Page 51 of Power & Punishment

“Emily,” Leo answers, making my limbs relax a little bit.

Enzo’s eyebrow quirks. “Emily,” he repeats, letting the words settle on his tongue. “She looks familiar, but I can’t place it.”

I bite the inside of my cheek as my heart hammers against my ribs. He can’t recognize me. I’ve never met the man. I’ve simply heard stories and rumors. So many rumors.

“I’m not surprised,” I reply boredly. “She looks like half the girls in your club. I prefer blondes, but I figured I’d see what the other side is all about.”

More laughs ring out. Maybe after he’s done ruining my life, he can moonlight as a comedian.

“Is that so?” Enzo drawls as a thin woman with dark brown hair appears to light his cigar. “You branching out, Leo?”

“Call it expanding my horizons,” Leo replies. His hand shifts lower on my waist, and luckily for me, it’s just enough for me to dig my nails into his wrist. He doesn’t react. “Most of the women in my circle are boring and predictable. I was looking for something with a little more fire, so I decided to lower my standards.”

That tiny dig earns a modest scowl from the boss himself, but he doesn’t hold it for long. He just hums and keeps his eyes pointed at me.

“Look at me, beautiful.”

Leo’s body tenses up, his fingers pressing into my hip bone as a warning. But curiosity gets the best of me.

I lift my eyes slowly, keeping my features blank and pliant.

Enzo’s gaze stares into mine with a level of intensity that I’m not expecting. His eyes are heavy and dark. Full of the same mystery you see in a sociopath. His stare drags over me painfully, taking extra care to memorize every crevice and imperfection.

“You’re a pretty girl,” he murmurs, “and I can tell you’ve got an old soul. You don’t see that much anymore.”

What the hell am I supposed to say to that? If I wasn’t playing the part of Leo’s bitch, I might’ve flipped him the bird.

Instead, the empty human that I’m supposed to be flashes him a subtle smile and bows her head again.

“You’ve trained her well,” Enzo says, tapping ashes into a nearby ashtray. “I could use a girl like her at the club.”

“You couldn’t afford her,” Leo bites, letting cracks fissure his careless demeanor. And it’s exactly what Enzo wants based on the proud smile donning his lips.

A dark chuckle escapes his mouth. “For a girl you’re slumming it with, you seem to be very protective of her.”

For the first time all night, Leo is silent. He’s usually good at hiding behind that airtight wall he’s built around himself. But tonight, I can finally see his weakness shining through.

Somewhere during the lull, Enzo pulls his attention away from us and grabs the girl who lit his cigar, pulling her into his lap. I tighten my knuckles, feeling a burning sensation where the skin stretches across the bone.

“Never mind, kid. Whatever you do in your free time is none of my concern. Just don’t get distracted by a nice pair of tits,” he adds casually. “We have important work to do.”

And I have more I need to learn about my blackmailer. He owes me more answers after tonight.

“You’ll get what you want.”

“I know I will,” Enzo replies, his answer on the line of a threat. “And if you don’t comply, maybe I’ll ask for more,” he says, his sticky and sickening gaze twisting around me.

I need a long, hot shower after tonight.

Leo doesn’t make the mistake of faltering again. He just nods and says, “Whatever you need. You know I’ll get it done.”

A long beat passes between them. I can almost reach out and grab the power struggle being tugged back and forth.

Eventually, Enzo waves a dismissive hand. “Enjoy your night. We’ll be in touch.”

My stomach twists, hoping this is the last obstacle I’ll encounter tonight.

Leo turns his body, steering me away. But before we can fully make our departure, he stops, turning back toward Enzo.