Page 7 of Stolen Compliance

“Oh good. I do love babysitting,” he drolls.

I chuckle and pat his thigh. “You’re so good at it, too.”

Luca’s eyes narrow a little at being talked about as if he’s not in hearing distance, but it’s something else he’ll have to get used to. No matter his position, or the esteem he holds on the East Coast, he is nothing here. A guest with limited privileges and just enough rope to eventually hang himself with. He can either figure that out and accept his place…or things will get very uncomfortable for him. It doesn’t matter to us either way.

Back at the mansion, I leave Dominic and our charge and head to my father’s office. It’s no less ostentatious than his favorite meeting room, but at least his throne in here is somewhat muted simply due to the space.

“Well?” he asks, sitting back in his seat like the king he believes himself to be.

I shrug and stand before his desk, keeping my posture straight and my hands positioned where he can see them. “He may not fail anytime soon, but we don’t hold hope he won’t need some…encouragement down the line, especially as we get deeper into teaching him the finer points of the business.”

My father nods. “Better than we could have hoped for; it’s good to know our cousin hasn’t completely squandered away his potential.” He looks at me very carefully, searching for any leftover weakness before saying, “I do not want you to leave his training all up to Dominic. We are permitting him to stay here as a guest, as a favor to Allesandro, but our grace only extends so far. You will be an active participant in his formal training.”

“Of course, sir. I know what’s expected of me. I won’t fail you.” Or Dominic.

“Good. Now, set up for the meeting. The Albanians are rumored to be getting a new shipment in for their private sales, and they will not get the upper hand in the market.”

My experience with business models and way with words became an asset my father capitalized on quickly—once he deemed me loyal enough.

He still makes all the final decisions, but more and more I’ve been taking over the meetings with our suppliers and finders. Determining the needs of our customers, finding that specific, exclusive type, and marketing it to the highest bidder, has become something I excel at.

Taking everything I ever learned about how to make a sale and applying it to this business shouldn’t have been so easy, but…once again, business is just that, and no matter where I once came from, this is where I’ve learned to thrive.

If Luca is lucky, he will learn how to adapt…or he’ll find what the true meaning of “no mercy” is. I am not sure which scenario I want more…his compliance, or his blood staining our skin as Dominic and I fuck over his corpse…

“Since I don’t trust you enough to show how we train the merchandise, I suppose you’ll have to trail around me like a damn baby duck while I take care of my responsibilities,” Dominic declares while pinching the bridge of his nose. He lets his hand drop as he studies me—making it obvious he finds me lacking.

I grit back my temper, my wish to snap at him. Fucking hell. I was Il Padrone’s Second, and certainly far better than this fucker. Still, I need him on my side if I’m going to take over. Not that I’d let him live…

“Whatever you want,” I respond tightly. “You are certainly…knowledgeable, and I’m glad to have this opportunity.”

Dominic scoffs. “Wow, did your Master train you to be such a suck up, or is that a natural talent of yours? Those doe eyes you’re sending me isn’t going to do anything except get you fucked over the nearest surface. So unless you want to give your ass up early, I’d suggest falling in fucking line.

“We’ve got a long day planned. Unlike the East Coast, we actually do shit here. Not sit on our laurels pretending to be all mighty. You pretend to be the big, bad mafia. Ha! You fuckers don’t know how the world works.

“This is a favor most wouldn’t be granted and you’re here only because Sergio, for some reason, actually is fond of his cousin, despite his weakness. Don’t fuck it up or we’ll send you back to Allesandro in pieces.”

Snapping, I storm into Dominic’s space, thrusting my hands out and pushing the fucker back. “That’s Il Padrone to you. You’re loyal to your Boss. I get it. But extend me the same damn courtesy, or I’ll be leaving you in pieces for the Boss to find.”

The word Boss tastes like ash on my tongue, but fuck knows, if I’m demanding courtesy, I have to give it. Not that I plan on giving Dominic any. Fuck that. The asshole is on my hit list, almost higher than Sergio at this point.

Chuckling, a slow smile spreads across Dominic’s face. “Well, well. The asshole actually has some fire. Maybe you’re not a completely brainless toy of Il Padrone’s. I guess we’ll find out.

“Go get a shower. You’ve got half an hour before you meet me back here in the foyer so I can get shit done. Just remember one thing, I may like fire, but I’m not the type to burn. Get too hot, and I’ll smother you.”

With that, he turns on his heels, heading to what I assume is his private quarters. I jog through the fucking palace, trying to find my room. I waste precious minutes just finding it. Fuck.

Darting in the bathroom, I turn the shower on. However, when I turn around, I catch sight of myself in the mirror. Horror blooms through me. That poor woman’s blood is all over me.

After holding a gun to my own head, I worry far less when one is pointed at me. I fully expected my life to end, but fuck knows, I’ve made my peace with that. My only worry was failing Il Padrone.

I tear off my clothes, marking them to be burned, and just barely make it to the toilet. There’s not much in my stomach to vomit, but fuck if my system doesn’t try to purge everything in me. The memories of earlier flash through my head. Taunting me, haunting me with their depravity. I shudder as I start to dry heave.

For a brief moment, I wonder if that’s the shit Lio went through with Peter. I fucking hope not. Especially knowing it’s my fault he ended up there. Had I not betrayed my Master…

I shut down the thoughts one by one. They linger at the edge of my consciousness, waiting to strike, but for now, I’m firm enough to stand, only somewhat shaky. Glancing at my watch, I curse. I barely have enough time to shower.

Diving in, I wash quickly. As much as I’d love to linger, to scrub the sins of today off, there’s not enough time. Hell, by the time I turn off the water, I barely manage to dry myself before jumping into my clothes and rushing out.