Page 25 of The Brat's Bargain

The sound of a slap cut off Antonio's words, followed by a pained whimper that made Damien's heart clench.

"You have 24 hours," Rizzo said coldly. "Meet my demands, or I start sending your boy back to you in pieces."

The line went dead, leaving Damien trembling with rage and fear. He wanted to scream, to break something, to unleash the violent storm building inside him.

But he couldn't. Not now. Not when Antonio needed him to be strong, to be the powerful, unshakeable mob boss who always had a plan.

Taking a deep breath, Damien forced himself to focus. He had work to do, a war to plan, a boy to save.

His boy. His Antonio.

And God help anyone who stood in his way.

As Damien strode out of the penthouse, barking orders into his phone, one thought burned in his mind:

He was going to get Antonio back. And then he was going to burn Rizzo's entire fucking world to the ground.

CHAPTER 10

RESCUE MISSION

Damien Benedetti paced the length of his office, tension radiating from every line of his body. The room was filled with an uneasy mix of his own lieutenants and members of the Lombardi family, including Vivian herself. The air crackled with barely contained hostility and suspicion.

"We don't have time for this bullshit," Damien growled, slamming his fist on the desk. "Every second we waste arguing is another second Antonio is in Rizzo's hands."

Vivian's eyes flashed dangerously. "And whose fault is that, Benedetti? If you hadn't taken my son in the first place?—"

"Enough!" Damien roared, his control slipping. "You want to blame me? Fine. But right now, Antonio needs us. All of us."

The room fell silent, the weight of his words sinking in. Vivian's jaw clenched, but she gave a curt nod. "What's your plan?"

Damien took a deep breath, reining in his emotions. He couldn't afford to lose control, not now. Not when Antonio's life hung in the balance.

"We hit them hard and fast," he said, spreading a map of the city across his desk. "I've got intel on three possible locations where Rizzo might be holding Antonio. We'll split into teams, hit all three simultaneously."

As he outlined the details of the operation, Damien couldn't shake the gnawing fear in his gut. The image of Antonio, scared and alone, haunted him. He'd give anything to have his boy back in his arms, safe and whole.

Even if it meant Antonio might hate him forever.

Antonio tested the ropes binding his wrists for the hundredth time, wincing as the rough fibers bit into his already raw skin. The warehouse Rizzo was using as a hideout was damp and cold, the chill seeping into his bones.

But it wasn't the physical discomfort that bothered him most. It was the uncertainty, the fear of what might happen next. Would Damien come for him? Or had all of it—the tender moments, the passionate nights—been nothing but a lie?

The door creaked open, and Antonio tensed. Rizzo sauntered in, a cruel smile twisting his features.

"Comfortable, pretty boy?" he sneered, circling Antonio's chair like a shark scenting blood. "Don't worry, your stay with us won't be much longer. One way or another."

Antonio lifted his chin defiantly, refusing to show fear. "Fuck you," he spat. "When Damien gets here?—"

Rizzo's backhand caught him across the face, snapping his head to the side. "You think he's coming for you?" Rizzo laughed, the sound cold and mocking. "Wake up, kid. You're nothing but a pawn in his game. Always have been."

The words hit Antonio like a physical blow, playing on his deepest insecurities. But he pushed the doubt aside, focusing instead on the anger burning in his chest.

"You don't know shit about me and Damien," he snarled. "He'll come. And when he does, you're gonna wish you'd never been born."

Rizzo's eyes narrowed dangerously. He leaned in close, his breath hot on Antonio's cheek. "For your sake, boy, you better hope you're wrong. Because if Benedetti doesn't meet my demands..." His hand wrapped around Antonio's throat, squeezing just hard enough to make breathing difficult. "Well, let's just say I'll enjoy teaching you your place."

As Rizzo released him and strode out of the room, Antonio's mind raced. He needed to find a way out, and fast. Because as much as he wanted to believe Damien would come for him, he couldn't afford to stake his life on it.

---