Page 21 of Stolen Compliance

“I know you trust your cousin. I merely prefer to look at all options,” I reply with a shrug. Honestly compels me to add, “I did find some proof that he may be legitimate. There’s video evidence of what your cousin and Luca did to the youngest member of their circle. It’s far more than I thought they’d do. In fact, it looks a little like my predecessor’s teachings.”

Sergio grimaces. I wait patiently as he looks away, thrumming his fingers on his precious desk. Eventually, he stops, and his shoulders slump before he stares at me. There’s something in his eyes I don’t recognize. An emotion… memories? Fuck if I know. I’m not a damn therapist.

“You are an excellent Second,” Sergio says suddenly, which only puts me on edge. Compliments are not expected, or the sign of anything good. “Between the two of us, we have refined your predecessor’s techniques and instilled the same level of discipline without unnecessary losses.

“What I’m about to tell you isn’t something that I want to get out. Not only for the sake of this Organization, but for my cousin’s. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, Boss,” I respond automatically.

With an unhappy sigh, Sergio says, “My father was smart. Innovative. But not cruel. At least, not to his immediate family. As such, my training wasn’t the same as what you went through. Hell, Teo only underwent it because his bitch of a mom stole him from me. If he had been raised in this world… Well, it is what it is.

“Allesandro, however…his father was cruel in a way that honestly puts even your predecessor to shame. The man was like an uncle to me, but I can admit that he had certain, uh, issues.

“About the time I was learning the ins and outs of the world we live in, Allesandro was shipped out here. I was excited because he was my favorite cousin by far. He’s always been smart and, back then, had a certain zest for life.

“Unfortunately, his father had incredibly strict instructions. The training you went through? That was nothing compared to what Allesandro did. I… I couldn’t look at him the same. I didn’t know the full scope of what happened to him for many years. Not until my father was on his death bed, but I will tell you, what I knew at that time was bad enough.

“My father instructed me that if Allesandro ever needed help, I was to give it. And then he broke down what happened. Including my beloved uncle taking trips to the East Coast after that initial ‘training’. Although, really, I wouldn’t even call it training.

“It was breaking a man. Hell, he wasn’t even a man at that point. Hardly more than a child. There are few things my father ever regretted in life, but that one sin will always be our cross to bear.”

I can barely breathe, trying to imagine the horrors of what this guy went through. I mean, I couldn’t care less, but fuck. That is some tough level shit. How does anyone walk around after that? What mental gymnastics has to occur for them to not take their own life?

There’s a reason I refined the process. We were losing far too many men who simply…broke. Completely. And yet this other Boss supposedly went through something far worse? Then it dawns on me.

“So Allesandro must have used those methods on Luca. Interesting. Really, he’s far softer than I’d expect in that case. Although I’m surprised he didn’t break his chains and go after his Master,” I murmur.

Sergio shrugs. “I still expect him to fail at some point. You know this job is far harder than most can comprehend. When that happens, I expect you to take care of it. But I want you to understand, what you will do to Luca? It won’t ever be as much as Allesandro has faced in his life.”

“That’s why you’re not afraid of upsetting your cousin. He knows the score.”

The Boss doesn’t answer, but he’s given me far more of an explanation than I ever expected. I mean, hell. We don’t speak of this shit. In fact, it’s left me wanting a fucking hot shower because there are too many thoughts that go far too close to pity.

“Alright, I’ll set it aside,” I say grudgingly. “But I’ll be prepared for Luca’s failure.”

“Good. Now, about Teo. I’ve seen your updates. I’m concerned he lost this time. Which, I do recognize is likely your way of testing him as well. But, while we know people are motivated by rewards, it’s far better to instill that fear.”

I tilt my head, curious to hear what Teo’s father wants this time for the kid. “Of course, Boss. Fear is always effective.”

“Then I think it’s time to give Teo a reminder of what happens if someone fails. I’ll leave it up to you, but may I suggest making it a group effort?”

I don’t bother to respond as Sergio dismisses me. Walking away, it’s hard to hide the evil chuckle inside me. Because fuck, daddy there just gave me permission to play with his boy. Not only that, but to rope Luca into it as well.

Fuck, I’d better hydrate because I have a feeling I’m going to get one hell of a workout…

Being thrown out of bed after a long night is not my version of a good time. Lashing out, I strike my attacker, satisfaction thrumming through me as I hit flesh, but as my brain is still waking up, I’m unprepared as I’m shoved to the floor.

The blankets are tangled around me, impeding my defense.

Hands hold me down, and everything sharpens as a familiar scent hits my nose: spice and musk, smoky darkness that is as enticing as it is dangerous.

“What the fuck, Dominic?” I ask as I manage to untangle myself from the blankets, throwing him off me.

He returns before I can scramble to my feet, knocking the wind out of me. I’m not as weak or useless as I was once before, but he still has years on me—and had a hand in how I was trained so he can anticipate me well.

We grapple, neither of us getting the upper hand as I manage to finally find my feet.

The wind gets knocked out of me as I hit the wall, but I don’t let that stop or slow me down. A punch to the gut has his grip loosening on me, and I’m able to slide away from him. Grabbing his arm, I wrench it back, shoving him face first into the wall.