Page 107 of Power & Punishment

“I’m sorry.”

Heat blooms behind my ribs at his lackluster apology, but before I can curse him out properly, his eyelashes flutter close, and he slumps forward. I catch him at the last minute, pulling his entire body into my chest.

I look at Michael and ask, “Can you take him home?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. I haven’t assessed tonight’s threat properly and I’m not sure if his home is being watched.”

I part my lips, ready to suggest anywhere else other than my newest safe haven, but then my brother opens his big fat mouth. “We’ve got a futon in the office. He can crash there.”

I cannot escape this man.

But no matter how much I want to complain and put up a fight, I don’t.

Because deep down inside, I feel a calmness sweep over me knowing I can make sure he’ll be alright.

Knowing he’ll only be a few feet away.

“Whatever,” I mutter, pushing Leo’s weight off me and onto Michael and my brother. “I’m going to bed.”

They work together to haul Leo back toward the office as his fingers finally relax and slip off my wrist.

I stare after him, slowly threading behind Michael and Dante to make sure he gets to bed safely. I stop myself before I can walk into the room with them, knowing if I go in, I’ll never leave his side.

Before I can go my separate way, I glance back one last time.

I may be sleep-deprived or just straight up delusional at this point, but I swear that son of a bitch’s lip curls up.

Even half-conscious and drugged up, he still finds a way to get under my skin.

I shake my head before turning my body toward the stairs. Although I’m fooling myself if I think I’ll get any sleep tonight.

31

MIA

After hours of tossing and turning and trying to list out the reasons why I shouldn’t care if Leo DeLuca bleeds out on the futon downstairs, I found myself getting up for a glass of water…from the bar downstairs.

And then when I made it to the bar, my feet kept moving, taking me to Dante’s office.

Now as the sun peeks over the run-down buildings across the street, I’ve turned into the kind of person who watches someone as they sleep.

I’m not proud of how quickly the anxiety bundling inside my chest seemed to unravel once I could see his chest rising and falling with my own eyes.

I’m also not proud of how long I’ve stayed here. Eventually finding a chair and cementing myself in place.

I am supposed to be angry with him. Absolutely furious. And yet, here I am thinking about how perfect he looks in his sleep.

I hold my breath as he shifts, slowly rising to my feet.

I’m halfway out the door when a quiet exhale escapes his mouth and his brows pinch together.

Before he opens his eyes, he says, “Look who’s the one watching me sleep now.”

When Leo’s eyes open, everything inside me yearns to be tucked into his side. No matter how much I pretend, there’s this gaping hole inside me that seems less empty when he’s nearby.

I cross my arms and lean up against the doorframe. “Relax. I was just making sure you weren’t dead.”

Leo’s smile falters as he attempts to stretch his arms and hisses in pain. I jolt forward but stop when he quickly bounces back with a witty remark. “Maybe you should come here and check my pulse just to make sure.”