Page 6 of Power & Punishment

“Mia, they don’t fuck around. They’re not above killing cops.”

“I know,” I say, rolling my lips together, “but that’s a risk I’m willing to take. He’d do the same for me.”

It’s true. My brother had done a lot of bad things, but that didn’t make him a bad man. He’s the one who encouraged me to want more for myself even if that meant leaving.

“Fine,” he says, wrapping his hand around a clear glass sitting on his desk. Before he pulls it to his lips, he says, “You’ve changed. You’re…harder.”

I lower my chin. “I had to be. You and Vince always protected me, but when I left I had to figure out how to do that myself.”

Dante exhales into his cup, setting it back on the water ring that forms its forever home. “If you’re going to do this, you can’t trust anyone. The Caruso’s have guys on the force and higher up than that.”

“I’m not stupid,” I huff. “I know they have guys in their pockets. I am, however, kind of insulted no one’s attempted to bribe me.” I smirk, trying to find some better footing than the strangling feeling of dread between us.

“It’s good to know you still have a sense of humor,” Dante says, rolling his eyes.

“You should try it sometime,” I say, rising to my feet. “Might help ease that shitty scowl that’s permanently etched on your face.”

I might be imagining things, but I think I see the corner of his mouth quiver for a millisecond.

He shakes his head before angling his stare. “Just be careful. I’m not burying another sibling.”

“When is Vince’s funeral?” I ask, ignoring his compassionate warning.

“Tomorrow morning, but” he begins, pausing before saying, “I think it’s best if you keep your distance. It’s too risky.”

I force a nod, but unease cements inside me. “I know,” I say, sliding my card across the table. “If you can think of anything else that might help, let me know. The station is going to call you in for an interview, but I’ll do my best to keep you out of the investigation afterward.”

Dante stares at the card like it’s lava and lets out a small noise of irritation before tucking it into his pocket. I give him one last bow of my head before shoving my hair back into the wig and walking toward the exit.

“One more thing, Mia,” my brother says, stopping me before I can open the door.

“Yeah?” I question, removing my hair from the doorknob and turning toward him.

“Stay away from that man you were talking to earlier.”

“Why?” I ask, remembering the way his presence seemed to absorb everything else in the room. I figured he was just another made man with an ego bigger than his head.

Dante stares at me, his face melting into a brotherly puddle of concern before hardening into something more familiar. More serious. “Just do it, okay?”

“Okay,” I say, nodding my head and exiting his office.

I close the door behind me; the mystery man burned into my mind. Why is it that being told to stay away from someone only makes them that much more tempting?

“Still nothing?” I ask, dodging a half-dead shrub.

“Nope,” Keith says on the other end of the line. “We were able to lift prints off that valet ticket, but they belong to the victim and an eighteen-year-old valet that alibied out.”

“Damn,” I say, sidestepping a mud puddle. “I was hoping we’d catch a break early.”

“Yeah,” my partner sighs, matching my exact sentiment, “maybe we’ll have luck with the victim’s family. They’re burying the body today, so we’re bringing in the wife and the brother tomorrow morning.”

I swallow hard at the mention of my sister-in-law. “Yeah, maybe.”

“Where are you? I thought you were going to be at the station this morning?” he asks.

“I had an errand to run, but I’ll be there in an hour,” I explain, spotting the sea of black attire down over the hill. Dante told me not to come, and he was right, but then Vince’s face haunted my dreams last night, and instead of the precinct, my feet led me to the cemetery. The same cemetery where we buried my mom and dad.

“Okay, fine, but hurry up. The captain is in a mood this morning and wants an update on the case.”