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T hankfully, the meeting disperses shortly afterward with no more drama. I have enough of a headache. I do stay back a moment as I want to talk with Roman alone. I wave Benjamin away as Roman and I stand. I lightly touch Roman’s arm, hoping I’m not going to piss anyone else off.

“I’m here. If you need to talk. We may be the Bosses, but we’re not alone. You’re still my friend, and we’re both going to need each other to get through this.” He doesn’t respond, aside from giving a sharp nod of understanding. I lean a little closer and drop my voice, “Oh, and by the way, I love what you’re wearing.”

I don’t stick around to see his response, but catch up to Benjamin, who looks like he’s ready to panic. His tension lessens when I’m within reach, but it doesn’t fully leave until we’re in the limo heading back to our territory. I stare at Luca before glancing at Marcus. I incline my head toward Luca and receive a nod from Marcus.

“I think that went well.” Luca pipes up and I grip my hands together to keep from doing—or saying—something that will result in an issue right now. “Of course, I still believe Benjamin should be taking lessons from me, instead of that psychopath, but at least this will help strengthen the ties between us. And he can keep an eye on those Amatos. I don’t know if I trust them…”

I growl, unable to let that pass. “Luca, Tennant is very good at what he does. Even Master acknowledged that. They’re giving us an honor. And I don’t care if you don’t trust them. We’re on the same side. We have to work together. That won’t happen if you keep putting your head up your ass!”

“Look, I am not thrilled about Tennant training Benjamin,” Ignacio cuts in. “But he is well known for what he does. And both Families have their own strengths. Combining them together makes the most sense. We have a mutual goal. For now, let’s focus on that.”

We all lapse into silence as the drive continues. There’s a thick feeling of anticipation, and it’s only when we reach the mansion that I can breathe. I bite my lip as I wait for them all to exit before me. That shit is going to take some time to get used to. Once we are in the entryway, Marcus grabs Luca, locking his arms behind him before he starts marching him upstairs.

“What the fuck are you doing?!” Luca fights against Marcus, which is foolish considering Marcus is far stronger. None of us bother to address his shouting. He’ll find out soon enough.

I turn toward Benjamin, frowning. “I do think that Tennant will be a good teacher, but be careful. He’s not to be fucked with.”

“I can do this.” Benjamin’s steely voice almost takes me by surprise. It’s not what I’m used to with my best friend, but he’s certainly embracing his role as my Second. It pains me slightly as I still remember when he was innocent of this world, but there’s nobody I’d rather have standing behind me than him.

“I have no doubts about you. Go ahead and get some rest. You’ll need it. I need to go take care of something.”

“I expected better from Luca, despite his issues in the past.” Ignacio sighs and shakes his head. “He fucked up. He’s been away too long. Need any help with the situation?”

“No, I’ve got this. Ignacio, I want you to run down more of that wedding planner. Hollis is right. We won’t pull anything from her electronics relating to the guy behind this. So let’s see what we can find on her instead.”

I don’t bother waiting for confirmation before I head up the stairs. Marcus is leaning against the door to the playroom, waiting for me. “You good?”

At least he doesn’t ask if I need help, even if I’m fucking nervous to be the one on this side of the equation. Of all the things I thought I’d have to do as Head of the Family, this wasn’t on my radar. But fuck if I’ll let Master down. And if that means teaching Luca a lesson…well, I’m not going to hide from it. At least it’s fucking Luca. I can’t say I’ve ever forgiven him for trying to kill me in the past.

“I’ve got this,” I finally reply to Marcus.

Looking me up and down, he pushes off the door. “I don’t have any doubt. Try not to let it go too far. We all know your history with him. All of our history.”

He clasps my shoulder before disappearing down the stairs, likely heading to his partner and their son. Rolling my shoulders, I take one last deep breath before shoving the door open. As it closes with a snick, I stop and stare at the scene in front of me.

Luca’s been stripped naked and is hanging by manacles from the ceiling. His feet aren’t locked down, and having been in his position multiple times, I’m not sure if that’s good or bad. On one hand, it won’t leave bruises on his ankles if there’s strong impact play. On the other hand, it’s a headfuck to force him into being still and take what’s given. It’s time to see if he’ll actually fall in line.

“What the fuck is going on?” Luca spits out, pulling at the chains. It’s a struggle not to roll my eyes.

“What’s going on is that you fucked up. You almost cost us our alliance. Not only did you insult Jude, but you wouldn’t shut the fuck up, thinking that you’re somehow more in charge than I am. I am now the Boss. Neither of us may want that, but it’s the fucking truth.

“You don’t have a role. Benjamin is my Second because I trust him. So far, you’re not giving me any reason to believe you can be helpful. What’s to stop me from putting you on a plane back to where you’re supposed to be? Where Il Padrone told you to be.”

“He would want me here! You’re too new to this!”

“I see we need to come to an agreement here…and by agreement, I mean, you need to learn your fucking place. Don’t worry, Master taught me how to give out punishments.” I bare my teeth at him and he recoils as much as he can, worry finally seeping in—about fucking time.

I turn around and head toward Master’s wall of toys. There are so many options, from floggers to canes, and everything in between. Hell, I don’t think I’ve even been able to play with all of them—whether as a punishment or for fun. Master keeps us in line with his brand of sexual sadism, and it’s fucking perfect. I know I won’t come close to the deviousness he would dish out, but fuck if I won’t try to at least make him proud.

Grabbing one of the push carts, I place a few things on it. A paddle, a cane, a whip, and I even toss a prostate massager onto it. Forced orgasms can be an excellent form of torture, but fuck, I don’t think he deserves an ounce of pleasure.

I push the table over to where he’s been left hanging and check him over impassively. I’ll never understand him. Fuck, I don’t understand why Master still has any amount of love for him. Then again, who the hell said love makes any fucking sense.

Luca barely glances at the toys. I’m sure he thinks I can’t do anything worthwhile to him. When I pull my knife out, his eyes widen and I laugh softly.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Luca asks, his voice an octave higher than normal.

“I’m reminding you exactly where you belong—which is not anywhere near the top. You want to be here? Fine. Then prove you deserve it, and most of all, understand that you’re on the same level as the Boys. You aren’t in charge of them, you sure as fuck aren’t above Benjamin, and you don’t come close to me. I. Am. In. Charge. Right now? I own all of you.”

Before he can say anything, I place the flat side of my knife against his neck, drawing it from one side to the other. He flinches and I grunt at his inability to keep still. Flipping the knife over, I slowly drag the sharp edge along the same path. It’s a shallow cut, but enough to watch blood swell up and drip down. I cock my head as I start to drag my knife down the middle of his body, keeping the wound superficial, even if I’m tempted to go deeper.

Luca presses his feet against the floor, pushing himself backward. Growling, I reach for him as he spits out, “What the fuck?! Are you a psychopath?!”

Sighing, I grab his arm, pulling him closer toward me. “Compliments won’t get you anywhere. Now stay still or you’ll run the risk of me going deeper.”

“Fuck,” he mutters as I continue my path, stopping right before his dick.

Humming, I stroke him to hardness, almost clinically. I don’t give a fuck if it’s pleasurable, but I want him to realize everything comes down to me. He no longer has a say in anything. Luca gasps in pleasure as I add a twist on the upstroke, and I chuckle darkly, pressing the knife in just above his cock.

“You’re going to come. If you don’t, I’ll cut off your dick. I want you to remember this feeling—the way I have you in pain and pleasure. I control both, and if you fuck up again? You’ll only feel the pain.”

Going deeper with the knife, as I continue to bring him to the edge, I sweep my thumb through the blood and add it to the hand job. It’s a horrible lube, but it’s something at least. I tighten my grip as I lean forward and whisper in his ear.

“Come. Now!” With that command, he lets go, and I wait until he finishes before I remove my knife. Smiling, I show him the bloody tip. “Now we know how to get you off. I’ll remember that if needed again. But, I don’t think you’ve learned your lesson yet.”

“Oh fuck,” he mutters as his legs go soft and the manacles carry most of his weight. I wink at him as I grab the paddle, moving behind him.

“Now, I remember when you gave me a punishment. Let’s see if you feel the same way when I do it to you.” I gently run my fingers down his back, encouraging some of the tension to leave. I carefully tap his ass with the paddle. “Count.”

I strike the globes of his ass, knowing not to go up any higher. I start out light before ramping up the intensity. I chose this paddle for a reason. It’s drilled out with one word: Mine. I want him to be able to feel it and remember that while he’s here, and I’m Head of the Family, he belongs to me.

By the time I reach twenty, he’s crying. At thirty, he breaks down and I back off, finishing with five light taps to bring him down. I press my fingers against the word covering his ass, loving the heat. I briefly consider fucking him, but discard it. While an orgasm may reduce my stress, I have no desire to reach it with Luca. At least not right now.

I carefully put the paddle back on the cart before I undo the manacles. With an oomph, I catch Luca as he collapses into me. I grit my teeth as I struggle to move him to the bed in the playroom. I finally manage to make it over there, and unceremoniously dump him onto it.

Sighing, I grab the arnica cream so that I can treat his ass. I rub it in, trying to be gentle as he starts to come around.

“I won’t interfere again.” His voice is scratchy from the sobs, but it’s enough.

“Good. Because I don’t want to have to punish you again. Especially because next time I won’t be so nice.”

“Yes, Boss.”

I breathe out, letting the tension flow out of my body. That acknowledgement is what I needed. “Get some rest. We’re going to need all hands on deck to find our Master.”

It’s the only small peace offering I can give right now. I make sure he has a glass of water next to the bed before I leave, letting him slip into sleep. When I walk out of the room, I’m not surprised to find Benjamin waiting, even though I gave him time off.

“He still alive?”

“Yeah, I was careful.” I run my right hand through my hair, resisting the urge to yank on it. Fuck.

“You’re already doing great as a Boss. It’ll get easier in time. Now, how about we get you some coffee to cheer you up?” Benjamin nudges my side, drawing a smile from me.

“Only if we can terrorize the chef.”

“I have no idea why the two of you like to fuck with each other so much, but whatever. If it makes you happy.” Benjamin snorts as I follow him down the stairs, taking in the crystal chandelier when we get to the bottom.

The sight causes me to flash back to the moment I met Master, and how I had no clue what was going to happen. Both Benjamin and I were brought into the Family through unconventional—and unwilling—means, but look at us now.

“It does. Oh, and I get to remind him I’m the Boss now. That will definitely be fun.”

Benjamin’s loud laugh reverberates in the entryway. My own laugh is more muted, but it’s there. Thank fuck for his friendship. It’s the only way I may get through this.