Page 59 of Stolen Compliance

The limo out front has me curling my lip, but I smooth my expression out quickly, unwilling to start the night off on a bad note. Letting Luca enter the car before me, I get to take a fortifying breath before sliding into the vehicle.

Luca sits between me and Dominic, and I scoot closer than is polite, but he doesn’t protest. In fact, he drops his hand in the small space between our legs.

I don’t dare take him up on his offer, but the gesture is enough to help settle me.

Dominic meets my gaze over Luca’s head, and I can see the danger there, the smugness as there’s not a damn thing we can do that escapes his notice, but fuck if I’m past the point of caring now.

His hot and cold, controlling bullshit is grating… The need I have for him hasn’t dimmed once in the last few months…if anything, it’s gotten stronger with jealousy because of the attention he gives the bunny. But the feelings Luca inflicts in me? Those are different… Pure, honest.

Fucked up in many ways because I’m itching to get my whip on his flesh again, and so much more…but I also want to piece his hurt back together—if only so the cycle could start all over. Messed up in so many ways, but fuck if I don’t want it.

Pain and pleasure, agony and comfort… All of it blurs together, and I want it. With him.

The bunny who turned our world upside down…who reminds me of desires and needs I was forced to set aside…who gives far more than he intends…who is quickly stealing what’s left of my heart despite it being owned by someone else…

Thankfully, we arrive at the venue before I can spiral any further.

Setting the back of my hand against Luca’s, I press our fingers together before we leave the limo; it’s the last bit of comfort either of us will receive tonight.

We enter the venue through the back door. Anticipation thrums through me, curious about the final touches, and yet anxious to put on a good show. Rather than lead to the back area where the private depravity will happen, we check in on the merchandise. It’s a mixture of perfectly trained slaves, and newbies who are barely at the start of their journeys…perfect for an auction where the theme is compliance, as it means we get to show off what our trainers can do, as well as advertise the possibilities with merchandise that is less refined.

I notice how Luca refuses to study the merchandise for long, the way his hands tighten at his sides, and how his jaw bunches before he forces himself to relax. I’d feel sorry for him if I didn’t know it’s going to get worse long before it gets better. Trial by fire.

We check out a few things backstage, make sure everything is in place, and allowing our guests to fill the theater before it’s time to start.

Dominic smiles at Luca and I, the look smug and perfect, before he walks on stage once the clock ticks over.

Luca and I stand in the wings off stage, watching as Dominic stands on the stage like he belongs there, the blood red curtains the perfect backdrop as he greets the audience and starts his spiel.

“We have a special show for you tonight. Not only will we have the normal auction full of gorgeous merchandise for you to bid on, but there will be a small…demonstration of their compliance as well, along with opportunities for you to see just how far the merchandise can be pushed…” His words hang in the air, the dark promise of depravity thick and enticing.

My blood buzzes, anticipation and, dare I say, excitement filling me. My clinging humanity is nowhere to be found as Dominic continues his speech.

“Tonight, you have the rare treat of watching how the Martelli Family prefers to handle their business.”

His words are my signal, and I step out of the shadows, walking onstage and fighting to not squint at the brightness of the spotlights.

The audience is dark, almost sinister, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d think we were talking to ourselves, but I do know better. I can feel the bloodlust in the air, the desire for sex and violence, preferably both at the same time.

This first auction will set the tone for the rest of the year, and everyone is anticipating the heady feeling of compliance…and are prepared to revel in the crushing violence of failure.

It’s a thrill, even if a bout of nerves shoots through me. Still…I can’t let Dominic down. The twisted parts of me come alive as I smile out into the audience, though I can’t see them.

“I think…before they start bidding, they get a tease of what they’re buying.” I play my part perfectly, the script rolling off my tongue as if it’s second nature.

The words are a cue for one of the trainers to bring out a piece of merchandise. This one so perfectly trained for auction she doesn’t fight or freeze up even as she steps into the spotlight.

Her head is down, hands cuffed at the small of her back, and her sheer nightie not leaving anything to the imagination.

“Cuffed or uncuffed?” the trainer asks.

I grin. “Uncuffed. E-45a is a good girl.”

The trainer undoes the cuffs and hands me the key before he slips back off stage.

I snap my fingers, and the girl goes to her knees, a perfect submissive pose. Running my fingers through her hair, I pet her before fisting the strands in my hand and saying, “E-45a has been through some of our best, more rigorous training. She is slated for sexual slavery and can please even the darkest of appetites…” Releasing her hair, I order, “Undress.”

She slips her arms through the sleeves of her nightie and lets it fall. It gets hung up on her pert breasts for a moment before falling to the floor and pooling around her.