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11

SADIE

There’s a knock on the door, but I ignore it even when I hear the door to my room open. It’s early and I was up too damn late last night. After Matteo gave me the grand tour, I started searching through Hawk’s phone and discovered the video he had of me and Thomas in the basement. I spent most of the night digging through Trident’s files trying to figure out why they would send that to Hawk and set me up with the club that way. I’m left to wonder if they even understood what the club would do to a traitor now. After one escaping and the other dying in the cell, I can’t see them wasting anytime to dole out punishment for me.

Unfortunately, all I was able to find was the email address it was sent from and the video clip. There’s nothing else in the files. But I know how these guys work, and Tate knows my skill level. I just need time to find where he’s hiding all of his shit.

The light flooding the room as the curtains are pulled back has me tossing a pillow over my head and grumbling curse words from underneath them at whoever has decided to be an asshole this morning.

“I’m sorry, Miss, but Mr. Parisi has asked that we wake you up promptly at six this morning and get you ready for your training. That means you have ten minutes to use the facilities, get dressed, and be down at the table for breakfast. You start your first session at seven. will come to collect you from the dining room.” I peek out from under the pillow at the older woman and refrain from cussing her out. It’s not her fault. She’s just following the orders of a rude Italian jackass in an expensive suit who doesn’t understand my need for sleep. Marta gives a slight bow then trails off out of the room.

I shove my head back under the pillows and scream into the mattress. It doesn’t change anything, but I do feel slightly better.

“Trying to suffocate yourself so soon?” Matteo’s velvet voice fills the room. I toss the pillows at his smug ass standing, leaning in the doorway, but they fall at his feet missing their intended target. He quirks his brow at me as tsks. “Good thing we haven’t started your training yet or you’d start your day with a sore ass. Get up, Sadie. Let’s not start off on the wrong foot so quickly. Hmm.” He turns and walks away, but I hear his light chuckle fading as he goes.

“Asshole.” I grumble to myself. I have no idea what a sore ass means, but I have a pretty good idea, and self-preservation is currently high on my list of priorities.

Reluctantly, I drag myself out of bed and get dressed in a pair of yoga pants, an old t-shirt and my tennis shoes. Since I’m not sure exactly what training we will be doing today, but I’m shooting for comfort. With my hair thrown up in a messy bun and my teeth now brushed, I head down to the dining room where I find Sergio and Matteo speaking softly in Italian. As soon as they see me, they stop talking.

Ominous much?

“Good morning, Dolcezza.” Matteo greets as if I didn’t just interrupt their conversation. “Come. Sit. Eat.”

“Woof.” The reply slips out before I can stop it, and Matteo’s eyes narrow. I raise my hand and quickly offer an apology. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. But you have to know that sarcasm is my second language and one I am extremely fluent in being raised with a bunch of bikers, so you’ll have to allow some type of grace while I learn the rules and stuff.”

“I’m sure you’ll learn to control the sarcasm quickly, lest your ass should pay the price for your mouth.” Matteo shrugs. “I’m sure you would prefer to put an end to your bad habits swiftly. But, so we’re clear, it’s no hardship for me to teach you a lesson in respect.”

My hands automatically move to cover my ass, and I find my way into a seat just outside of Matteo’s reach. His face breaks out in a knowing smirk, but he doesn’t say anything else. He doesn’t have to.

“So, what’s the plan? What are we working on today?” I ask and watch as Marta places a plate with a hearty breakfast of eggs, bacon and toast in front of me.

“Obedience.” Matteo says flatly. Sergio chuckles across the table, and I glare back at him. I would throw my butter knife at the jackass, but if sarcasm will get me spanked, I’m not sure I want to know what throwing cutlery at his right-hand man will get me.

“First, you’ll spar with Sergio in the gym. I know you’ve worked with Anna and Skyler at Ethan’s gym, but I need to see where your weaknesses are so Sergio can help you improve as well as teach you new ways to survive.”

“Survive?” I say around a bite of food, earning me another glare. I quickly finish my bite and swallow before asking, “I thought we were working on my fighting skills and then, you know, the submissive stuff.”

“You will train in hand-to-hand combat as well as knives and guns. I want you to be as well prepared as possible to fend off an attacker, but the biggest lesson you’ll learn is how to take a punch and not be broken by anyone.” I drop my next bite onto the plate before it gets to my mouth.

“You’re going to have to explain that one to me because I can assure you, I have no desire to allow someone to turn me into a punching bag for shits and giggles.”

“Language, Miss Jenkins.” Matteo chides. “The goal is not to turn you into a punching bag, but to make your body strong enough that no one would be able to break you. You cannot be weak in any way, mentally or physically. Once we get into these parties and people see you are with me and a submissive, they will want to test your limits, and you must be prepared in the event someone tries.”

“But you’re there to keep that from happening. You’re supposed to protect me while we do this, right?” My voice shakes a little with uncertainty, and Matteo is quick to catch it.

Holding my chin with his hand, he stares me straight in the eyes and with the utmost determination, he promises, “You will be protected, but you will also be prepared. There are no guarantees in this life, in our way of life, and I will not have you charging your way into danger without being able to fight your way out should I fall.”

I swallow hard. The thought of Matteo or any of his men getting hurt in this situation never even crossed my mind. He’s not as close to me as any of the club guys, but he’s still been a good friend and a strong business partner. He’s encouraging and never tried to talk me out of doing anything I want to with my products. He’s left all creative control to me. Losing him would mean more than just losing financial backing, it would be like losing a close friend.

Shit.

“No one will break me. I’ll do whatever it takes to come out of this alive and hopefully prepared to start a new life. I can’t have that if I let some as…er…jerk break me down.”

Matteo’s lips twitch as he gives me a subtle nod. “Good save. But this is why your training is so important. Some of the places we may have to venture into may require you to do things you are not accustomed to, and you need to appear as if it is second nature to you. DO you understand?”

“What things?” And why does the way he said that fill my heart with trepidation?

“You remember when Nate told you about the parties that were being held were always moving around?” I nod but narrow my eyes. I hadn’t told him anything about my conversation with Nate, but if he knows, then either Thomas or Tate must’ve debriefed him. I thought I was going to meet with Vincenzo before coming here to tell him everything I had learned, but I haven’t heard from him since I was picked up from my home.

“Most of the time, the parties are made to appear as simple dinners or mixers at fancy hotels or nightclubs owned by various businessmen.” He explains. “But sometimes, they meet in places that are a little more deviant than that.”

“What do you mean?”

Matteo sighs, rubbing his chin with his hand as if contemplating if he should tell me. “Sometimes they meet in kink clubs or luxurious homes of people known to host kink parties. If we should get invited to one of those places, you and I will need to be seen as being intimate partners. It may require us to demonstrate.” He pauses, watching me carefully.

Does he think we’re going to be having sex in front of people?

My chest tightens. The thought of having sex with anyone after what I just did with Nathaniel - it’s painful to consider.

He’s probably already fucked a club whore to wipe you out of his system.

I hate to believe he would be so heartless, but I’ve watched Hawk a number of times use one of those women to make him feel less shitty about a situation. He has a few drinks then takes one back to his room, if they even get that far, and fucks his bad mood away.

The few bites of food I’ve eaten thus far are sitting at the base of my throat threatening to make another appearance.

“We must make you comfortable enough with me. I must have your trust at all times -in all situations. Even those of undress.”

“I’m not having sex with you.” I blurt out before I can stop myself.

Matteo smiles. “Well, that’s disappointing.” There’s a note of sarcasm in his voice. “But no one said anything about having sex, and for the record, I do not force women to have sex with me Miss Jenkins. However, we may have to appear as though we do. You may be instructed to sit on my lap or kneel at my feet. I may rub your thighs or caress your skin. All public displays that give off the air of an intimate couple. We will practice these things so you will become comfortable with my touch and not be frightened by it. Do you understand?” He leans back in his seat, arms crossed over his chest as his eyes rake over my body slowly.

Holy shit. I nod but say nothing. I’ve never pictured Matteo as a boyfriend or lover. It’s weird. Not bad, weird. I mean, he’s handsome and his arrogance, though annoying, can also be sexy at times. But to be comfortable with allowing him to touch me, to take charge of me? I’m freaking out a little inside.

“Depending on the location, you may be required to wear revealing clothing, or sometimes, nothing at all. Of course, I will do everything I can to ensure this isn’t the case, but you will need to be prepared either way. It must appear to others as if it is a normal, everyday occurrence. In essence, Miss Jenkins, to the outside world you will be my obedient sub. Which means if I tell you to strip in front of others, you will do so without hesitation or embarrassment. You must come off as confident but subdued, differing to me in everything. You are not to address or speak to anyone else unless given express permission by me when we are in our rolls. I will be in charge from this moment forward, and you will obey. Do you understand?”

“Will I be rewarded, Master?” I mean the words to be a joke, saying them breathy like Marilyn Monroe, but the look on Matteo’s face says he finds it anything but funny.

He leans forward, his voice low and domineering. “If it’s praise and rewards you need to incentivize you, Dolcezza, I can accommodate that for you.”

What have I gotten myself into and why do I find myself extremely intrigued by this?

“I get what you’re saying. I just …” I pause trying to find the right words to explain what I’m feeling. “I’m not ashamed of my body, but I’m also not as experienced as others, if you catch my drift. Just because I grew up in the clubhouse doesn’t mean I’m anything like the club girls who walk around in any state of undress and fuck anything with a dick between its legs. I’m not looking to have sex in front of a crowd while a bunch of perverted bastards get off on watching me.”

Matteo arches that damn disapproving brow again. “I didn’t think you were like those other women, and if I did, you wouldn’t be here. No disrespect to the women in the club who choose that way of life, but this particular situation calls for someone with more refines, with a little more grace, and self-worth. As for your innocence and naivete, I can assure you it will work in our favor.”

“What we are looking for is a balance between fiery personality and submission. Most of the men buying these women and children from the traffickers are looking for people to break and own. To use until they are no longer a pretty, shiny, new toy. They are twisted individuals, to put it mildly.”

“Yeah, not the words I would use, but since you’ve already threatened to roast my backside this morning, we’ll go with your version.”

Sergio smirks at me. “She is learning.” He’s been quietly observing everything up till now, and if I’m honest, it’s a little unnerving.

“The men at the top-the ones with money, power and influence- those are the men we’re after. They’re the ones pulling all the strings and running things without getting their hands dirty. But they all have the same weakness.” He shakes his head. “They have their playthings or side piece as I’ve heard you ladies call them. But what they really want is a submissive partner to parade around in public and warm their bed every night, while they feed their sadistic tastes elsewhere. Though that does not mean they won’t be sadistic assholes at home as well. They’ll just hide it better. They need someone who can be seen in the public’s eye as being loyal and submissive to their Master. Who will not make a fool of them in front of others by throwing tantrums or frivolously spending money. Someone who will boost their reputation and bring them favor in the eyes of the people around them. It’s all for show.”

“I know what you’re talking about.” I scoff. “The guys in the prep school me and Avery attended were all selective about who they were seen with. They slept with everyone, even those who didn’t give consent. They didn’t care. If anything, ever came of it their daddies would pay off the parties involved, and the reports would magically disappear. But when it came to who they would be marrying after high school, those merges were already preplanned. The girls were preselected by their families. They were the quiet, shy, never got into any trouble or talked back to anyone, girls. The ones who were naturally overlooked in everyday settings, but who had been groomed to not make eye contact, speak softly when spoken to, and never raise a fuss about anything no matter how angry they may have been. They were also the ones who came to school wearing long sleeves and skirts down to their ankles when it was hot as balls outside to cover their bruises.” I lean back in my seat, remembering how Avery had been hiding her bruises from me for so long. But Eleanor was smart enough to only leave marks where they could be covered, but never enough to put Avery in inappropriate clothing that would cause suspicion.

Fucking bitch.

“Then you understand why it is important that for all intents and purposes, we must sell your obedience, and your body to the highest bidder.”

“I’m not a whore, Matteo.” I snap. “I get what you’re saying, and I’m willing to do what you’re asking, but you need to understand where my limits are. I will not have sex with anyone.”

“Then we need to teach you how to kill any man who would attempt to make you do so.”

His words are so nonchalant I almost have to ask if he’s for real. But then Sergio pushes his chair back, stands to his feet, and says, “I’ll let Asha know we are ready to work on self-defense. Weapons, or no?”

“I know how to use a gun. I grew up with the club.” I answer, but it’s not me he’s talking to. Matteo smirks, looking over his shoulder to where Sergio stands.

“Hand-to-hand first.” He turns back to me. “We need to make sure your temper is under control before we hand you a weapon.” The look he gives me says he knows I’ll lose my shit and pull the trigger. It’s happened before, but Jake forgave me, eventually.