Page 98 of Power & Punishment

“That doesn’t change the fact that she makes you reckless and messy. Sure, you can justify the suspension, but can you justify fucking up our plan? We’ve spent years trying to get everything perfect and now what? You’re calling shots that we’re nowhere near ready to carry out, all to keep one person safe. Someone that doesn’t need saving.”

His dark presence steps closer, two black pools targeted at me. “Enzo isn’t dumb. All it takes is one mistake. One. And everything we’ve been working toward is gone.”

My molars grind together, but he isn’t done yet.

“And for what? Some girl you’ll lose interest in once the stakes aren’t high anymore.”

My body shakes, but I keep my arms pinned at my sides. “Watch your fucking tone, Chen,” I threaten, but he doesn’t back down. The fire he works so hard to cage is out and ready to play.

“She’s a liability, and you know it.”

“No,” I say, pinning him down with one look. “Nothing has changed. I still want him gone. Just sooner than anticipated.”

A foreign look flashes across his face. One that’s hard to stomach for a man like me.

“You’re really going to let her change the timeline.”

“Not changing. Adjusting.”

He folds, his shoulders sagging just enough to let me know he’s backing down for now. “And what happens if this adjustment blows up in your face? Better yet, what happens when Mia isn’t the only one getting hurt all because you needed to get your dick wet?”

It happens quick. My office blurs and black dots cloud my vision, only becoming clear again when I’m an inch away from Michael’s face with his shirt clenched tightly in my hands. His facial expression is frozen.

“Watch your fucking mouth,” my voice low and trembling with rage.

Michael is stone cold, but his eyes stay locked on mine. They’re steady but calm. He looks like he’s assessing a threat, and this time it’s me. And then I see a tiny tremor, and I know he’s decided I’m not worth it. Which is a relief.

I know I’m outmatched and yet the blood pumping through my veins is ready to squeeze him tighter until he learns not to disrespect me.

“Fine,” he says coolly. “I was out of line.”

My fingers twist the fabric of his shirt tighter before finally letting go, shoving him back in the process. He stumbles a step but catches himself easily.

Dragging a hand down my face, I force the tension out of my body and search for control even if I’ve lost it completely.

“Don’t worry about me,” I say, feeling his assessing gaze on me. “I’ll make sure everything works out.”

I hired Michael Chen because he is cold, apathetic, and damn good at getting the job done no matter what it is. I can’t be surprised that he’s asking these questions and doubting my commitment.

“Just don’t hesitate when it matters,” he says, leaving without another word.

I stare at the door, feeling something shifts between us. But before I can process it, Georgia walks through the door.

“Have you seen Mia?” she asks, her head peering around the room like she is participating in a game of hide-and-seek.

“No?” I say, walking toward my bar cart for a much-needed drink. “Why?”

“She was just here asking to see you, but I had to go take care of something, so I told her to go ahead. I grabbed her a coffee on my way back up.”

My hand clenches around the glass in my hand hard enough to crack the lip. I quickly discard the object, and without another word, I’m in the hallway searching for her.

The only thought in my brain is that my little wannabe spy heard everything.

Including the part about me getting her suspended.

I could be mad, but it was bound to come out eventually.

And judging by my luck lately, she’s probably already planning my execution.