Page 10 of The Brat's Bargain

"Why?" he asked, voice muffled by Damien's shirt. "Why go through all this? Why not just turn me over to Rizzo or my mother?"

Damien's hand came up to stroke Antonio's hair, the gesture surprisingly gentle. "Because you're far too valuable to waste on either of them. You have potential, pet. Raw, untapped potential that I intend to shape into something extraordinary."

He tilted Antonio's chin up, forcing their eyes to meet. "You belong to me now. The sooner you accept that, the easier things will be for both of us."

Antonio wanted to argue, to rail against the unfairness of it all. But exhaustion was creeping in, his body and mind wrung out from the intense experience. He found himself nodding, too drained to put up any more resistance.

"Good boy," Damien murmured, pressing a kiss to Antonio's forehead. "Rest now. We have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow."

As Antonio drifted off, cradled in Damien's arms, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was falling deeper into something he might never be able to escape.

***-

Across town, in the opulent Lombardi family compound, Vivian paced her study like a caged tigress. It had been days since she'd heard from Antonio, and her motherly instincts were screaming that something was wrong.

"Any word?" she snapped at Lorenzo, who stood nervously by the door.

Lorenzo shook his head, expression grim. "Nothing, Donna Vivian. His usual haunts are coming up empty. It's like he's vanished into thin air."

Vivian's eyes narrowed dangerously. "People don't just vanish, Lorenzo. Not in my city. Someone knows something, and I want you to find out what. Use whatever means necessary."

"Of course, Donna," Lorenzo replied, bowing his head respectfully. "I won't rest until we find him."

As Lorenzo hurried out to continue the search, Vivian sank into her chair, allowing herself a moment of vulnerability. Where was her boy? What trouble had he gotten himself into this time?

And more importantly... who would pay the price when she found out?

***-

The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Damien's penthouse, bathing the kitchen in warm light. Antonio sat stiffly at the marble island, pushing eggs around his plate as Damien sipped his coffee, watching him with those intense blue eyes.

"You're not eating," Damien observed, his voice deceptively casual. "I thought I made it clear that taking care of yourself was part of our arrangement."

Antonio's grip tightened on his fork. "Forgive me if I've lost my appetite," he bit out. "Being held captive tends to do that to a person."

Damien set his mug down with a sharp click. "We've been over this, pet. You're not a captive. You're here of your own free will, remember?"

"Because the alternative was being fed to the wolves," Antonio snapped. "Some choice."

In an instant, Damien was behind him, strong hands gripping Antonio's shoulders. "Watch that tone," he growled, lips brushing Antonio's ear. "Or I'll have to remind you of your place before we leave."

A shiver ran down Antonio's spine, his body's traitorous response to Damien's dominance making him squirm. "Leave?" he asked, hating how breathless he sounded. "Where are we going?"

Damien's grip loosened, one hand coming up to card through Antonio's hair. The gentle touch was at odds with the steel in his voice. "We're going shopping. You need a wardrobe befitting your new position. Can't have you looking like some street rat I picked up on a whim."

Antonio bristled at the implication. "What's wrong with my clothes?"

Damien chuckled, the sound low and dangerous. "Oh, pet. Those rags might have passed muster in your old life, but you're mine now. And what's mine will be dressed to impress."

He moved back to his seat, fixing Antonio with a stern look. "Now, finish your breakfast. We leave in an hour, and I expect you to be on your best behavior. This will be your first public appearance as my companion, and I won't tolerate any embarrassment."

Antonio's stomach churned with a mix of anxiety and anticipation. "And if I refuse to play along with this little charade?"

Damien's smile was all teeth. "Then you'll be punished. Thoroughly and creatively. And believe me, pet, you don't want to test my imagination in that department."

The threat sent a jolt of heat straight to Antonio's core. He ducked his head, focusing on his plate to hide his flushed cheeks. "Fine," he muttered. "I'll be good."

"That's my boy," Damien purred, satisfaction evident in his voice. "Eat up now. You'll need your strength for what I have planned."

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