Page 116 of Power & Punishment

I swallow the growl sitting at the base of my throat and keep my face relaxed. “It adds character,” I shrug, adjusting my collar. “Let’s get down to business, Adrian. You didn’t call me here to compliment my good looks.”

“Right,” he agrees, his finger tracing the rim of his coffee cup, “but we do have an important vote coming up, and I’d prefer you not to look like you just crawled out of a back alley. This new legislation needs to pass, or Enzo won’t be as generous when your reelection happens next year.”

I grip my chair even tighter. I want to scream in his face that I don’t give two shits about reelection. That Enzo Caruso won’t be alive to call the shots anymore.

But I don’t.

I shut my mouth and do my fucking job.

“I’ll lay low until the vote,” I say, clearing my throat. “By next week I’ll be good as new.”

“Good,” Adrian replies, his gaze sharpening. “You never let me down.”

I hold his stare, keeping a straight face.

“Is that all?” I ask, casting a side glance toward the clock on the wall. The sooner I get out of here, the sooner I can get back to Mia.

Adrian tilts his head to the side, his gaze sweeping over me, hovering on the bruises and cuts on my face.

“I met Emilia yesterday afternoon. I’d like to apologize for saying she was distracting. I can see why you’re so enthralled with her.”

Irritation wraps around the back of my neck and spills over onto the rest of my body. I pray the bruises on my face hide the red, hot anger sweeping across my face.

“She’s not your concern.”

Like the pro he is, he keeps his face completely neutral. But that command doesn’t seem to reach his eyes.

“Everything connected to you is my concern,” he says evenly.

I lift my chin. “Since when?”

“Since I vouched for you with Enzo. But that was back when you were more predictable.”

“I’m sorry I’ve become so unpredictable lately,” I say, keeping my words loose and effortless. “Should I consult you the next time I find a new girl to fuck?”

Adrian’s smile deepens, the corners of his mouth dripping with controlled malice. “That’s cute, Leo,” he begins, easily catching me in a lie. “I’m not trying to tell you who you can and cannot see. I’m just trying to understand what you’re willing to risk.”

My chest tightens, and the air in the room thickens.

“I don’t risk what I can’t control,” I say, keeping my head held high. “You taught me that.”

He hums softly, making the hairs on the back of my neck prickle to life.

When he doesn’t respond right away, I push to my feet, ignoring the pain flaring at my side. “If this meeting is over⁠—”

“Sit.”

I go still.

It’s the first time he’s ever commanded me to do something. He’s revealing his true colors, and I’m finally able to see through the veil.

I lower myself back into the chair, keeping my eyes locked with his. I could easily walk out of this office and tell him to fuck off, but Mia was right—we need to make him think he has the upper hand.

“Good,” Adrian says, lowering his voice to a normal volume. “Now we can speak freely.”

Blood pounds inside my eardrums. “Then talk.”

He narrows his gaze, smile still full of a sinister energy. “I’m only going to say this once, so listen close,” he begins, taking a deep breath. “People who start pulling at the wrong threads tend to find themselves in situations they can’t control. And we both know how much you love to lose control.”