Page 14 of The Brat's Bargain

Lorenzo.

Their gazes locked, and Antonio's heart stuttered in his chest. His best friend looked haggard, dark circles under his eyes speaking of sleepless nights. And the expression on his face... a mixture of relief and horror that made Antonio's stomach churn.

"Ah, I see we have company," Damien drawled, following Antonio's line of sight. His grip tightened possessively. "Remember what we discussed, pet. Choose your next words very carefully."

Antonio swallowed hard as Lorenzo approached, plastering on a smile that felt brittle and false. "Lorenzo," he greeted, proud of how steady his voice sounded. "What a surprise to see you here."

Lorenzo's eyes darted between Antonio and Damien, confusion and suspicion evident in his gaze. "Antonio," he replied cautiously. "We've been worried sick about you. Your mother?—"

"Is undoubtedly fine," Damien cut in smoothly, his charm dialed up to eleven. "Antonio has been quite busy with his new... position in my organization. I'm Damien Benedetti, by the way. Antonio's mentor."

The lie rolled off Damien's tongue with practiced ease, but Lorenzo didn't look convinced. His eyes narrowed as he took in the possessive way Damien's arm snaked around Antonio's waist.

"Right," Lorenzo said slowly. "Well, I'm sure Donna Vivian will be relieved to hear you're safe, Antonio. Perhaps you should give her a call, let her know you're... okay."

The threat in Lorenzo's tone was clear. If Antonio didn't reach out soon, things would get ugly fast.

"Of course," Antonio replied, forcing a laugh that sounded hollow even to his own ears. "I've just been so caught up in work, you know how it is. I'll give her a ring tomorrow, promise."

Lorenzo opened his mouth to say more, but Damien smoothly interjected. "If you'll excuse us," he said, already steering Antonio away. "We have some other guests to greet. Lovely chatting with you, Lorenzo."

As they moved through the crowd, Antonio's heart raced. He knew Lorenzo wouldn't buy that flimsy excuse for a second. The clock was ticking now, and he was running out of time.

"Relax," Damien murmured in his ear, sensing his tension. "You handled that beautifully, pet. I think you've earned yourself a reward tonight."

Despite the gravity of the situation, Antonio couldn't help the thrill that ran through him at Damien's words. He was falling deeper under the older man's spell with every passing moment, and a part of him didn't want it to stop.

The sleek black car carrying Vivian Lombardi pulled up outside the Benedetti family's sprawling estate. She didn't wait for Lorenzo to open her door, striding purposefully towards the entrance with fire in her eyes.

The guards at the gate barely had time to react before she was pushing past them, her reputation enough to make them hesitate to stop her.

Marco Benedetti was waiting for her in his study, a glass of scotch in hand and a sardonic smile on his face. "Vivian," he greeted, as if her sudden appearance was no surprise at all. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Vivian's eyes blazed as she stalked towards him. "Where is he, Marco?" she snarled. "Where's my son?"

Marco's eyebrows rose in mock innocence. "I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about, my dear. Perhaps if you calmed down and explained?—"

The crack of Vivian's palm against Marco's cheek echoed through the room. "Don't play games with me, you bastard," she hissed. "I know Damien has Antonio. What I want to know is why."

Marco's facade of civility dropped, his eyes hardening. "Careful, Vivian," he warned, voice low and dangerous. "You're on dangerous ground here. My son's... proclivities are his own business. If Antonio has chosen to align himself with Damien, well... perhaps you should be asking yourself why he'd rather be with us than his own family."

Vivian's fists clenched at her sides, nails digging crescents into her palms. "If you've hurt him," she growled, "if you've corrupted my boy in any way... I swear to God, Marco, I will burn your entire empire to the ground."

Marco's laugh was cold and humorless. "Oh, Vivian. Always so dramatic. But let me make one thing perfectly clear." He leaned in close, his breath hot against her ear. "If you push this, if you try to interfere... it won't be my empire that burns. It'll be yours."

As Vivian reeled back, shock and fury warring on her face, Marco turned away dismissively. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have business to attend to. Do see yourself out, won't you?"

Vivian stood there for a long moment, trembling with rage and fear. This was far from over. Whatever game the Benedettis were playing, she would not let them win.

Not when her son's life hung in the balance.

As she stormed out of the estate, already barking orders at Lorenzo to gather the family's top lieutenants, Vivian made a silent vow. She would get Antonio back, no matter the cost.

And heaven help anyone who stood in her way.

CHAPTER 6

UNEXPECTED ALLIES

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