Page 56 of Lukas

“It’s worse than you think. The program being used was incredibly complex. It was stealing money from multiple accounts, but not very large amounts. It was also collecting some sort of data. What sort, I have no idea, but…” Dominic trailed off.

“Just tell me.”

“It was all linked to Torres Software, Luke. I’m sorry.”

Lukas closed his eyes, rage and despair battling for control over him. Reina had used him to access the server room? Started a relationship with him so she could steal from the family?

“I’ll call you back, Dom.” He clicked end on the call.

No, she hadn’t used him for access to the server room. She’d already been in there, he’d just happened to catch her. But why would she get involved with him if she was stealing from him? Keeping your enemies closer?

And, Jesus, why would she even fucking do this in the first place? Reina hadn’t even been a part of Torres Software when her father was alive. Why would she be now, especially for illegal activities?

His blood turned to ice. She’d been taking money from numerous accounts housed in the Deeper Threat server rooms. That would include multiple mafia-connected individuals. Ones who wouldn’t stop to ask questions of Reina. Would let their fists or weapons do the talking for them.

He might be pissed as fucking hell at her, but he couldn’t stand the thought of Reina’s gentle body being broken the way mafia members would—rightfully, in their mind—take their justice.

Another text from Brax. I’m not sure how long I can keep them from hurting her.

Fuck. “Bruno, get me to the club, right fucking now.”

Bruno slammed on the gas. Lukas beat out a text to his cousin.

Do whatever you have to.

The five minutes it took to get him to the back door were the longest of his life. He leapt out of the car before it even stopped completely and through the club door, holding a hand up to keep security from stopping him then rushed to the private stairwell—punching in the same code Reina had hacked—and moved downstairs, praying he wasn’t too late.

At the bottom, he threw the door open and rushed forward, not sure whether to be relieved or not to find the normal sexual escapades going on around him. He saw Brax standing near one of the rooms for private play, designed like an office.

“I convinced them to wait for you. She’s not seriously hurt, but…”

“Thank you, cuz. I owe you. Call my brothers and get them here too, just in case.” He didn’t stop to say more. Reina wasn’t seriously hurt, that was all that mattered. But Lukas wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep it that way on his own.

He entered to the room to find a half dozen of the people his family had done business with for years. Some actually members of La Cosa Nostra, others trusted colleagues. All of them pissed. Margo and Victor two of them.

“Your pet has been naughty, Lukas,” Margo said, pointing to a corner over his shoulder. He turned and found Reina kneeling on the ground there, naked, with a ball-gag in her mouth.

Victor had already used his considerable talents in knots and binding on her. She was frog-tied—her wrists bound to her upper arms, ankles bound to her thighs. He’d gotten creative from there, using a separate rope wrapped around each knee and tied to the back of her waist to keep her legs sprawled open, completely exposed. A different rope, also tied at her waist, kept her wrists back by her shoulders, breasts thrust forward.

The ball-gag was tight, uncomfortable. Tears were streaming out of eyes that pleaded up at him.

“In case you’re tempted to feel sorry for her,” Margo continued, “you should take a look at this.”

He walked back to the table, watching security footage on a laptop. First a shot from six weeks ago, the night they’d first had sex. It was very definitely Reina sneaking down the hall and into the server room.

“She was caught red-handed tonight coming out. And word is, she’s been stealing from all of us,” Victor said.

Lukas turned back to Reina and crouched down in front of her. “I don’t want you to say one single word except to answer my questions.” She nodded, and he unclipped the ball-gag. “Did you set up the program to steal from the accounts of the people in this room?”

“Yes, but—”

He raised an eyebrow at her and she stopped, looking down. Only then did he let her continue. “But what?”

“I still have the money. None of it was spent. It’s not what you think.”

“What we think, pet—” Margo crossed until she was standing right beside Lukas “—no, what we know, is that you took money of ours that wasn’t yours. And if I didn’t happen to know what a fondness Lukas has for you, you would’ve already been subjected to a much harsher penalty. La Cosa Nostra doesn’t tolerate being stolen from.”

“Please, I’m sorry. I did take it, but not for my own gain.”

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