Page 12 of Stolen Compliance

“I can show you how not soft I am…if you want,” Dominic says dryly, though we all know he doesn’t mean it. Kari is off-limits per the Boss’s orders; unlike me.

“Don’t even,” Sergio says unnecessarily.

Kari laughs, light and free and one hundred percent fake. “Don’t worry, Papa. I wouldn’t touch him if he was the last man on earth… Luca on the other hand… now maybe we should tell him the rules.” She grins slyly and leans into the man in question a bit.

My father grunts and says, “Luca knows how important family is, coming from my cousin’s. He wouldn’t dare touch someone who belongs to me without my permission.”

“Of course not. Don’t worry, your…daughter is safe with me.” He looks to my father for clarification on Kari’s role.

“Kari may not be my daughter by blood, but her father was a dear friend. She is mine and is very good at helping with her little corner of the world, but I look forward to the day she marries and settles down like a proper woman.”

I might not care for Kari because she’s a stuck-up, dangerous bitch with a temper that’d make you think she was a natural redhead, but our father’s blatant misogyny has me wincing on her behalf.

The next course comes out, and Kari turns to Luca, fluttering her eyelashes as she asks, “Is it true you all fuck each other over on the East Coast?”

I choke on the piece of meat I’ve just put in my mouth. Sergio admonishes with a stern “Kari,” and Dominic chuckles lightly, touching his foot to mine under the table.

Luca glances at Sergio, seeming to carefully weigh his words before he says, “I wouldn’t quite put it that way, but Il Padrone certainly has a rather…unique way of training his inner circle. We prefer to keep our bonds tight, to build trust and guarantee there are no weak links.” He flicks his eyes to Dominic briefly, and I smother a smile, sure with what he’s seen today he’s found the man lacking.

Dominic’s fingers tighten around his dinner knife, and I knock my foot against his, uncaring if it draws his ire to me. The scene in the foyer got my blood pumping, and my cock is upset that Kari interrupted. The bite of his knife to my throat was barely enough to scratch that delicious temptation that was awoken long ago, even if I remind myself that what he did to me, the games he played with my life, were nothing more than him being a puppet to the man sitting at the head of the table.

Doesn’t mean I don’t want to stab him and then make him fuck me with his blood… Fuck, a trip to one of the whorehouses is in order if I’m fantasizing about fucking Dominic.

“Interesting…” Kari says, her gaze also flicking to me and Dominic. “I could potentially see the merit…”

Sergio scoffs. “Trusting too many with your secrets is how you get killed.”

Dominic nods in agreement, and it’s all I can do to not roll my eyes at what a suck-up he is.

“True, but when you establish loyalty, you strengthen your reach,” Luca says cautiously.

“I suppose. Can’t say I’m surprised by the path Allesandro went down, considering who his father was and the training he went through.” There’s pity in Sergio’s voice, and I truly believe he means what he says. He actually feels bad for the other Boss… an unexpected turn of events.

I can see the way Luca’s eyes darken and he adjusts his grip on his knife before relaxing. At least he’s not stupid enough to challenge the Boss, despite his hot button being pushed.

“It is very clear we have two different styles of leadership in the Families, and I am looking forward to bringing my suggestions and recommendations home at the end of my visit, and if you could allow, to give you counsel and insight into ways that may help your operations.”

Sergio gives Luca’s political answer with one of his own. “I’m sure learning more about my cousin’s side of things will be…enlightening.”

With that, the rest of dinner passes by mundanely, surface level conversation and the last few courses of the delicious but boring Italian meal. Thankfully, we don’t have to do these dinners often, only when my father is feeling inspired or like he needs to remind us of who is in charge. Most of the time dinner is taken with whoever is around, and they are much less elaborate. Half the time, I can get out of even that, much preferring my own company to anyone else’s at the table.

By the time dessert is finished and the final coffee served, I’m exhausted, ready to head to my quarters and lock the world out. Thankfully, Sergio doesn’t push too far past the two-hour dinner mark.

“I do hope you enjoy your stay with us, Luca. Despite today’s…mishap, don’t hold that against us; there is still so much for you to learn.”

Luca inclines his head. “I understand, more than most, when things go wrong. Today was…eye-opening. I am looking forward to seeing more.”

I almost believe him.

Sergio stands and my shoulders relax, knowing the pretense is almost over. “I will leave you then. Please, let Dominic or Teo know if you need anything. Principessa, you will join me for breakfast, yes? We can discuss more of your most recent dates and some suitors I believe you will like.”

“Of course, Papa. I look forward to it.”

Sergio nods, casts one last look at us all, and strides out of the room.

It’s as if a sigh settles over us, and I revel in the silence for a moment before Kari laughs and downs her coffee. “I don’t know about you boys, but I need a drink after this fabulous evening. Anyone up for joining me?”

“Pass.” I toss my napkin on the table and stand. “I am headed to bed.” I meet Luca’s eyes. “We start bright and early tomorrow, newbie. Don’t be late again.”