Chapter 22 Why Are You With Another Man

"No! No, Antonio, I was wrong, I'll go with you," I pleaded as I clutched Antonio's arm to prevent him from drawing his gun. "This is an airport, it's crowded, you can’t do this."

Antonio's face turned ominously dark as he glared at the man, then pulled me out of the café. The man tried to shout something to stop us, but was deterred by Antonio’s menacing look and his two bodyguards.

He dragged me away painfully. I was terrified and didn't dare to cry out in pain until he pulled me into a secluded area. Grabbing my chin, he bit down on my lips so fiercely that I tasted blood. At that moment, he was no longer human but a wild beast, and I feared he might devour me next. I struggled, pushing and hitting him, turning my head to avoid his bites. Gradually, I felt my breath being stolen away, controlled by him, my mind foggy and my limbs weak.

Furious, he gripped my head with both hands, his eyes burning into mine as he spoke with a mocking tone, "What, you don’t want this now? Resisting again? As my mistress, escaping from my apartment, seducing men everywhere, and then playing innocent in front of me?!”

"I haven't! You can't insult me like this, ah!" I protested.

In response, Antonio violently tore at my blouse, exposing my fair shoulder, and bit into it, causing tears to stream down my face. His hands roamed under my clothes, squeezing my breast.

How degrading, Antonio! How could he treat me like a whore and contemplate making love to me on the street?

Antonio wiped away the tears at the corner of my eye, saying, "As your employer, I own exclusive rights over you. Say you won’t betray me, Sienna.”

“You might own my body, but you can’t control my heart,” I responded, knowing I would eventually break away from Antonio, unable to make such a promise. Besides, Antonio was engaged to another, "I am just your mistress."

This only angered Antonio further. He squeezed my throat and roared, "Damn you, do you have to provoke me! Don’t you know what happens when you anger the mafia? You'll die in your ignorance."

"I thought you were different, but you're as vile as scum, treating women as your trophies, bragging about bedding them," I accused.

"Do you realize the foul things you're saying, Sienna?" Antonio pinched my mouth, silencing me with muffled sounds, "Why would I boast about your skills to others? To have them kidnap and rape you, take your nudes to mock my inability to protect my woman?"

"You told my father!" I managed to pry his hand away, tears welling up but not falling.

"What?" Antonio furrowed his brows, not understanding, "What did I tell your father?"

"That I'm your mistress!" I bit my lip, enveloped in shame, "I'm a despicable whore."

"I have no need to tell anyone who my mistresse is!" Antonio cursed, "As for Vince, he doesn't even deserve to speak to me." He scoffed as if mentioning my father was an insult.

Had I misunderstood Antonio? While it seemed insignificant to him, he had kept my secret. My heart ached terribly, but it wasn't enough to face our current relationship squarely because I was no better, being the other woman.

My tears fell as I deeply hated the cruel twists of fate. I had hated the woman who ruined my relationship with Nico, and now I was about to wreck another marriage.

"And that day in the restaurant?" I challenged, "Kissing me, toying with me in front of your enemies, were you not using me as a target? I'll die in your plot."

"Miss Corsetti, are you paranoid?" Antonio said sternly, "I killed that man that night only because you are mine. I don’t like anyone looking at you with lust."

"I don’t..."

He grabbed my chin, forcing me to look up at him. I believed he saw the tears in my eyes as he leaned in close, his voice husky, "Likewise, I don’t want you looking at anyone else."

I gasped for air, feeling his knife pop open the button on my chest. I once again succumbed to his dominance and violence.

"Where are you taking me?" As I was lost in confusion, Antonio dragged me out of the airport. I looked back several times, hoping to signal to passersby for help, but Antonio’s terrifying demeanor, his bodyguards, and his imposing presence cleared a path for us.

He dragged me to a car, and the driver came around to open the door, giving me a warm smile, "Miss Corsetti."

I recognized him; he was Antonio’s bodyguard, Vincent.

Antonio shoved me into theback seat, and I stubbornly clung to the car door, refusing to get in, "Wait, wait a minute, my suitcase, my camera..."

Oh no, I left my camera at the café. Can I get it back? It's my most precious possession!

"I can buy you a new one, these are minor issues."

"No!" I refused. "My camera is important, it has my thesis and materials for my project, I need to get it back."

As I stepped onto the ground, a sharp pain shot through my ankle, and I hadn't even noticed the swelling.

"Why are you trying to act tough with a swollen foot?" Antonio's face was never calm, now it was even darker, "Vincent, go to the hospital."

"Please, let me get my camera." I didn't need to pretend; my distressed expression was pitiful enough as I begged Antonio for help.

Antonio paused for a moment, then impatiently said, "Stay here."

"But..."

Antonio closed the car door firmly, locking it to prevent my escape and leaving only a small gap in the window for fresh air.

He was overthinking; my foot was in pain, red and swollen, making it impossible to run.

I sat in the back seat, cradling my injured leg, anxiously watching the airport entrance. The airport in Philadelphia was huge, bustling with people. I wondered if my camera and suitcase could still be retrieved.

A rumble of hunger reminded me it was dinner time, and I hadn't eaten because of Antonio's abrupt appearance. I had barely sipped my iced coffee.

Such a waste. I regretted the money spent on that coffee, now that I was practically broke.

The car remained stationary as I anxiously awaited their next move. What would the mafia do to a defector? Should I call the police now?

I was also desperate to reach my mother, unable to escape Antonio's control.

I opened my contacts and dialed my father's number again, only to find his phone was now switched off. I realized his intentions; I didn't know if he had already arrived in Philadelphia, if he had gone to my mother's house, or if he had mentioned me.

I bit my lip, anxiety and discomfort making me forget the pain. Maybe I should call my mother; I shouldn't keep secrets, I needed to tell her my father was scum.

But this time, I couldn't get through to her either.

What was happening? I remembered my mother mentioning an urgent matter she had to handle; hours had passed, and it still wasn't resolved? Was it a serious issue? Could it be because of my father?

Suddenly, the car door opened, startling me. Antonio got in, casually pulling the door shut. He held a bag that rustled, "Vincent went to look for your camera."

He handed me the paper bag, "Eat something first."

Through the bag, I could smell the beef burger.

I was truly hungry. I didn't know what game he was playing, maybe just feeding his prey before a hunt.

But I didn't dare refuse. I thanked him quietly and started eating. I was famished from the long journey. As I reached for the cola, I found him fixing the straw, our fingers briefly touching. The heat from his touch quickly spread in the confined space, making my cheeks flush.

"Do you want some?" I asked naively, noticing there seemed to be another portion of fries in the bag.

Antonio looked at me strangely. As I recoiled in alarm, he simply grabbed the hand holding the burger and took a bite where I had bitten.

He chewed and swallowed, his tongue sweeping over his lips as his gaze lingered on my mouth, "Tastes good."