Page 135 of Power & Punishment

“It’s over,” she spits, keeping her gun steady and her shoulders locked.

Adrian lifts his hands even though I know his brain is already calculating a way out of this. Unfortunately for him, I’ll never let Adrian Moretti get the jump on me again. And neither will Mia, judging by the sharp look in her eye.

“You’re not going to shoot me. You don’t have the stomach for it.”

A moment passes by as I watch her back tense up and her jaw flex. She’s thinking about it. Ready to end his life. But she’s smarter than that.

“You’re right,” Mia tilts her head, “but not about having the stomach for it. Killing you would be too easy. You’re going to prison and whatever happens after that is out of my control.”

Adrian scoffs, throwing his head back. “If you think you can lock me up, you’re more naïve than I thought. You’re forgetting about my network. Besides, you have no proof.”

“Vince left records. And I have back-ups if you think you destroyed them. Not to mention we have proof of your real identity and your connection to Enzo Caruso. Maybe enough to put you both behind bars. All your supporters will quickly abandon ship when they realize what a colossal fuck up you are,” Mia explains, sharpening her knife with every word.

The color from his face drains.

I move closer to her. “It’s over, Adrian.”

“No,” he says, his composure completely gone. “Enzo will kill me before he lets me testify.”

“That sounds like your problem,” I shrug. “I’m guessing he won’t help you fake your death a second time.”

Before he can let out a scream, pounding footsteps echo down the hallway, and Dante storms into the room like a homicidal tornado with Michael close behind.

Dante takes one look at his sister and swells up with rage.

“You fucking bastard⁠—”

Michael grabs his shoulder before he can launch himself toward Adrian. “We need him alive.”

He eases back and rests his eyes on Mia again, his gaze hovering over the bruises and scrapes on her face.

“I’m okay,” Mia says, reading his mind.

“You don’t look okay,” Dante growls.

“If I say I’m fine, then I⁠—”

Movement flashes in my peripheral.

It’s quick.

I’d miss it if I wasn’t on high alert.

The injured giant by the doorway rips out a second gun from inside his boot and points it straight at Mia.

“Mia!” I yell, slamming into her and sending us both crashing toward the floor right as the gun fires.

I don’t hear the shot as it explodes through the room.

All I feel is the pain tearing across my shoulder and leaking out onto the floor.

Mia screams my name, but the sound is muffled.

I think people are moving behind us. Probably shooting too. But all I care about is Mia beneath me, frantically grabbing my face. Is this a bad time to kiss her?

“What?” she says, flipping us over and straddling me.

I must’ve said that last part out loud.