Page 54 of Power & Punishment

“If we were on the same side, you’d tell me everything that happened the night Vince died. Not feed me pieces when I do what you tell me to.”

I hold her gaze for a few more minutes, taking in the tiny cracks I crave to bust through. I don’t think I’ve ever desired someone’s trust like this.

“Fine.”

“What?” she asks with a shocked tone.

“I’ll tell you everything, but I need a drink first.”

“Tomorrow. It’s almost three in the morning. Just drop me somewhere, and I’ll get a cab home,” Mia sighs, squeezing her eyes closed.

“You’re not going home,” I say. Between her trashy super and lack of security, there’s no way I’m letting her stay in her apartment. Enzo probably already has his feelers out there trying to figure out who she is. She’s not safe on her own. “You’re staying with me until my plan is complete.”

“Excuse me,” she says, her voice booming inside the car. “Stop the car. I’m getting out.”

I give the driver a nod through the rearview mirror, and he pulls to the side of the road. We’re only a block from my place, and I’d rather have this conversation without our not-so-little third wheel.

When the car comes to a complete stop, Mia doesn’t wait. She rolls over me and opens the door before thrusting her body into the streets of Brooklyn. I shake my head and give Michael a nod. “We need to talk. Meet me at my office tomorrow morning. I’ll text you when I get in.”

“Planning on a late night?” he asks, watching Mia bolt down the sidewalk.

“Something like that,” I sigh, slamming the door and stalking toward her. It doesn’t take me long to catch up.

Without looking behind her, she barks, “Stop following me, jackass.”

“It’s hard to do when you look this good from behind,” I reply, dying to see that cute little blush that comes out when she thinks I’m not looking.

“Fuck off.”

“Emilia, stop,” I say forcefully, feeling my patience waning. “If you don’t listen, you’ll never know what happened to your brother.”

Mia finally stops, tilting her head side to side. And then she turns and her hair blows fiercely in the wind like some sort of sexy warrior princess.

“I’m so fucking sick of these games,” she sneers, stomping closer to me. “I’m so sick of you. I don’t need you to find Vince’s killer. I can do it myself. And if you want to ruin my life, go right ahead. Fuck—if you want to go after Keith or Dante, be my guest. But I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to figure out a way to destroy you.”

“You think you’re vindictive? Well, think again. I’ve spent a lifetime burying my rage deep down and I’m ready to unleash it all on you, Leo DeLuca.”

“That was so incredibly sexy, anima gemella,” I say, my tongue skirting across my bottom lip.

The redness puffing up her face seems to fade as she takes in a deep breath and closes her eyes. And when she opens them, I swear I see lust glittering there. “What’s it going to take for you to leave me alone?”

I take a step forward and pause, testing the waters before I get closer. Her gaze drops to my feet, but she doesn’t move. I take that as my opening and reach up to tuck a wild curl behind her ear and drag my hand down the side of her face before cupping her cheek.

“There’s nothing you can do,” I explain, rubbing my thumb in gentle circles. “You should’ve never walked into my life.”

I don’t offer any more context than that. Instead, I use her softening stare as an opening. “I don’t know how many times I have to say this, but I’m not your enemy. I know you can take care of yourself, but I still want you somewhere I know you’re safe. There are many reasons I’d like to keep you alive, but more importantly, Dante won’t work with me if he knows I put you on Enzo’s radar.”

Mia glares at me, chest rising and falling with every breath like she’s trying hard to squeeze out the frustration expanding in her lungs.

“Fine,” she says. “But I’m only agreeing to hear what happened that night. Once I get what I want, I’m gone. I’m not staying with you and I sure as hell will never trust you,” she adds, bringing her hand up and affirming her statement by firmly pressing a finger to my chest.

I peer down at the finger digging into my suit jacket, fighting the smile that wants to crease the flat line on my lips. When I look back up, those dark eyes are waiting, and a warm feeling wraps around me. Something that almost screams home, but in a very faint voice that sounds like it’s coming from a distance.

I step away.

“You negotiate like you have a choice,” I say mildly, smoothing my hands over the lapels of my jacket.

Her eyes flash, and a ghost of a sleepy grin appears. “I have a gun. That’s leverage enough for me.”