Page 22 of Power & Punishment

“He’s not here for pie,” Shelby murmurs, leaning over my table with an expectant expression. I mutter a barely audible curse word and swivel in my seat.

Leo DeLuca stands inside the entrance with a scowl that he somehow makes attractive. His hand keeps gripping the door like he’s unsure if he wants to be seen in this dump. And he probably shouldn’t. In his form-fitting suit and perfectly styled hair, he looks like some sort of movie star that stumbled in looking for somewhere to hide from their crazy fans. That thought alone makes me want to pat myself on the back for making him come here, but then his eyes lock on mine, and my mind goes blank.

His mouth bends into a deadly curve and his eyes darken. And then he starts walking toward me, his shiny shoes keeping perfect rhythm with the sound of my uneasy heartbeat.

Shelby straightens when she realizes that he’s here for me. “Looks like someone has a hot date.” She winks. “Good job, babe. I’ll let you two catch up before I come back for his order.”

She spins quickly, making her way back toward the kitchen, and I groan at just how wrong she is. This isn’t a date.

More like a death sentence.

Leo stops in front of the booth, his stare inspecting the duct-taped faux leather with a special kind of disgust. Although I’ll settle for that look instead of the heated one I get when his attention focuses back on me.

“This is your idea of neutral territory?” he asks, smacking his lips together. Visions of last night melt through my brain, but I try my best to ignore them.

“Sit or leave. I couldn’t care less,” I reply, taking a long sip of my coffee.

I see his jaw tick as the same amusement from last night sparks in his pupils. He makes me sweat for another second before letting out a dramatic sigh and sliding into the seat across from me.

What a drama queen.

“Put your phone on the table.”

“Excuse me?” I say, raising a brow.

“Don’t make me ask again, Emilia. I’m simply being cautious. I’m tired of people recording me without my permission.”

I scoff but obey. The thought of recording this conversation never even crossed my mind. “So, you know about your little espionage problem? Guess I’m not the only one who wants a piece of the big bad Councilman.”

His gaze drops to my lips. It’s quick, but unfortunately enough to make me squirm. “If you wanted a piece of me, all you had to do was ask.”

I roll my eyes. “Go to hell.”

Shelby reappears, setting a mug that matches mine in front of Leo. “Coffee?”

He glances at her, and that charm that he can seem to turn on for everyone, but me, takes over.

I think I hate politicians.

No.

I know I do.

“Yes, perfect. Thank you,” he says, his gaze dropping to her name tag. “Shelby.”

She blushes, smiling sweetly as she fills his cup, and then she practically skips away like five minutes of his attention made her night.

What a tool.

Leo turns back to me, shimmying off his jacket and loosening his tie. “To answer your question, yes, I found the bug. If anything, your failed stunt helped uncover an actual threat.”

My nails claw into the faux leather seat, piercing into what’s left of the cushion underneath. It’s the only thing keeping me from reaching for my gun strapped tightly against my side. “Since you clearly have all the answers, I’m guessing you caught the guy too.”

His shoulders go rigid. “My guy is working on it, but whoever did it is good at covering their tracks. You don’t happen to have any more information for me, Cara?”

God, I wish I did. I’d dangle it in front of his stupid face and feed him breadcrumbs until he snapped.

It’s hard to explain the type of satisfaction I’d get out of seeing this man drop the calm and collected routine. I see small cracks here and there, but I’m like an addict and I need more.