Page 85 of Power & Punishment

My heart stops when I reach the top of the porch steps and the door is hanging wide open. The wood is splintered and glass is sprinkled across the floor.

I check my peripheral and make sure the area is clear before scanning for any weapons. I settle for one of Alice’s garden gnomes that I know her Nonna passed down to her.

I move quickly and quietly as I clear the downstairs, forcing all negative scenarios out of my head. Alice is a fighter. There’s no way she’d let a couple of goons take her down.

When I reach the top of the stairs, I hear heavy breathing in the first room. I flatten myself against the wall and glide closer.

“Fucking hell,” I hear, followed by the sound of a heavy object connecting with the floor.

“Alice?” I call out, brows furrowed.

When I walk into the room, I have to dodge the pool of blood seeping out of a large man’s skull. I look up and see Alice holding a gun pointed in my direction.

I whip up my hands—garden gnome included. “Shit. It’s me, Alice.”

“What are you doing with my gnome?” she asks, her hands shaking as she lowers the handgun.

“I didn’t have my gun, and this was the next best thing on such short notice,” I shrug. My smile falls as soon as I look at the dead body staining her bedroom floor. “But looks like you didn’t need the backup.”

Alice scoffs, kicking the large man’s limp leg. “There were two of them. The other one ran off when I started shooting, but I think I clipped his shoulder.”

I nod, taking in the all too familiar scene. Except this time, I’m not a homicide detective. I’m just a civilian who needs to figure out how to get rid of a man that would give Bigfoot a run for his money.

I squat down and set Alice’s gnome in a safe place.

“He’s definitely dead,” I confirm, pressing my hands against his cold neck and not finding a pulse. I ignore the protocol list floating aimlessly in my head and stand up before wrapping my arms around her.

“Shit, Alice. I’m so glad you’re okay,” I say, squeezing her tightly. Her arms are limp at first, surprised by the physical affection. At some point she gives in and wraps her arms around my waist.

I don’t think we’ve ever hugged like this.

“I’m fine,” she says, her words muffled in my jacket. “But thank you for coming.”

“Of course. You’re my sister, Alice,” I say, awkwardly pulling away. “Now we need—" Before I can finish that sentence, I hear floorboards creaking downstairs. I hold out my hand and wait for Alice to hand me her gun as I slowly creep toward the disturbance.

Armed with an actual weapon, I feel more confident in the path I take toward the door. But whoever is coming toward us is determined. By the time I quietly make it to the stairwell, they’re already halfway upstairs.

I take a deep breath, unclick the safety, and make sure my finger is snug against the trigger before whipping around the corner.

“Mia,” Leo says breathlessly, lowering his gun. “You’re okay.”

He tucks his gun in the back of his pants and is in front of me in two long strides. Before I can say anything, his hands are on me.

They’re firm, searching and gentle.

His palms skim over me like he needs proof that I’m real.

“Are you hurt?” he asks, his voice rough, but caring all at the same time.

I blink at him, speechless.

“I’m fine, Leo,” I say, trying to step away, but he holds me firmly in place as his eyes drag over me again.

“Mia,” he presses, softer now. The way he says my name usually makes me want to run away, but in the moment something shifts between us. I feel safe with him even though I’m the one still holding my gun. “Be honest.”

“I’m okay,” I say, this time not sure if I believe it.

He exhales and closes his eyes briefly like he’s…relieved.