Page 130 of Power & Punishment

But I ignore that thought and press on.

After opening the third linen closet on this floor, the doubt inside me grows and slowly morphs into crippling fear. I’m close to giving up when I hear a groan and muffled voices at the end of the hall.

I rush toward the final door, pressing my body close to the wall and listening in.

“Come on, kid. The boss wants to see you,” a voice says that I instantly recognize as Shrek. “Bobbie, get this one moving. I’ll go get the girl.”

Panic claws at my chest, but I push it down deep inside me.

I glance down, eyes locking with the belt wrapped around my fist. The element of surprise will have to do.

The door swings open before I have time to regret my decision. Shrek steps out, and his eyes widen, filling me with the type of confidence I need right now.

“What the⁠—”

I strike before he can finish his sentence.

The metal part of my belt hits his nose with a sickening crunch, and he howls, distracted by the blood gushing from his face.

I doubt the outdated jazz from downstairs will cover up his screams, so I need to work quickly.

“Holy shit, James,” the other guy shouts.

My eyes land on him and I flash a vicious smile. He’s much shorter than Shrek. A much easier target.

The other guy’s eyes are still on his friend when I move. I rush across the room and throw all my weight into the belt, this time catching my opponent’s throat, making him choke. It catches him off guard long enough for me to get him on his knees and drive the heel of my foot straight into his side.

He doubles over, and I take the opportunity to hook my arm around his neck, using my other arm to press against his esophagus until his eyes finally flutter closed. When his body makes a satisfying thud against the hardwood floor, I beam with pride.

But my accomplishment is short-lived when Shrek comes barreling toward me and clamps his meaty hand around my arm, yanking me back. I swallow a groan.

“You little bitch. You broke my nose.”

“I think it’s an improvement,” I grin, stomping as hard as I can onto his foot. Again, the big idiot doesn’t see it coming.

Why do men constantly underestimate women?

He howls in pain, his grip loosening just enough for me to push forward while simultaneously slamming my elbow into his throat.

He staggers forward, swaying back and forth. At some point during the commotion, his gun clatters to the floor and we both freeze.

I quirk a brow at him, daring him to go for it. I guess he hasn’t learned his lesson because he takes the bait, ducking for the firearm and leaving his backside completely defenseless.

It all happens quick.

The big guy hits the ground. I lunge into action, throwing my belt around his neck and jerking him backward. And then I press the heel of my foot into his lower back and pull with all my strength.

He struggles, shaking the floor and alerting whoever is downstairs. But I’m too in the zone to care, blood pumping through my veins and my mouth filling with saliva.

All my life, I’ve never wanted to partake in the ruthless violence of my family. They killed without remorse and hurt people just to make a buck.

I loathed everything about them and how selfish they were because it always ended the same way.

But now with this man’s life in my hands, I can’t ignore the bloodlust pumping through me or the excitement I feel when his body finally stops fighting and begins to go limp.

It’s so dangerous; the only thing that stops me from finishing him is Keith’s weak voice calling to me from over in the corner. “Mia, stop.”

I pull back immediately, easing off the pressure. Shrek’s body jerks a few times beneath me before going completely limp.