Page 38 of Stolen Compliance

“Luca… Explain yourself,” Sergio demands with a flick of his hand.

Gritting my teeth, I force myself to incline my head in a gesture of respect. Then I take a deep breath and in a bored tone respond, “Teo and Dominic have been showing me the ropes per your gracious allowance. Part of that learning has included tests, as every strong Boss utilizes.

“In this case, Teo gave me an opportunity with the test. He had already marked that there was something wrong but wanted to see how I’d handle the pressure. If I would merely allow it to go through, or if I could command the room as he knows I’ll be working with suppliers on my own.

“I completed the test satisfactorily, Teo followed up, and then we left with the correct merchandise. Teo then informed you and explained that additional steps would be taken to make sure that supplier is given a lesson he’ll never get the chance to forget.”

Sergio lifts an eyebrow before zeroing in on his son. I have no idea if he buys my story, but fuck, I hope so. And hell, I hope Teo backs it. Otherwise, we’re both going to be paying the price—me more than him for adding the lie.

“Well, Teo. Is that correct?” Sergio’s voice carries doubt, but from the way his eye twitches, I’m inclined to think he wants to believe it. Now, I wait for Teo to decide if I’m screwed or if we both are…

Teo doesn’t hesitate to answer. “Yes. I wanted to see what Luca would do as I’d been finding him to be rather soft. I’m surprised he actually managed to speak up, but it appears that between your cousin and our instruction, Luca is more versatile than I expected.

“I’m not sure I’m satisfied with the invoice change, but I had planned to speak with Dominic about it after work tonight when we discussed how Luca did for the day.”

That right there is the nail in the coffin, but fuck it. It adds a layer of legitimacy, even as it stings.

Sergio turns his attention to Dominic, demanding, “Is that true?”

With his face blank again, Dominic merely shrugs a shoulder. “Mostly. Obviously, we had no advance notice our supplier would try to screw with us, but both Teo and I have had concerns over Luca. And Teo has seen me test him. I may not have given such a task to Teo just yet, but it seems reasonable and was successful.”

Sergio’s lips twist in distaste, unhappy we’re all backing each other. Then his eyes narrow at me. With a grunt, he gestures for me to move forward.

I immediately follow the instruction, ending up right in front of the dais that his throne sits on. He studies me before flicking his gaze to Dominic and then Teo. Even as I expect it, it’s startling when Teo suddenly grabs me from behind. I try not to fight, but it’s instinctual to throw the elbow back, trying to jab at my attacker. I end up with a blow to the back of my head before Teo forces me to kneel.

Sergio stands up, giving extra height between the two of us. It makes me angrier, but I take deep breaths, trying to behave. I’ve been through far worse with Il Padrone, whose approval actually matters. This fucker isn’t worth shit, and I can’t wait to spit on him before I drag a knife across his throat.

“Teo may have given you a test, and you passed it on his level. Unfortunately for you, he’s not the one in charge. Because to me? You failed. However, since I am gracious, and my cousin put your lessons in my hands—including punishments—I won’t kill you this time. But I do believe that Dominic and Teo will make you understand… No matter what, you will not speak for this Family.

“Whatever your position is on the East Coast, here you’re a guest—and only a guest. I expect you to do the job, but to never, ever interfere with what must be done. My son and my Second will control how things go. Not you.”

I wait a beat, wanting to make sure he’s finished before nodding my head. With a sick stomach, I do as Allesandro had suggested if I ever run into problems. It’s harder than I imagined, but fuck knows I’ve lived through worse.

“Thank you, Sergio, for giving me the opportunity to learn.”

From the snort behind me, even Teo finds that sickening. Join the fucking club, asshole. From the way Sergio’s eyes light up, it works. With a pat to my head as he walks away, I’m assured I’ll live through whatever these fuckers have planned.

From the smile on Dominic’s face…I’m far more screwed than I thought. Well, hell. It can’t be worse than the black room, right?

Fury rolls through me at how Luca utterly and completely almost screwed me over, but I swallow it down. Being punished would have been a lesser charge than my father losing what little trust he had in me.

Making the fucking bunny look like a competent Second is a pain in the ass, but arguing with him, exposing his lies…that would have come with a consequence I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

Grabbing Luca by the hair, I tug him behind me as Dominic opens the hidden door at the back of the throne room. Luca stumbles as he tries to follow me. I’m sure it’s painful on his head, since I’m gripping his hair so tightly, but that’s the least amount of pain he’ll experience with us.

We can’t teach him a real lesson, not yet, but he’s fucked himself just enough we can show that while the methods might have changed, there’s still touches of the old ways ingrained in us.

Dominic helps me get Luca chained in the middle of the small room. The manacles make a satisfying click as they lock around his wrists. We don’t lock down his legs—this time—and he’s going to wish we did by the time we’re finished.

Taking out my knife, I easily cut through his expensive suit, shaking my head in pity as the garments hang around him in tatters.

Moving around to the front, I expose the rest of him for my inspection, seeing the anger and hatred in his eyes as I tug on one of the torn edges. “Maybe this will teach you to not be such a clothes snob,” I comment lightly before circling around him again.

Dominic gives me the signal to let me know the camera is up and running. Sergio doesn’t care much about the prep work, far more interested in the action, the show. It disgusts me, but if it’s a show he wants, it’s one he’ll get.

Dominic chooses an instrument of torment for Luca, and our fingers brush when he hands it over. His face is blank, but his eyes can’t hide his displeasure mixed with heat. He gives me a subtle nod, and that’s all he can offer with the camera running.

Nerves threaten to swallow me, and I push them down. I’ve done this before—have put other men in their place. None of it has ever mattered so much before, but failure is not an option. Not now.