7. Prisoner

Matthias was being monitored by Dante's guards. He explained the situation to Drake, who went pale in the face. He had to talk to Drake so that the latter didn't blurt his mouth in front of others. Drake wanted to call the police or some SWAT team to take out Dante.

However, Matthias refused, saying that taking rash action might put a bullet in their heads instead.

The guards had repeatedly threatened to put a bullet in Matthias' head, including his sister's.

Later in the day, Matthias headed back to his mansion. The butler, Hamilton, and housekeeper, Sydney, greeted him at the door with the staff. Their eyes widened when they saw three bodyguards who looked like gangsters keeping close to Matthias.

"Sir, they are?" Hamilton asked, concerned.

"Uh... My new bodyguards," Matthias lied.

"Your bodyguards? I thought you didn't want bodyguards anymore," Hamilton was suspicious.

"I changed my mind."

He hated to lie to the people closest to him, but he didn't have a choice because he felt the collar around his neck tingling, like it was threatening to electrocute him if he said the wrong things.

How was Dante listening to him? Was there a listening device somewhere?

They crossed the foyer where a light pink chandelier hung above. Matthias made an excuse and headed to his room. Once alone, he dropped his tired body down on the bed and sighed, running his fingers down his face.

As long as he got this over with, he could be free of Dante.

He took off his shirt and examined the collar. Matthias didn't dare to touch it. It looked scary to him. It was also a reminder of the humiliation and degradation he suffered.

He stood up and walked into his walk-in closet, standing in front of the large mirror. Examining it again, he wondered if it was possible to call an expert to find a way out of this.

Just then, the door to his walk-in closet was pulled open, and from the reflection in the mirror, he saw Dante stroll in like he owned the place. It had only been a few hours since he saw Dante, yet it felt as if it had been a short time.

"W-what are you doing here? How did you enter?" Matthias glared at him with disbelief, turning around to meet him face to face.

But Dante didn't let him turn. Instead, he shoved him forward, causing Matthias to stumble and hit the mirror. Luckily, it wasn't hard enough to crack the glass.

Hot breath ghosted his ear, and Matthias felt shivers dancing down his spine.

"I know what you're thinking, Matthias. A little warning. Don't. Think. About. It. If you do, your pretty sister will be very upset. Taylor, is it? Lovely name. Like Taylor Swift, the American singer. I have a question." Dante wrapped a hand around Matthias' throat from behind.

Matthias looked in the mirror, gulping when he saw Dante's lips pulled into a sinister smile. His gaze fell to where Dante's hand rested above the collar.

"Why is her hair blonde and yours black? Are you from the same parents? Oh, and that dog. What was his name? Ah, Noodles. I could very much kidnap and stew him for lunch. Would you like that, Matthias? Wait, that's more than a question."

Alarm bells rang in Matthias' head. This psycho Mafia knew where his sister was.

"I-I won't. Promise."

"Your word is not good enough. This collar, I fear, isn't good enough either."

Matthias couldn't help but feel hot all over. His skin flushed, and he was sure Dante noticed it.

They were too close. Too fucking close that Matthias could feel the heat from Dante's body, his breathing, and stupid accent.

Something was wrong with his head and body because Matthias' cock twitched.

"W-what are you going to do?" He couldn't help the stutter in his voice, or the goosebumps crawling down his spine.

Dante let out a low, mirthless chuckle. "Something very terrible. Just be a good boy and your sister gets to leave. You can be that, no?"

"Y-yes."

"Good." Dante released his neck, and somehow a part of Matthias wickedly wished that Dante had choked him harder and longer.

Fuck. There was definitely something wrong with his brain.

Dante walked over to Matthias' phone. He tapped around on it before setting it back on the table.

"I've placed an app that will monitor and block any attempts of you trying to escape or get help. One attempt, and your sister will die. Don't call anyone or try anything. Finish the task I give you and we can all be happy, no?" He grinned, arms spread as if asking for applause.

Matthias sucked in a breath and nodded.

"Use your words."

"Yes," Matthias gritted out. His throat felt unbelievably dry.

"Yes what?"

"Yes, Master."

"Why is that a question?"

"Yes, Master." Matthias wanted nothing more than to punch Dante.

The motherfucking son of a bitch was playing him.

"Good. I'll be staying here," Dante casually stated.

"You're staying here?!"

"Si. Why? Scared that I might kill you in your sleep?" Dante had a playful smirk on his face.

"N-no..." Matthias trailed off. This man was making things hard for him.

"You have a nice house. Live all alone?"

"I have a butler, servants, and a housekeeper. If you're going to stay here, they'll—"

"Make up a lie. Make it believable. Whatever it is, I don't care. I only want results on Antonio."

"Isn't that your job?"

"No. My job is to kidnap you and monitor you. Though the guards can monitor you on my behalf."

Matthias looked at Dante, not knowing what to say or do.

"You're a lazy asshole," Matthias said. "Haven't you heard of secondhand embarrassment, or are you a sloth in disguise?"

Then he realized that he might have said something wrong because Dante went quiet.

Laughter ripped from Dante's throat as he tipped his head back. It took Matthias by surprise. Why was he laughing?