Page 99 of Power & Punishment

28

MIA

“How’s it going?” I ask, balancing my phone on my shoulder as I open the door to Leo’s office building.

“I’m a big girl, Mia. You don’t have to check up on me.”

“I know,” I sigh, pausing in front of the elevator and finding a wall to lean up against, “but this whole situation is my fault. They went after you because of me.”

“You don’t know that for sure,” she explains. “It could have been related to Vince somehow.”

She’s not wrong. But Vince’s body has been cold for weeks, so if they were going to go after Alice for information, why now?

Something isn’t adding up.

“Maybe,” I reply, quickly becoming entranced with the evidence board inside my mind. “But I’m allowed to worry about you, Alice. If anything were to happen to you or the baby, I’d⁠—”

“Knock it off, Mia,” Alice snaps, reminding me of the harsh exterior my brother fought tooth and nail to break through. “We both grew up in this world. We know the risks. I married your brother because I loved him and I did it knowing I wouldn’t get much time with him. I was fully aware his problems would become my own, but I knew I was strong enough to handle them. And I’m strong enough to handle this too.”

She takes a breath, leaving me no room to respond.

“And if you don’t want your brother or that man you’ve become involved with to dote on you, don’t do the same shit with me. Just because I’m pregnant doesn’t mean I’m helpless, Mia. I can still kick ass.”

It’s hard not to smile at her perseverance.

“You’re right,” I agree, accepting defeat. “Maybe I should be more worried about your hosts,” I say, attempting to lighten the mood and get myself off her shit list.

I’m rewarded with a dry laugh.

“Mari is an absolute angel,” she says, trailing off for a moment. “I haven’t met the brother yet, but if he’s anything like Leo, I’m sure we’re going to be besties,” Alice finishes in a sarcastic tone.

“I’ve only met him once, and I can promise you he’s nothing like his brother,” I say, pressing the call button for the elevator.

“Mhmm,” she hums unconvinced. “Well, I’ve got a whole lot of nothing to get back to. Let me know if you need any help with your brother’s case.”

“Okay,” I say, tapping my hand against my side. “Actually, there is one thing. Have you ever heard the name Marco Bellini?”

It’s a long shot, but without my resources at the NYPD, I was willing to try anything. Besides, Alice’s family is just as crooked as mine and just as deeply involved in the criminal underbelly of New York.

“I’m not sure why, but it sounds familiar. I think I might’ve seen it somewhere when I was going through Vince’s things for Dante. Let me check again, and I’ll get back to you.”

“Thanks, Alice. Shout if you need anything.”

And just like a Russo, she ends the call without a goodbye, leaving the line dead before I can press the end button.

The elevator dings at that exact moment. I step inside, my mind a complete crapshoot of tiny details that fit together somehow, but I wasn’t quite sure how yet.

Hopefully Leo can help me make sense of everything.

I wasn’t planning on coming to see him today, but after getting my backup piece from my storage locker and a few other essentials, I found myself completely lost. And for some reason, I thought having Leo’s insight wouldn’t be a terrible thing.

When the elevator door opens, I follow the shiny marble floors to Leo’s office. I smile when I see Georgia sitting at her desk.

“Hey,” I greet her right as she rises to her feet. Then I notice she has a phone attached to her ear. “Oh shit. Sorry,” I mouth quietly.

Georgia taps a button on her phone with her perfectly manicured nail. “You’re fine, babe. That was just a delivery driver. I have to go down and meet him to sign for something, but Leo’s just in there bullshitting with Michael so go right ahead.”

I nod, watching her disappear around the corner.