Page 10 of Power & Punishment

Adrian’s lips twitch.

“And that’s what I love about you.”

“Michael, wait out here. I won’t be long,” I say, making eye contact with my driver through the rearview mirror. He responds with a curt nod.

I take a deep breath as I step out of the car and stare up at the huge neon sign. Every time I come here, I feel a fresh wave of nausea breeze through me with a hint of pure resentment. Who knew having a bunch of criminals bankroll your election campaign would involve so much shmoozing? It feels like I have a clingy girlfriend that needs constant reassurance.

The bouncer gives me a silent nod as I make my way inside. Music vibrates off the glass walls of the club as a dancer finishes her set. If you ask me, a strip club is a little cliché for a mafia front. People pretty much expect it at this point.

I dodge a few doe-eyed glances of dancers trying to lure me to a private room. Why pay for a dance when some girl with daddy issues will do it for free? And in the comfort of my own home, where I’m allowed to touch them as much as I like.

As soon as I push past the thick velvet curtain, I spot Enzo and his posse on their pedestal in the corner. He’s not a large man, and his comb-over salt-and-pepper look isn’t the most intimidating. But his looks aren’t what got him where he is.

When Enzo sees me, his face lights up as he not-so-gently shoves one of his girls off his lap. I swallow a laugh, looking at the way her lips pout.

“Leo,” he says, gesturing his hand to the seat across from him. “You’re late.”

“I had a late meeting,” I lie. I simply didn’t want to come. He keeps smiling, but I know better than to let my guard down.

A drink appears in front of me, but I leave it untouched. Enzo notices. “Not in the mood for bourbon? I can have one of the girls bring you out something else.”

“This is fine,” I say, settling in my seat. I keep my shoulders square and aimed right at him.

“You look tired,” he says, taking a sip of his own drink. “Politics wearing you down?”

“People wear me out,” I say flatly, “the politics have nothing to do with it.” It’s the first honest thing I’ve said all night.

“I’ll drink to that,” Enzo says, raising his glass and eyeing my own. I finally break down and take a sip. The smooth liquid goes down like butter. “You’ve been busy. Very visible.”

“I like to keep up appearances,” I reply, setting my glass down. “Money isn’t the only thing that wins campaigns.”

Enzo’s lip quivers.

Most people miss small things like that because they’re too busy being afraid of him. But I’m not. Men like Enzo have weaknesses just like anyone else. You just have to know where to look.

“Well, I like some longevity to my investments so that’s good to hear. I am a little worried about you being the wrong kind of visible. The police are poking around about Vince Russo’s death, and your name has come up quite a bit.”

My fingernails curl into the meat of my thighs, but I keep my face completely neutral. “Adrian handled it. Russo got a hold of one of my valet tickets.”

“Now that’s bad luck,” he huffs, shaking his head. “It’s a good thing you have such good connections.”

“Luck had nothing to do with it,” I say, my hands fully clenched underneath the table. He wants me to grovel. To thank him. But that’s not going to happen. “I have some news about that zoning subcommittee vote in a few weeks.”

Enzo retreats back into his cheery, greasy self. “Great. Go on then.”

“There’s been an agenda addition. It’s easy to miss if you’re not paying close attention. It’s framed as a redevelopment initiative. There are infrastructure improvements and affordable housing language to make it palatable, but buried in the fine print is a variance that loosens restrictions along the waterfront.”

He leans in closer, tapping his fingers against the table. “So that means less restrictions on warehousing and shipping.”

“And hospitality,” I add. “The sky is the limit with this new ordinance.”

Enzo’s smile spreads across his face, and I can see the wheels turning inside his head. “Can you guarantee the vote will pass?”

I tilt my head, smoothing my features into a relaxed confidence. “If it goes to the floor as written, it should easily get passed. There may be a few questions just to keep up appearances, but trust me, I have a way of getting people to do what I want.”

“Good,” he says, lifting his glass. “You’re proving to be exactly what I need, Leo. I think you’ll be seeing another sizable donation to your campaign next year if this vote goes through. Hell, who knows. With a face like that, maybe I’ll make you mayor someday.”

I fight the urge to roll my eyes and force out a smile.