Page 36 of Stolen Compliance

“So you are claimed to be the best but dropped the ball on this one. I think a…twenty percent discount off your fee will be adequate to make up for this fuck up.”

I sit back in my seat, watching Volkov carefully, dropping my hand below the table so I’m in easy reach of my weapon.

Instead of getting offended or enraged, Volkov throws his head back and laughs. “I should have known I wouldn’t have gotten anything over you. But can you blame an old man for testing the waters?” His grin is sharp, and I don’t trust it one bit. “Fine. You caught me.” He snaps his fingers, and one of his men at a nearby table picks up a phone. Moments later, another man leaves the kitchen with a girl in tow. She’s around Kari’s height, with blonde hair hanging down to her hips, and built exactly as my father wanted. Her breasts fill out her shirt so much they almost spill out of the top of the tight garment, and her shapely legs would look good spread around someone’s hips or tied wide open.

She’s not dressed at all for the cold, but her skimpy outfit shows off all her best assets, as designed.

“This is the real number eight,” Volkov says, tossing the file folder his man hands him onto the table.

I flick it open and give it a perusal before handing it to Luca for a glance over. “Rita?”

She glances up at me briefly, confirming that is in fact her name, before looking down at her bare feet again.

I look to Volkov. “We don’t appreciate the fuckery. You’re not the only supplier out there, even if you are the best. We could easily do business elsewhere if you’re not going to take this seriously.”

“No harm done. The girl is here, ready for you to take with you now, and the other is still safe with her family.”

I clench my teeth. “How generous of you.”

“I am a generous man.” Volkov grins, acting as if he’s the smartest in the room, and it grates I can’t kill him without risking our lives. He knows it, too.

“We’ll take the girl, but we are also taking the discount for our inconvenience.”

He sighs. “You’re no fun. But fine. I will send the updated invoice.”

I nod and stand, grabbing the girl’s arm and forcing her out of the restaurant with Luca in tow. It’s not the sort of meeting you say goodbye after, especially while being jerked around.

The driver eyes me carefully as he opens the back of the car and we bundle the girl in before climbing into the backseat.

I sigh and thud my head against the headrest, wishing I had more alcohol to deal with the shitshow that was today.

“Thank you,” I tell Luca, despite the words feeling like acid in my mouth. “I noticed the discrepancy but you handled it very efficiently.”

“You did good, as well. You know what you’re doing and handled yourself better than I would have had I been in the lead. Volkov very much would have died, but you kept your composure, and I am assuming going to make plans with your father and Dominic about his…contract termination.”

I snort at his delicate wording, but we both know this fuckery won’t fly. I don’t care what type of test he was trying to pull or whatever bullshit he was trying to spin, he fucked himself. Just because he got to live today because he had us at a disadvantage doesn’t mean he gets off scot-free.

“You’re still new to this, aren’t you? You’re doing fine. I am good at my job because I was trained to be.”

I look at him, wondering if his training was anything like mine… “You’ve impressed Dominic, and that’s hard to do, so you’re more than just ‘good’ at your job.” I try to keep the bitterness out of my voice.

Luca huffs. “Don’t worry. He made sure I was put in my place the other night.”

I look at him in confusion, not sure if I really want to know but… “What’d he say?”

Luca laughs a little. “Warned me off you because I’m a guest and you are…his.”

His. The word makes my heart skip a beat, and I want to touch the scab on my neck but don’t dare draw attention to it.

I snort, fighting the urge to laugh because what a load of fucking shit. Despite the way I want to rejoice at being claimed, the hot and cold act is getting fucking old. Knowing he put the rule in place between me and Luca? It doesn’t warm me, despite how desperately I want to be claimed.

The girl in the back whimpers, and I look over my shoulder at her briefly before focusing on Luca.

“He’s a fucking asshole who thinks he runs things. You’re a guest, not one of his fucking minions.” Or even me. “You’re here to learn. Is putting me, a man with my own brain and desires, off-limits part of learning the trade?” I question, leaning closer to him.

His breath hitches at our proximity, and I see the want in his eyes.

“I respect those with more knowledge and authority above me. I’m here to learn for my Boss, and I don’t mean to step on any toes.”