Page 28 of The Brat's Bargain

CHAPTER 11

AFTERMATH

The steady beep of the heart monitor was a comforting rhythm in the otherwise silent hospital room. Damien sat vigil by Antonio's bedside, his large hand engulfing the younger man's smaller one. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, evidence of sleepless nights spent watching over his injured boy.

Antonio's eyelids fluttered, a soft groan escaping his lips as he fought his way back to consciousness. Damien leaned forward, heart racing.

"That's it, baby," he murmured, voice rough with emotion. "Come back to me."

Finally, those stormy eyes opened, unfocused at first but quickly sharpening as they landed on Damien. A myriad of emotions flashed across Antonio's face—confusion, relief, and something deeper that made Damien's breath catch.

"Damien?" Antonio's voice was barely a whisper, hoarse from disuse. "What... where am I?"

Damien's thumb traced soothing circles on Antonio's palm. "You're safe, sweetheart. In the hospital. Do you remember what happened?"

Antonio's brow furrowed as he struggled to piece together the fragments of memory. "Rizzo... the warehouse. You came for me."

The simple statement, filled with wonder and disbelief, made Damien's chest ache. "Of course I did," he said fiercely. "I'll always come for you, Antonio. Always."

Tears welled in Antonio's eyes, whether from pain or emotion, Damien couldn't tell. "I thought... I was afraid you wouldn't..."

Damien brought Antonio's hand to his lips, pressing a fervent kiss to his knuckles. "Never doubt that again, you hear me? You're mine, baby boy. And I protect what's mine."

A flush crept up Antonio's neck at the possessive words, his pupils dilating slightly. But before he could respond, a spasm of pain crossed his face. He tried to curl in on himself, a whimper escaping through gritted teeth.

Damien was on his feet in an instant, hitting the call button for the nurse. "Shh, I know it hurts," he soothed, one large hand carding gently through Antonio's curls. "Daddy's got you. Just breathe through it, that's my good boy."

The term of endearment slipped out without thought, but its effect on Antonio was immediate. He melted into Damien's touch, his breathing evening out as he focused on the older man's voice.

"That's it," Damien murmured, continuing to stroke Antonio's hair. "Such a brave boy for Daddy. I'm so proud of you, baby."

Antonio's eyes fluttered closed, a soft, needy sound escaping him. "Daddy," he breathed, the word half-plea, half-surrender.

The moment was broken by the arrival of the nurse, who efficiently checked Antonio's vitals and administered a dose of pain medication. As she left, Damien saw the walls coming back up behind Antonio's eyes, uncertainty replacing the vulnerable trust of moments before.

"I should... my mother will want to know I'm awake," Antonio said, not quite meeting Damien's gaze.

Damien nodded, tamping down the surge of possessiveness that threatened to overwhelm him. "Of course. I'll let her know."

As he stepped out to make the call, Damien couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to get a lot more complicated.

***-

The next few days passed in a blur of doctor's visits, pain management, and tentative steps towards recovery. Damien rarely left Antonio's side, tending to his every need with a gentleness that surprised them both.

"You don't have to do this, you know," Antonio grumbled as Damien helped him sit up, plumping pillows behind his back. "I'm not an invalid."

Damien's eyes narrowed, a hint of steel entering his voice. "What you are is injured and in need of care. Now be a good boy and let Daddy take care of you."

The words sent a shiver down Antonio's spine, heat pooling in his belly despite his weakened state. He wanted to protest, to push back against the coddling. But a larger part of him craved the attention, the tender dominance Damien exuded.

"Fine," he muttered, a hint of brattiness creeping into his tone. "But don't think this means you own me or anything."

Damien's laugh was low and dangerous as he leaned in close, his breath hot against Antonio's ear. "Oh, but I do own you, baby boy. Every. Inch."

His hand slid up Antonio's thigh, stopping just shy of where the younger man ached to be touched. Antonio's breath hitched, arousal warring with lingering pain and exhaustion.

"Damien," he whimpered, torn between pushing into the touch and pulling away. "We can't... I'm not..."

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