Page 88 of Power & Punishment

Alice looks at him, her eyes tired and sad. “You hate that man,” she says, gesturing toward Leo. “And you’re okay with handing me off to his family who I’ve never met?”

“They can keep you safe,” he shoots back. “I can’t.”

A weak, defeated laugh falls from her lips as her shoulders slump forward.

I reach for her hand and when she doesn’t rip it away, I squeeze. “It won’t be for long. Just until we figure things out. I’ll call every day and visit when I can.”

She does a once-over of the room again, this time avoiding the violence splayed out at her feet. When her eyes connect with a photo on the wall, she stares blankly ahead.

The frown on her face makes my insides squirm with pain. I drop her hand, worried that I’ll lose the strength to push her forward when I can barely find mine anymore.

“Fine,” she murmurs, “but I’m only staying for a week. After that, you’re going to have to figure something else out.”

I open my mouth to argue with her, but Leo grabs my shoulder and stops me. “That’s fine. I’ll call my brother and make sure your room is ready tonight.”

Relief loosens the tight knot bound inside my chest. “I’ll help you pack.”

All at once, her body shifts into motion, and she slips past us out into the hallway. Dante follows after her.

“You did good,” Leo says, pulling at my shoulder and turning my body toward him. His other hand reaches up and rubs reassuringly along my arms.

“I manipulated a pregnant woman into exile,” I mutter. “I guess that earns me a gold star.”

Leo laughs, making a warm feeling burst inside me. “I think I’m more worthy of a gold star. I’ve convinced you to do a lot more for a lot less.”

Normally, I’d attempt to kick him in the shin for a comment like that. But I welcome the lightness that swells inside me. It’s exactly what I need even if I don’t want to admit it.

“You caught me on an off day.”

“Have you been having a lot of those lately?” he asks, reaching up and brushing his thumb across my cheek.

“Ever since I met you.” I tease.

His mouth curves. “That’s a shame, Tesoro. I haven’t had a bad day since I met you.”

“Then I guess I’m not trying hard enough.”

25

MIA

My hands hang limply at my sides as I watch water pebble over my skin and drip into the drain of the black tiled shower.

It’s hard to appreciate the rainfall showerhead that cascades above me. It’s arguably the nicest bathroom I’ve ever been in, and somehow instead of enjoying myself, I’ve been blankly staring at my reflection as steam fogs up the glass around me.

Today was awful.

Probably the hardest day I’ve had in a while, and yet, I feel paralyzed with the premonition that the worst is yet to come.

I’m so lost in my pity party that I barely notice the door to the bathroom creak open, followed by the sound of clothes joining mine on the marble floor. I’m still as I feel another presence join the stall with me.

“What are you doing?” I croak, my voice dry and brittle.

“Taking a shower,” he says, casually reaching around me for a luxurious-looking bottle.

I lift my head from its hanging position. “It’s been a long day, Leo. I’m not in the mood.”

I feel his movements behind me as he sets the bottle down. His hand feathers over my hip and spins me to face him. I tilt my head up to avoid the water splashing down around us.