Page 2 of Stolen Compliance

“There’s really nothing. I seem to remember Sergio being different. Kinder. Then again, that was years ago. I’m sure, like me, he was hardened to this life. You’ve gone over the report the same as me. The Second is supposedly ruthless.”

My stomach twists, hating this. But I force the words out. “I’ll make you proud.”

“I already am, Luca. And remember… this will always be your home. That’ll never change. Once a Martelli, always a Martelli.”

Instinctively, I respond, “Loyalty. Courage. Victory.”

With that, the meeting wraps up. I spare a thought to the man who will take my seat. I’ve trained him to be a Second. To hopefully meet the demands of the job. But it sits heavily on me.

Lio. The innocent college student who became Death, the nickname bestowed upon him. Yet, he’s joined the blood splattered world like it’s meant to be.

Even as I stand to take my leave, I know that I’ll always regret it. Nineteen and his whole future was stolen. His loss of a normal future is another ding on my soul, whether it was my choice or not.

I think of him and feel guilt, even though he’d hate that. The same as when I look at my friend and feel loss, knowing he’d turn away from it. Perhaps it is time for me to leave. To take what is poisoned and make it right. To lead the right way—the proper Martelli way.

“So my cousin finally grew some balls, huh?” Sergio chuckles, lounging on what can only be described as a fucking throne. Really, who the fuck needs a damn chair adorned with jewels and set in the front middle of a goddamn room?

With a tight-lipped smile, I incline my head respectfully. “He’s certainly eager to learn about a different revenue stream.”

Fuck you, you asshole. Human trafficking is so far below what Il Padrone does.

Keeping my thoughts off my face is harder than I thought it would be, but Il Padrone is giving me a chance—not only to take Sergio down, but to have my own territory. Fuck. To be equal to my former Master… mixed feelings swirl inside me from pride, fear, and worry. Missing is the arrogance I once held onto, though. For damn good reason.

Grunting, Sergio pulls my attention to him. “I spoil my cousin. I really do. I only agreed if he took care of Keegan. Still, Allesandro didn’t have the same opportunities I had growing up. I suppose teaching him to diversify can be my good deed for the year.

“My Second, Dominic, will show you to a guest room. I’m not sure how my cousin does shit, but here, we get our hands dirty. In fact, Dominic trained my son, Teo. Both of them will be in charge of you, because I don’t have time to babysit, even if it’s for my favorite cousin.”

Sergio laughs at that, and I try not to grimace. Considering the state of Il Padrone’s family… yeah, that’s not saying much. I didn’t even know Sergio had a son, and I’m certain Il Padrone didn’t either. Fuck. This just got more complicated. Unless I can turn the Second and the son…

I bow slightly, hating the submissiveness of it—especially to this slimeball. “Of course. I’ll be happy to learn from them.”

With the grace of a leopard who doesn’t change spots, he stands and slinks toward me, poking me with his finger. “Be prepared, though. Betray me, I’ll do more than slit your throat.”

Using my considerable restraint, I don’t snatch the finger and break it. If he was anyone else… oh, it would be so easy. Unfortunately, I don’t need my ass handed to me on the first day. Il Padrone taught me patience. And it looks like I’m going to fucking need it.

“I’d expect nothing less, especially from a Martelli. Fedeltà. Coraggio. Vittoria.” I repeat the Martelli motto by heart.

Sergio throws his head back, cackling. It fills the rather empty room, echoing loudly. Abruptly, he stops and stares at me, malice lurking deep in those murky Martelli blue eyes. “Here we don’t play by the old mottos. No, here you learn the real world. You live by my grace, follow the fucking rules, or you die by my hand. Even if it’s someone else holding the damn knife.”

With that lingering edict, he stalks out of the room. Only then does his Second appear at the doorway. I take a deep breath as he tilts his head to indicate I should follow him. This damn palace—because it’s too cold to be a home—feels like a fucking maze.

Clearing my throat, I attempt to make headway. “So, Dominic, I hear you’ll be part of my training. I’m looking forward to it.”

Scoffing, Dominic barely glances at me before speeding up. It forces me into a light jog, but his legs are far longer than mine—and I’m not even short. When he stops, I almost run past him. Annoyance twists inside me as I turn to face him.

His smug grin fills me with something else, perhaps rage? It’s been a long time since I’ve been treated like a damn kid, though, and I have no patience for it. Still, I know better than to pick a fight, even if I briefly dream of smashing my fist into his face.

“Get some sleep, newbie,” Dominic says lightly. “You may have helped run the Martellis on the East Coast, but you have a lot to learn about real life. I suggest shoving your ethics somewhere, maybe your so-called Master’s ass. Then again, from what I hear, your head already lives there.”

He flicks a wave toward me before jogging off. For a moment, I fight the urge to go after him, to demand respect for Il Padrone. But this is what Allesandro warned me about. It’s still weird to taste his name on my tongue so carelessly. If we’re going to be equals, though, I need to break the cycle of thinking he’s my Master.

If only the heart made it easy. And if only I wasn’t surrounded by vipers who would be all too happy to see me die…

Dominic stalks into the kitchen, his mood seeming darker than usual, which is fairly impressive. He barely flicks a look my way as I calmly drink my coffee before he scans the rest of the room. But aside from the cook and kitchen staff, there’s no one else around. His dark eyes meet mine again, and I can see the disgust and burning fire buried deep within them.

“The newbie isn’t up yet?”

I shrug. “Haven’t seen him.”