Page 77 of Power & Punishment

Leo opens his eyes and drops his hand to my waist, letting out a breath from deep in his chest. “You still think this is about control?”

“I grew up with men like you, so I consider myself an expert,” I spit out, my words harsher than I intend.

His eyes flash, and he steps forward, guiding me back against the desk I was death-gripping only a few moments ago.

When my ass hits the edge of the mahogany, he leans in close and says, “And what happens if you end up in another situation like that night at the Velvet Room. Now that you’re on Enzo’s radar, I might not be able to protect you.”

It feels close to the truth, which is exactly why I don’t trust it. “I’ve done just fine protecting myself for the last decade, so I think I can manage.”

Leo lets out a frustrated laugh, tilting his head to the side. “How can you grow up in that world and still be so naïve?”

“Naïve?” I repeat, bracing my hand against his chest and shoving as hard as I can. “You don’t get to call me that.”

He doesn’t budge.

“You think I don’t know what I’m dealing with?” I continue, my temper starting to fissure. “I ran, changed my name, became the opposite of everything I came from because I know what that world does to people. So don’t stand there on your ivory tower and tell me I don’t.”

His jaw tightens and his eyes shift, but not with amusement. It’s something heavier and somehow more compelling.

“I still don’t think you understand,” he says quietly, his eyes dropping to the wood floor paneling. “I can’t—” he begins but struggles to find the words.

“Can’t what?” I ask, tapping my foot.

“I can’t let him—no, I won’t let him hurt you.”

My first thought is bullshit. This man doesn’t care about me.

But when he looks up, there’s a new vulnerability shining in his eyes.

And for one reckless and idiotic second, I believe him.

And that realization stops me.

I harden instantly. “Don’t,” I say sharply.

Leo’s forehead wrinkles as his brows press together. “Don’t what?”

“Don’t stand there and pretend this is about me,” I say, holding my hand out in case he tries to invade my space again.

His expression tightens, subsiding back to a more familiar version. “It is about you.”

“No, it’s not,” I snap, trying to keep my voice even. “If Enzo finds out who I am. What I’m doing. Then your plan goes up in flames. Your little mind games might work on my boss, my partner, and your family,” I say, dragging out a shaky breath. “But they won’t work on me.”

“Oh really?” he asks, all the vulnerability dripping away and revealing the man underneath.

“Yes,” I sigh. “You manipulate everyone around you and call it protection. You’ll do anything to get your way, no matter the consequences.”

Leo is silent, but I can see his mind working overtime behind those dark green irises. It makes my nerves bind up low in my stomach.

“You’re right.”

I snap my eyes to his. “Excuse me?”

“I said you’re right, Emilia,” he repeats, shaking his head and letting out an irritated exhale. “That’s exactly what I do. But I will never apologize for what I’ve done to get to this point,” he states, passion rising up around his words. “And I will never apologize for trying to keep you safe. You can act like you hate it, but we both know that you’re a masochist for the way I⁠—”

“For the way you what?” I cut in sharply, refusing to let him continue. “Confuse protection with possession?”

His jaw tightens as he leans into my ear. “For the way I get underneath your skin,” he whispers, reaching out to delicately drag his pointer finger from the base of my neck to right underneath my chin, “and stay there.”