Page 35 of Power & Punishment

“How the hell am I supposed to investigate an alley behind an active mafia outfit?”

“I don’t know and I don’t care,” he sighs, reaching behind me and grabbing the water bottle I left on the counter. The sick bastard undoes the cap and takes a long drink. One drop of water misses his mouth and drips down his chin, making my hands itch at my sides.

“Of course not,” I scowl. “Now if you’re done ruining my evening, I’d really like to go to bed.”

“Thanks for the invitation, but I don’t think we’re there yet,” he says, turning around to head toward the door. “I’ll see you at the meeting with your brother.”

“Why the hell would I go to that? Dante isn’t going to want me anywhere near it.”

“Having you there will remind your brother that I’m not asking for his help anymore—I’m demanding it.”

I bite the inside of my cheek, fighting the words that will no doubt reel him in for more delightful banter. I need to play along even if it makes me want to scream.

“Fine.”

He doesn’t reply. He simply flashes a smile of victory before turning his back to me. I follow him to the door so I can make sure to lock it, even though I know it won’t stop him from coming back in if he wants to.

Before he places his hand on the doorknob, he stops and turns toward me.

“One last thing. When we kiss again, I’m not going to let you run away. Think long and hard about that before you offer yourself up to a man like me. I’ll ruin you, build you back up, and have so much fun tearing it all down again.”

And there’s no doubt in my mind that this promise will stick.

11

LEO

“Ithink I’ve got something,” Michael says quietly on the other end of the phone.

“Make it quick. I have a meeting in five minutes,” I say, pushing down a yawn.

Breaking into Mia’s apartment last night wasn’t my best idea. I thought maybe if I saw her, I’d be able to convince myself she’s just another step in my plan. Unfortunately, she has leeched herself onto my brain and is the only one capable of fixing this unbearable ache inside me.

“Leo?” Michael asks on the other side of the line, pulling me from the obsession infecting my brain.

“Sorry. Can you repeat that?”

I hear an annoyed gurgle in response. “I said Little Russo’s partner has information. I tapped into their call last night, but he was smart enough to wait until they were in person to tell her. I think they’re meeting in an hour at some gym.”

“Give me half an hour and come pick me up,” I answer, gripping the device in my hand.

“Really? But you never⁠—”

“The day I start explaining myself is the day I stop needing you,” I snap, cutting him off. A grating pressure settles behind my eyes.

“Fine,” he says before the line goes dead. What a diva.

I toss my phone in my desk drawer and rise to my feet, stretching out my limbs. I bring my wrist up to my nose and inhale the sickly-sweet scent of vanilla still clinging to my skin from last night.

Mia kept me waiting too long, so I decided to quell my boredom by going through her things.

Her apartment was bare. I could tell she didn’t spend much time there. She didn’t have many personal effects aside from the heart-shaped jewelry box I sifted through and a bottle of my new favorite smell. I left the cheap pile of jewelry alone and swiped the perfume.

I wonder if she’s noticed yet?

I was almost giddy thinking about the way she’d scream and curse my name.

“I’ve never seen a man stare wistfully out his window as much as you do.”