Page 43 of Power & Punishment

When I enter Dante’s office, I have to blindly walk through a thick cloud of smoke. It makes my insides itch for the sweet taste of nicotine, but I quit years ago when Maribella threatened to shove an entire pack down my throat if I didn’t stop.

“Mia, what are you doing here?” Dante questions, stamping out his cigarette butt in a black ashtray.

“Ask him,” Mia commands, flicking her head toward me.

I can feel a threat careening on Dante’s tongue, so I beat him to it. “I’m sure Mia told you about our little arrangement. Until I get what I want, she’s going to make a nice little accessory. Doesn’t hurt that she’s not bad to look at.”

“You son of a bitch,” Dante curses, rising to his feet. I don’t flinch. I brought his sister here for insurance, and if he touches me, both of their lives are over.

Mia clears her throat and directs Dante’s stare toward her. They exchange a silent argument before he loses and lets out a puff of hot air, then sits down. He kicks out the chair on the other side of his desk, nodding his head for me to sit down.

Before I can oblige, one of Dante’s goons steps out from the corner to pat me down. “You don’t trust me?” I smile, already knowing the answer.

“No,” he says, not even attempting to consider it. “I figured if you didn’t bring your lap dog, you wouldn’t be dumb enough to walk into my bar completely unarmed. Where is the traitor anyway?”

I want to sneer at his snide comment, but I keep a steady, stoic expression. I didn’t bring Michael because I want Dante to know I’m not afraid of him. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t a phone call away.

“He’s busy,” I lie, considering if asking Mia to frisk me instead of this oaf would be worth Dante launching himself at me.

“He’s clean, boss,” the man says, retreating back to his post. I take two steps and ease into the plastic chair. It creaks under my weight, threatening to snap at any moment.

“Let’s get this over with. I don’t want you here any longer than I have to,” he says, looking at me like I’m a smudge on his calendar.

All of these made men are the same. They think they’re more important than they are. Some would say I’m like that and I’d agree—but unlike these assholes, I’m not afraid to admit it.

“First of all, your brother left me something. I want it.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Dante counters, thin slits giving away his lie.

“Right,” I laugh, shifting my weight in the flimsy chair. “Mia, why don’t you sit down?” I say, keeping my eyes locked with my opponent’s.

“There’s nowhere else to sit,” Mia deadpans, folding her arms and leaning against the wall.

“Come here, then.”

“No.”

“Now, Emilia,” I command, my patience wearing thin. “Or maybe I need to take a closer look at your partner. He’s young. I’m sure he’ll land on his feet.”

Tension clouds the room, replacing the stench of stale cigarette smoke. I can hear Mia’s throat constricting as she debates what to do next. I half-expect her to look to her brother for help, but she doesn’t. She just stares at me—no doubt wishing small laser beams would magically appear, searing off the side of my face.

“Fine,” she grunts, walking around the room to my side.

She stops a few inches away, staring down at my lap like it’s lava. Something snaps inside me, and I grab her arm and haul her onto my lap. The movement is so sudden, she has no choice but to wrap her arms around my neck.

“As I was saying,” I begin, clearing my throat and gripping Mia’s hips. Dante’s eyes cling to that point, wishing he too could manifest the power of laser vision. “Vince said he had something for me. He couldn’t give it to me the last time we spoke because it was in his safe.”

I feel Dante’s eyes flare to life, spinning with a million and one ways to kill me. I even see his hand flinch a few times, inching to reach for the gun on his desk placed there to intimidate me. But it’s hard to focus on all of that with Mia’s incredible ass pressed into my groin.

It might be easier to enjoy if she wasn’t stiff, so I reach up and tuck her hair behind her ear before whispering, “Relax.”

Although it has the opposite effect, making her grind her ass harder into my lap. So hard I have to bite down on my lower lip to keep from groaning in pleasure.

“Fine,” Dante stammers. He gives me one more charged look before pushing to his feet and heading toward a side room that no doubt contains their family safe.

“You’ve proven your point,” Mia says behind clenched teeth. “Let me up.”

I let out a low chuckle. “I think you’re right where you belong,” I answer, placing a chaste kiss on the side of her neck. She relaxes into it for a moment before snapping back into pure hatred mode.