powerful as they used to be, and you’ve still got to step lightly, but they aren’t the only ones in operation. From what I can tell, the Stefanos used to tangle with the Gambinos, but that changed when Luca took over.”
“Alright, Google-fu,” I joke, snorting to myself.
Ford shrugs, still sad.
Rubbing Ford’s arm, Rand says, “Joe is convinced Luca made some sort of non-compete agreement, turned over or shuttered any businesses in competition, and he stays way out of their family dynamics. He works the wealthy angle, and he’s been helpful with local politicians.”
I shake my head. “Like a boutique mobster for the discerning outlaw.” I turn to Ford, questioning, “And that disqualifies him from the running?”
