Page 58 of Stolen Compliance

Smirking, I turn and face Luca and Teo. “That would be because the bidders have an option on certain merchandise. A couple will be for, hmm, rent, I suppose is the best way to describe it. Overnight accommodations where they can do whatever their depraved minds take them—so long as the merchandise is in an acceptable condition upon return.”

“And what makes it acceptable?” Teo asks in a bored tone, although I note the tightening at the corner of his eyes. He’s not nearly as calm as he pretends.

I laugh as I turn away to look at the delicious spread of depravity in front of me. I don’t need to see their expressions as I answer, “Acceptable is whatever I define it as, of course…”

Their sharp intake of breath says enough. Sometimes it’s best to have a tease, and this edges us all. Even if they’re not aware of it yet.

Teo clears his throat before asking, “Is there a schedule? And a plan for who is in charge?”

“I’ll be the one heading the auction. The merchandise was personally selected. As for you, you’ll be in charge of wowing the sellers. Your father is electing to not attend. He wants to see how you handle things.”

I mentally check off what has been done, and what’s missing still. There are a few touches in the back that could use some polish, like perhaps some sensory deprivation apparatus…

I’m so distracted, I must miss Luca’s question, until he touches my shoulder. I whirl around, and while he grinds his teeth, he surprisingly doesn’t step back. I lift an eyebrow, impressed at the bunny—for now.

“And what’s my job?” he asks, and from the way his hands clench, it must not be the first time.

For a moment, I merely study the bunny. It’s an innocent enough question, but there are so many answers. Finally, I settle on, “Well, bunny, you’re here to learn. To experience. And, most of all, I’d hope you both understand compliance now. Not that I’d mind showing you it again, but I’m not sure either of you’d survive that.”

Luca’s eyes widen, but his eyes darken, and fuck, that’s dangerous. Especially right now, surrounded by others. It’s far too soon to put my plans into action for either one of them. I tear my attention from them and head toward the front. This time, I don’t gesture for them, but sure enough, by the time I’m outside, both of them are by my side.

Such good little ducklings. Even if one is a mere bunny and the other is far more than he should be. But time and patience will solve it all.

Eventually, they’ll be under me. If I have my way, that’ll be permanent. Perfect little toys. All for me…

Auction day… The day that could make or break us, especially since Sergio is putting trust in me… Is he hoping I excel? Or is this a setup for me to fail?

I try to shove the thoughts aside, but it’s the reality when living under my father’s thumb. I’m not ignorant to the way he manipulates situations to see him fit. His whims change with the day, and his tests aren’t ones I’m always supposed to pass. Doesn’t mean I don’t try my hardest. Not for him, but to spite him.

He is the reason I’m here, after all. The reason my soul is as blackened as it is, and why my mind was as fucked beyond repair as my body. To fail now would be a waste of the work I’ve put in.

So I won’t fail. Whatever comes for me tonight, I will take it in stride and succeed, despite what Sergio may want.

Kari lets out a whistle when I enter the foyer. “Hot, brother,” she says with a wink.

I roll my eyes as my cheeks heat. The suit is more form fitting than I usually prefer, and I fight to not tug at the collar or sleeves. Kari and the tailor will both kick my ass if I ruin the image of perfection they worked so hard to create before the night even starts.

Dominic looks me over, and I stand straighter under his perusal, his gaze almost a caress as he stares at me. There’s heat there that ignites the fire in me, and I am tempted to saunter up to him and tease him. That won’t do, though, not with our time constraints and the chance of Sergio popping up unsuspectingly.

His own suit fits him like a glove, all black and making him look dangerous—as if he needed help with that. His dark hair is untamed, and fuck, I itch to run my hands through it, to fuck it up more.

The sound of footsteps has me turning, and my cock hardens further when Luca steps into the foyer. He wears a suit far more often than Dominic and I do—outside the mandatory bullshit dinners—but this one…it only serves to highlight his beauty.

His honey-blond hair has been recently trimmed, though I already miss the way his messy locks fell into his eyes, giving him a younger, boyish appearance. His brown eyes are a mixture of hard and soft, and I want to see them melt as I put him on his knees… I want to dirty up the form fitting suit…tie his hands behind his back with the silk around his throat and see tears in his eyes as Dominic and I play with him.

“You clean up well, bunny,” Dominic tells him, causing Luca to scowl, which only makes him more appealing.

Before he can say something snapping back, my father steps into the foyer, forcing us all to straighten to attention.

“Glad to see you all made it in time,” he says, casting a glance to Luca who, even when he’s early, is somehow still behind the rest of us; it’s quite amusing. Sergio’s ice-blue eyes meet mine, and if I stood any straighter, I’d snap in half. “I might not be there, but I will be watching. You are to act as if you are nothing but an extension of me…”

“I understand, sir. I will do you, and this Organization, proud.”

He nods, not offering up words of encouragement or even a hint that he believes in me, which is honestly better; we’d all know they would be lies otherwise.

“Let’s go,” Dominic says.

“Good luck,” Kari whispers when I pass her. I don’t dare look at her, not wanting to bring Sergio’s attention to her. After all, I’m supposed to be taking the attention so she can play house with whoever she’s seeing.