Page 30 of The Brat's Bargain

"You want to know if it was real?" he snarled, gripping Antonio's chin roughly. "This is real."

He crashed his lips to Antonio's in a bruising kiss, all teeth and tongue and desperate need. Antonio moaned despite himself, fingers tangling in Damien's shirt as he pulled him closer.

When they finally broke apart, both panting, Damien rested his forehead against Antonio's. "Everything about us is real, baby," he murmured, voice rough with emotion. "The good, the bad, all of it. I love you, you stubborn little brat. Even when you drive me fucking crazy."

Antonio's breath caught at the admission. He wanted to believe it, wanted to throw caution to the wind and give himself over to Damien completely. But the nagging voice of doubt, of self-preservation, held him back.

"I need proof," he whispered. "Not just words or... or mind-blowing sex. I need to know I can trust you, Damien. That this isn't just another power play."

Damien pulled back, jaw clenched. "And how am I supposed to prove that? What do you want from me, Antonio?"

"I don't know!" Antonio cried, frustration bubbling over. "That's why I need time. Space to think without you clouding my judgment every time you touch me."

Hurt flashed across Damien's face, quickly masked by cold anger. "Fine," he bit out. "Take all the time you need. But don't expect me to wait around forever while you figure out if I'm worth the trouble."

The words stung, hitting Antonio's deepest insecurities. "Maybe you shouldn't wait at all," he snapped. "Go find someone else to be your obedient little boy toy. I'm sure there's no shortage of willing victims."

Damien's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Careful, brat. You're treading on thin ice."

"Or what?" Antonio challenged, recklessness overriding common sense. "You'll punish me? Sorry to burst your bubble, Daddy, but you don't own me. Not anymore."

For a moment, Damien looked like he might actually strike him. But then he stepped back, his face a cold mask. "You're right," he said, voice devoid of emotion. "I don't own you. I never did. Clearly, this was all a mistake."

The finality in his tone sent a chill down Antonio's spine. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. He opened his mouth to backtrack, to say something—anything—to fix the chasm opening between them.

But Damien was already turning away, striding towards the door with purpose. "I'll have your things sent to your mother's," he said over his shoulder. "Goodbye, Antonio."

"Damien, wait—" Antonio called, struggling to sit up despite the pain lancing through his side. But it was too late.

The door closed with a quiet click, leaving Antonio alone with the crushing weight of what he'd just done.

As tears began to fall, hot and bitter down his cheeks, Antonio couldn't shake the feeling that he'd just made the biggest mistake of his life. He'd pushed Damien away, hurt him in ways he wasn't sure could be mended.

And now, faced with the prospect of a life without the man who'd become his entire world, Antonio realized just how deep his feelings ran.

He loved Damien. God help him, he loved that possessive, infuriating, beautiful man with every fiber of his being.

But was it too late? Had he ruined everything in his misguided attempt at self-protection?

As Antonio curled in on himself, body wracked with sobs, he prayed for a chance to make things right. To prove to Damien—and to himself—that what they had was worth fighting for.

Even if it meant going against his family, against everything he'd ever known. Because a life without Damien... it wasn't a life Antonio wanted to contemplate.

CHAPTER 12

ULTIMATUM

Antonio stood at the window of his childhood bedroom, gazing out at the manicured lawns of the Lombardi estate. The familiar surroundings felt suffocating now, a gilded cage he'd once been so desperate to escape. But the alternative—a life without Damien—seemed equally unbearable.

A soft knock at the door pulled him from his brooding thoughts. "Come in," he called, already knowing who it would be.

Vivian Lombardi entered, her face a mask of concern and determination. "Antonio, darling," she began, her voice gentle but firm. "We need to talk about your... situation with Damien Benedetti."

Antonio's jaw clenched. "There's nothing to talk about, Mom. I'm a grown man. I can make my own decisions."

Vivian's eyes flashed with a mixture of fear and frustration. "Can you? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're throwing your life away for a man who's only going to bring you pain and danger."

"You don't know him," Antonio protested, but the words sounded weak even to his own ears.

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