Page 66 of Power & Punishment

Could that actually work? Could all my issues with Leo really be solved that easily?

Fuck no.

Even a restraining order can’t stop Leo from getting what he wants, and apparently that’s me.

But if I go with Keith’s idea, he’ll think I’m really done with the Russo case, and I can keep digging. Quietly.

And when all this inevitably blows up in my face, Keith will be safe and still have a job.

“Fine,” I murmur, following him back outside where things have seemingly gotten more tense. When I search for Leo and find the back of our captain’s head, I know why.

“Esposito, there you are!” Captain Doyle greets me with a manufactured smile. I haven’t worked under him for long, but I know what it looks like when he’s wearing his professional mask.

“Hey, Cap,” I say, approaching cautiously. I ignore Leo’s stare.

“Mr. DeLuca tells me you’ve made quite the impression and that he’d like to discuss a potential donation for the department.”

I look at Leo, who’s slipped on a mask of his own. He’s sporting a charming smile that I swear twinkles like some god-awful cartoon character.

I’d really like to throw Keith’s sandwich at him and watch marinara stain his perfectly starched white button-up.

When I pull my gaze away from Leo and back to the captain, he’s standing there expectantly waiting for me to answer.

“Yes,” I reply, forcing excess air out of my lungs. “I met Leo at that gala you sent me to a few weeks ago and answered some questions about how he could better support our community. I told him a good start is to invest in the people that keep it safe.”

The captain’s eyes narrow suspiciously as he studies me. “And now you’re continuing that conversation off the clock?” he asks.

“Yes, sir.”

An excruciatingly long beat passes before he finally nods, but I can tell he isn’t fully convinced of my intentions.

“Fine. Keep it professional, Detective,” he warns before turning to Leo and shaking his hand. “Nice to meet you, Councilman. Thank you for your support.”

“Anytime, Captain Doyle,” he says with that snakelike charm of his.

It makes me nauseous.

With the Captain gone and Keith disappearing to who knows where, I’m left alone with my arch-nemesis and, unfortunately, most recent hook-up.

“Shall we?” he asks, grabbing my jacket off the back of my chair and handing it to me like the gentleman he pretends to be.

I swipe it from him and arch my brows. “Are you serious? I don’t answer a couple of phone calls, and you show up at my place of work. Insecurity isn’t attractive.”

Leo’s gaze drags over me painfully slow.

“Mhmm,” he hums, swiping his tongue across his bottom lip. “I wasn’t kidding when I said your lies turn me on.”

My mouth goes dry as I grip my jacket. “You’re insufferable.”

“And you’re still coming with me.”

20

LEO

“Ihave to stop by the office and then we can go to dinner,” I announce, adjusting my cufflinks.

It’s hard to explain the feeling of joy I experience as Mia balls her fists at her sides.