Page 48 of Power & Punishment

I grab the trash can sitting in the corner and yank out the barely filled trash bag before flipping it upside down. And then I hoist myself up and pray that it’s not that far of a drop.

But when I become eye-level with the tease of a window, I’m not greeted with the street. All I see is an ugly brick wall that couldn’t be more than an inch away.

Fucking New York City.

Dread weighs me down, pulling me back toward the cracked tile floor. I throw my body weight toward the porcelain sink and grip both sides tightly.

When I look in the mirror, dark circles hang from my eyes staring back at me like an old friend. I glare back at a hollowed-out version of myself and wonder how shit could’ve gotten so fucked up so fast.

Before I can focus on that thought anymore, I splash some cold water on my face and force myself to face my demons.

There’s a good chance Sleazebag McGee is standing right outside the door right now, but there’s also a chance he’s distracted enough for me to make a clean exit. Either way, I cautiously make my way toward the exit and pray for some good luck. It never does me much good, but a girl can dream, right?

My stomach drops when I push open the door that last bit and the coast is clear. I’m so happy that I practically skip out of the short hallway.

Then again, I should know better than to get too cocky.

Because right when I think I’m home free, I smack right into a familiar brick wall. And he’s just as grabby as my last captor.

“Fancy running into you here, Cara.”

15

MIA

Iblink rapidly, trying to figure out if Leo is really there. It’s hard to deny when his strong arms wrap around my waist and pull me in. My heart flutters inside my chest—an alarming mix of fear and excitement.

“I—uh—I,” I stutter, trying, but failing to pretend that his presence hasn’t sent me into a torrential spiral. “What are you doing here?”

“I decided to try out the role of dashing hero tonight,” he says, his eyes piercing through the dim lighting of the club. “I figured you’d come here, but I didn’t think you’d be dumb enough to venture into the lion’s den.”

My mind spins, searching for a reason to push him away, but that’s when my other stalker enters the conversation. “There you are, sweetheart. I was worried I’d have to come in after you.”

Disgust rolls off me, and I hate that I retreat into Leo’s arms, letting one danger chase me into the arms of another.

Leo’s eyes connect with mine briefly before he turns toward the stranger with a deadly look that makes me want to run and hide. But for some reason, I beat him to the punch and blurt out, “I found my boyfriend. I forgot he told me to meet him here. What a funny coincidence, huh?”

The man glares at me before noticing I’m attached to another human for the first time. And when his eyes land on Leo, I swear all the color drains from his face.

“Oh shit, Mr. DeLuca. I’m so sorry. I had no idea. I⁠—”

Leo raises his hand, silencing the goon. His attention turns back to me, and his stone-cold expression slips the tiniest bit before he asks, “Did this man touch you?”

“Oh no, sir. I would never⁠—”

“Shut the fuck up. I didn’t ask you,” Leo snaps, not bothering to glance in the man’s direction. “Emilia, did this man touch you?”

Part of me wants to say yes just to see what he’ll do. The palpable rage radiating off him should scare me, but instead, goosebumps dance across my skin at the idea of him hurting a man just for touching me. My mouth waters thinking about it.

Fuck. What is wrong with me?

“No,” I say, picking the easier route.

“I don’t like your hesitation,” he purrs, reaching up to tuck a piece of hair behind my ear. There’s a sparkle of sincerity in his eyes.

He holds my focus for a little longer before turning back to the man sweating bullets in front of him.

“You’re lucky we’ve got places to be,” Leo rumbles, wrapping his hand around mine in one swift movement. “If I catch you even looking at my girl again, it’ll be the last thing you do. Got it?”