Page 22 of The Brat's Bargain

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Meanwhile, in his private study, Damien poured himself a generous measure of whiskey, his mind churning with conflicting emotions. He'd never expected Antonio to get under his skin like this. The boy was supposed to be a pawn, a means to an end. So why did the thought of losing him make Damien's chest ache in ways he'd long thought himself incapable of feeling?

He knocked back the drink, relishing the burn. Antonio's defiance should have angered him, should have made him want to assert his dominance even more forcefully. Instead, it only heightened his desire, his need to possess the younger man completely.

Damien closed his eyes, remembering the way Antonio had felt in his arms, the sweet sounds he'd made as he came undone. It was more than just lust. There was a tenderness there, a protectiveness that Damien hadn't felt in years.

"Fuck," he muttered, pouring another drink. He was getting soft, letting his guard down. Antonio was a liability, a weakness he couldn't afford.

And yet... the thought of letting him go, of never again seeing that bratty smirk or feeling the warmth of his body... it was unbearable.

Damien's hand tightened on the glass, his resolve hardening. He'd find a way to keep Antonio, to make him understand that his place was here, by Damien's side. And if that meant dismantling everything he'd built, burning his empire to the ground... then so be it.

Because Antonio was his. His boy, his brat, his everything. And Damien Benedetti always protected what was his.

CHAPTER 9

REVELATIONS

Antonio's fingers flew over the keyboard, his heart pounding as he dug deeper into Damien's files. He knew he was playing with fire, but the thrill of defiance, of finally having some control, was intoxicating.

"Come on, you bastard," he muttered. "What are you hiding?"

As if in answer, a folder labeled "Lombardi" caught his eye. Antonio's breath hitched as he clicked it open, revealing a treasure trove of information about his family. Financial records, surveillance photos, even personal details he'd never known.

But it was a file titled "Vivian_leverage" that made his blood run cold. With trembling hands, he opened it, and his world shattered.

Photos. Dozens of them. His mother, young and vulnerable, in compromising positions with a man Antonio recognized as Marco Benedetti—Damien's father.

"No," he whispered, bile rising in his throat. "This can't be real."

"Find what you were looking for, pet?"

Antonio whirled to find Damien leaning against the doorframe, his expression unreadable. Anger and betrayal surged through him, overpowering his fear.

"You knew," he spat, gesturing at the screen. "This whole time, you knew about... about this."

Damien's eyes narrowed as he took in the open laptop. "Snooping through my personal files? That's a dangerous game you're playing, baby boy."

"Don't call me that," Antonio snarled, shoving away from the desk. "Don't you dare act like you care about me when you've been holding this over my family's head."

Something flashed in Damien's eyes—regret? Guilt? It was gone too quickly for Antonio to be sure. "It's not that simple," Damien said, his voice low and intense. "There's more to this than you understand."

"Then explain it to me," Antonio demanded, chin lifted in defiance. "Tell me why I shouldn't walk out that door right now and never look back."

For a long moment, Damien just stared at him, conflict clear on his face. Then, with a heavy sigh, he crossed to the bar and poured two generous measures of whiskey.

"Sit down," he said, holding out a glass to Antonio. "It's time you knew the truth."

Antonio hesitated, wariness warring with curiosity. But the pull of answers was too strong to resist. He took the offered drink and perched on the edge of the leather sofa, every muscle tense.

Damien settled into an armchair across from him, taking a long swig of whiskey before speaking. "Those photos... they're not what you think. Your mother wasn't Marco's lover. She was his victim."

Antonio's grip tightened on the glass, knuckles turning white. "What are you saying?"

"Marco was a monster," Damien said, his voice hard. "He used those photos to blackmail Vivian, to keep her under his thumb. It's why she married your father—to protect herself and her unborn child."

The implications hit Antonio like a punch to the gut. "Are you saying... am I...?"

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