Page 13 of Stolen Compliance

With that, I leave the dining room, exhaustion following my every step. By the time my door is shut and locked behind me, I take my first full, true breath all day, happy to shed the title of heir for the night.

Slipping into my room, I sigh deeply. Fucking hell. Today was… a lot. Allesandro tried to warn me. To make sure I knew these people lived in a level of darkness that would turn my stomach, but fuck. I’ve seen Allesandro do some shady shit, joined him gleefully at times, but for the most part, innocents were off-limits. Not to mention, his cousin’s misogyny…

Kari is an interesting player, though. And it’s very clear she’s a player in her own right. Whether her father sees it or not… there’s a layer of ruthlessness there that would be interesting to see develop.

It didn’t escape my attention that I was being considered as a potential option for Kari. It also speaks highly of how much Sergio does care for Allesandro. As a Second, I normally wouldn’t be considered. It’s a dangerous game, but I’m sure Sergio knows that not all of Il Padrone’s Boys are gay. Granted, I’m not like Marcus—women hold no sexual appeal to me—but I wonder if Kari is someone who can be leveraged in the future.

Risky… so risky. But if I’m going to take over, I’ll need strong people beside me. And she certainly has skill. The question is… Could I ever trust her not to stab me in the back?

Shaking off everything I’ve learned today, I quickly take a shower and get ready for bed. Setting my alarm carefully, I hope I can fall asleep without trouble. Tomorrow promises to be a long day. Especially if we’ll be going after innocents. And fuck, I’m glad Allesandro isn’t here to see that shit.

Most who entered Allesandro’s inner circle at least knew the score. Lio never did. It’s the one time I saw Allesandro break the rules so egregiously. Yet as much as I occasionally hate Lio, even I wonder if Il Padrone merely saw the kid’s potential. Death is certainly the right moniker for him…

Groaning, I put it aside, willing myself to sleep. After all, tomorrow is going to be another day of tests. If today was only a taste of the shit they’re into, I fear it’s going to get far worse. I may end up needing to call Il Padrone for backup, because some sins cling too hard, too long, that the blackness can’t be scrubbed out completely.

When the alarm clock goes off, I curse but roll out of bed. Darting into the bathroom, I take care of my morning needs and start to get ready for the day. By the time I’ve finished, I’m a good hour earlier than when they dragged me out yesterday.

I don’t bother to congratulate myself, merely head toward the kitchen in hopes they at least let me have coffee before throwing me to the wolves. When I walk in, I’m surprised to find Dominic is the only one there. I hesitate, unsure how to approach being around him this morning.

“Are you just going to stand there, newbie?” Dominic asks as he cuts a piece of toast before carefully placing it in his mouth.

My jaw drops at the sight. I thought he was a psychopath before, but what the fuck is that shit? It’s a piece of toast! And he’s eating it like a damn steak.

“Get what you want. Kitchen is open—at least until we leave. There’s food in the warmers,” Dominic grumbles before raising his dark eyes toward me. “Wait… do you even know how to do shit for yourself? Didn’t I hear the East Coast was all richie rich and had everything catered to their whims?”

Snorting, I shake my head. “I have plenty of experience making my own meals. Although, to answer your question, Il Padrone believes strongly in family meals. Dinners if nothing else, but if he had his way, it would be every meal.”

“And yet he’s the big bad mafia Boss?” Dominic snorts as he cuts another piece of toast.

I quickly grab a cup of coffee and make a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon. Sitting down across from Dominic, I try to think of how to word it. Nothing I say will make a difference. Hell, I know that. And yet, I’m compelled to say something all the same.

“There are different ways to inspire loyalty,” I say slowly. “There is fear and there is care. He utilizes both as needed. As his Boys, we know that he cares, even if some would consider it in a fucked-up way. They don’t know him.

“That doesn’t mean he doesn’t know how to play the game. Many of us didn’t have a choice in becoming who we are now. For the most part, it worked out well.”

“Hmm.” Dominic shrugs as he takes a gulp of his coffee.

For a while, we don’t speak and I focus on my breakfast. Fuck knows shit will get hard later. It’s not a comfortable silence, but Dominic seems to be the type to enjoy putting people on edge. Considering I’ve ended up in the black room a time or two from Il Padrone, I’m far more used to discomfort than Dominic expects.

Teo walks in, heading straight for the coffee pot. After having his fix, he turns and leans against the counter. The sound he makes when he takes a sip… Fuck. I never knew a sound like that could come from drinking coffee and I spent too long around Lio.

Considering the way Dominic’s attention swivels toward Teo, I’m not the only man riled up. Teo blinks lazily as he straightens up and walks toward us. Gracefully, he sits next to Dominic, far closer than I expected. Given Dominic’s smirk, I’m not going to get a damn answer out of them regarding their relationship.

“So you survived yesterday. And kudos for managing the command performance. For fresh meat, you didn’t do half bad. I still don’t give you high odds of survival though,” Teo states before taking another sip of coffee. Suddenly, his face blooms with a sly smile. “It seems that Kari took a shine to you.”

Meeting his gaze steadily, I shrug one shoulder. “Your…sister…is quite charming. It was a pleasure to meet her.”

“Oh? Perhaps you’re not gay?” Teo asks lightly, his gaze sharpening as he studies me closely.

Laughing, I shake my head. “Oh, I am very much gay. I’m the wrong Martelli for her, and the ones who do go her way are already spoken for, quite firmly. But that doesn’t stop me from realizing she’s extremely charming and…formidable.”

Both Teo and Dominic snort at that before essentially dismissing me. Instead, Teo grabs Dominic’s attention.

“Are you going after both the daughter and son today?” Teo asks carefully.

Dominic quirks an eyebrow as he sets his plate aside, turning to face Teo. “Is that a problem?”

“Not at all,” Teo replies smoothly. “I just want to make sure you’re prepared. I’m not satisfied with the information I was given this morning.”