Page 13 of Power & Punishment

Before I can figure out whether to abort this mission before it begins, his date appears out of thin air, giving me the opportunity to duck behind a group of people talking.

Something sour curdles in my stomach as I use my new angle to look at his date. She’s a gorgeous, tall blonde that looks breathtaking in her royal blue dress. She reminds me of a modern-day Cinderella, and I feel like one of the ugly stepsisters.

“Everything okay?” Keith asks, handing me a glass of champagne. I nod, tearing my gaze away.

“He brought a date, so the seduction plan might be a no-go.”

Keith scoffs, and I turn toward him with a pointed look. “Your plan was to seduce him? Mia, you’re a terrible flirt.”

I narrow my eyes. “Am not. You’ve just never seen me in action.”

“Please,” he says, rolling his eyes. “You act like I didn’t see you embarrass yourself in front of that hot firefighter during our last case. He was into you until you accidentally kneed him in the⁠—”

“I don’t need to relive that. Thank you very much,” I say, thrusting my hands to my hips. “And I’ll have you know—shit.” Before I can finish my thought, my heel catches on something.

I’m fully prepared to hit the ground when a strong hand reaches out and catches my arm. My champagne sloshes in the cup, but thankfully it doesn’t spill.

“That was close,” a voice says, deep and amused. I look up and I’m met with a cocky grin.

My hand fists his jacket, steadying myself. The fabric is thick and expensive. Way nicer than anything I’ve ever felt in my life. His hands stay gripped on my shoulders, and my skin crumples under his touch. He feels warm and solid.

For a split second, I wonder what it would be like to stay in his arms. I think I’d be content. More than content. But just when I can’t seem to push back the heat pulsing through me, I remember Vince’s cold, dead eyes and everything comes back into frame.

I clear my throat and quickly step away. “Sorry,” I say, smoothing my dress and forcing every nerve in my brain to calm down. “These shoes are a bit of a health hazard.”

His mouth curves, slow and deliberate. It’s a complete switch-up from the man I met at the bar that night. This one is charming and bold. The way his eyes drag over me makes me know he wants me.

“It sounds like I was at the right place, at the right time.”

Maybe this will be easier than I thought.

I feel my confidence start to spark up again and find my own lips curling into a sultry smile. Before I can respond, Keith appears at my side, and I mentally curse him out when his hand lands on my lower back. “You okay?”

“I’m fine,” I say. Leo’s gaze hovers over Keith’s hand, but if he’s thrown off, he doesn’t show it. I step away from Keith’s hold, and I swear I see the edge of his smirk deepen. “Can you grab me a water, please? I think this champagne is making me clumsy.”

Keith rattles off an answer, but I don’t register it as I lock back in on my target.

“Do we know each other?” Leo asks, stepping closer.

Panic nips at my back, but I ignore it. “No, but I come to these things quite a bit. We might have crossed paths before.”

His lips rub together in a deep hum. “That’s not it. I think I would’ve remembered someone like you.”

Butterflies erupt in my stomach, and I have no clue how to respond to that. Luckily, Cinderella chooses a great time to interrupt.

“Leo,” she calls out, not sparing me a second glance. “Let’s go take some photos before dinner starts.”

His eyes linger on mine before he turns to her. It feels like a cool breeze to get his attention off me. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. “I’ll catch up,” he tells her, and she obeys before moving toward the crowd.

Heat fills my chest when he focuses on me again. “Well, I should go find my date. I apologize for almost taking you out.”

“Don’t apologize,” he says. “That was the most exciting thing to happen to me in a while.”

I scoff before I can stop myself. He’s good. “You must have a thrilling life, Councilman.”

His brows lift. “Ah. So, you do know who I am.”

Fuck. He never introduced himself.