Page 138 of Power & Punishment

I laugh quietly, leaning on my big brother for the first time in years. It feels good to let go of everything I’ve spent so long trying to hide.

And even if this shitshow is just getting started, I’m ready to embrace my past and use it to build my future.

My eyes are drifting shut when I feel his arm tug on mine. I shoot up, slightly off balance from being curled up in a ball for hours on end.

“Leo?”

His eyes crack open, fighting through whatever pain medication they have pumping into him. But when they finally open, my heart stops.

His mouth tilts upward. “Are you my nurse?”

I roll my eyes, nudging his shoulder. “In your dreams, DeLuca.”

“How did you know what I was dreaming about, Tesoro?” he asks with his lips curled upwards.

“I know I always threaten to shoot you, but jumping in front of a bullet for me doesn’t count,” I say, trying to lighten the mood even though all I want to do is collapse in his arms.

“I knew you cared about me.”

I shake my head, my vision blurring no matter how much I force the tears not to fall. I haven’t slept in two days and every moment since then has been soaked in fear and relief.

Leo’s finger grazes up my chin, catching one of the tears built up underneath my eyes. “Hey, don’t cry.”

I squeeze my eyes shut, but it’s no use.

“You scared me,” I admit, leaning into his touch.

“Come here,” he says, shifting his weight to one side of the bed.

“Leo, you’re hurt. I can’t⁠—”

“Don’t make me argue with you. You know how much it turns me on,” he says with one brow arched like a challenge.

I sigh and crawl in beside him. My body curls into his, so desperate for his touch that my nervous system slows to a quiet buzz. I need him and I’m not afraid of that anymore.

We don’t talk for a while. The only indication I have that he’s still awake is his hand gently running through loose strands of my hair. His chest rises and falls like he wants to say something, but he’s afraid to ruin the moment.

“What is it?” I ask, lifting my chin toward him.

He exhales one more time and asks, “Did you get him?”

I nod. “I’ve been here the entire time, but Keith’s been giving me updates. There’s still a lot of work to be done, but Adrian’s finished. Thanks to him revealing his lair, we’ve recovered financial records, emails, and enough evidence to tie him to Vince’s murder and the entire corruption scheme. Keith thinks it will be enough to keep him in prison for the rest of his life. And the captain was so impressed that he immediately reinstated me.”

He smiles, tucking my hair behind my ear. “I’m glad, Tesoro,” he says before his face drops. “And Enzo?”

I hesitate. I know how much taking down Enzo means to him. He’s been working toward this moment for years, and now it seems like the finish line keeps getting further and further away.

“We haven’t been able to find anything that sticks yet,” I admit. “Enzo was smart and kept his connection with Adrian hidden—at least in the legal sense. Everyone knows they worked together, but knowing it and proving it are two different things.”

Leo’s shoulder sag, but I grab his hand and squeeze.

“The good news is his connections inside the NYPD are already starting to collapse. Most of the people protecting him are distancing themselves. Enzo is no doubt spinning out right now. Dante has his ears open and will let us know if anything happens.”

“And me?” he says, his entire body stiffening under my touch.

“Officially?”

A corner of his mouth lifts an inch.