Chapter 20 I Can't Be His Pet

As I stepped out of the house, Dante approached to take my luggage. "Boss sent me to take you to the apartment," he said.

I quickly snatched the luggage from Dante's hands, swallowing hard under his puzzled gaze. "I know you're busy, I can get there on my own."

No! I didn't want to go to Antonio's apartment, to be kept like a pitiful pet!

Internally screaming, I hoped Dante was too occupied with the countless mafia activities and deals you see in TV shows. He should be at the docks, in warehouses, or by Antonio’s side, not at my doorstep.

"Boss instructed me to pick you up," Dante insisted, taking the suitcase from my hands firmly. "He expects to see you at the apartment tonight. Please don’t make this difficult, Miss Corsetti."

Although Dante maintained a respectful demeanor, his respect was clearly reserved for Antonio. His tone, as he said 'please', left no room for refusal.

This was exactly why I detested Antonio’s bodyguards; as arrogant as he was, forcing me into compliance. I had to escape.

Seizing a moment as Dante placed my suitcase in the trunk, I bolted. I still had some money; buying a ticket to Philadelphia wasn't an issue.

But I overestimated my speed and underestimated Dante’s capabilities. With a few quick strides, he caught up and forcibly brought me back to the car.

"Let me go, please. I have urgent matters to handle," I pleaded as I tried the car door, only to find it locked. I lunged towards Dante, clawing at the driver’s seat.

Dante glanced coldly at me. "Miss Corsetti, shall I tie up your hands and feet as well? They seem very fond of moving."

I froze in fear. Antonio's guards were as terrible as him!

It was the same apartment as before, with its stark, cold decor.

Antonio wasn't home. Dante pushed my luggage into the master bedroom. "From now on, you will stay in this room."

"I don't want to!" I jumped away from Dante. "I prefer the room near the stairs."

"This is our boss’s arrangement."

So, I had no choice? It seemed I never had a choice. Who would willingly choose to be an unacknowledged mistress?

With tears in my eyes, I contemplated how to escape Antonio's apartment.

My phone rang from my pocket; it was an unfamiliar number. Lately, there had been too many unknown calls — surely another one of Nico's harassments.

It must be him, that shameless scumbag! Frowning, I blocked the number. Peace returned.

Antonio's bed was large, spacious enough for three, topped with a sky-blue, plain duvet that felt as soft as clouds. Lying on it must be comfortable.

I could already imagine myself on it, the delicate fabric supporting my bare body, with Antonio above me...

Oh my God!

As I realized what I was imagining, my face burned with embarrassment. I was fantasizing about Antonio's naked body and having sex with him?

He forced me into this demeaning arrangement, and yet I was drooling over his body. I admitted he was a perfect lover, but that was under the assumption that there was no coercive relationship between us.

I moved away from the bed, constantly reminding myself that I should be planning my escape. Had my dad reached Philadelphia? Had he seen mom? Had he mentioned me?

Panic stripped bare within me as I paced the room anxiously, until Dante knocked on the door with a call from Antonio.

Antonio? He was the last person I wanted to hear now, after being tracked and forcefully brought here. What right did he have to demand my politeness?

I didn’t want to open the door, but I couldn’t afford the consequences.

"Is this your defiance, Sienna?" Antonio's displeased roar came through the phone, baffling me.

Already upset about being abducted, I snapped back, "Do you have a problem, sir?"

"Don't try to anger me, Sienna. You can't bear the consequences," Antonio threatened through gritted teeth. "You have three seconds to remove my number from your block list!"

Three seconds to do what? Wait! He mentioned removing whose number from the block list? When had I blocked his number?

Perhaps my shock was too apparent. Dante recited a familiar number. "This is our boss’s personal number."

That was Antonio’s number? Not Nico’s new one? I realized what I had just done.

This wasn’t my fault! Antonio's roar came through the phone with a sinister grit, "You're finished, Sienna!"

"Wait, let me explain..."

Antonio hung up abruptly, leaving me listening to the dial tone. I couldn't help but cry out, "I didn't know it was your number!"

Dante took his phone and left, his eyes full of sympathy as he departed.

I was doomed. Antonio would surely retaliate! No, I couldn’t stay here any longer.

I pressed my ear against the master bedroom door, listening for any signs outside. It seemed Dante had gone downstairs; I heard the doorbell ring, then the front door opened, and faint voices exchanged. Soon, silence filled both floors.

Had Dante left?

I quickly grabbed my small, light suitcase—packed only with a few clothes and my camera for quick travel—and tiptoed to the stairs, peeking down. No one was in sight.

"Dante, are you there?" I called out tentatively. No response. Dante was gone! Perfect!

I sneaked out of Antonio’s apartment, even fearful of encountering his bodyguards in the elevator. Halfway down, I switched to the stairs and exited through a side door.

I hailed a taxi. On the way to the airport, I regretted selling my car prematurely. Now, I had to spend extra to check flight availability on the airline's website. Luckily, there was a flight to Philadelphia in two hours. I paid an additional fee and secured the last ticket.

Once more, I dialed my father's number, but again, no answer.

My eyes, blue and clouded with gloom, looked down. He was surely doing this on purpose.

I urged the driver to hurry to the airport. Regretting the sale of my car as I hurried through airport security to my gate, everything went smoothly. As I found my seat and buckled up, my phone unexpectedly rang once more.