“Antonio Montero, the lady Angela calls him, that…do you believe me now?” Hinata blurted out, her voice barely a whisper. One of his men came and whispered to the Mafia's ears. “So the Montero bastard is still alive? Lord Damon will be impressed with this. I can't wait to watch Lord Damon kill him with his hands.” He laughed out loud. “Bastard? Kill him?” It was at that moment that she knew, she just exposed Antonio to an enemy. Her heart skipped a beat and her eyes widened. “No… I…made a mistake, it wasn't Antonio Montero…” Hinata started to backtrack, but it was too late. “Spare us the drama, young girl.” He smirked leaning back in his chair as he assessed Hinata with a predatory gaze. “Please don't hurt him, please.” Hinata pleaded in tears. The Mafia was silent just staring at her with a wicked grin. He raised his hand and the strippers left. Once they were gone, two of his men dragged Hinata up and pushed her forward the Mafia's feet. “What … .what…. Are you going to do to him? He did nothing wrong.” She panicked. “Of course but you see, we have plans for Mr. Antonio. And you, my dear, will be the bait to lure him to us.” He smirked. Hinata’s eyes widened in horror. “You can’t do this! He has nothing to do with it!” The Mafia's expression turned mocking. “Oh, I think you misunderstand. You see, this is more than just you being a simple lure. Antonio is one of us, so you don't need to worry.” “He is no longer one of you, he is changed believe me there's nothing…” “You’ll be a crucial part of ours... entertainment.” He chuckled darkly, his gaze lingering on her with a predatory edge. He gestured toward the strippers and then back to Hinata. “You’re quite beautiful, you know. Such beauty is wasted on a mere bait. I think you’ll make a perfect addition to Lord Damon’s collection. He’s always had a taste for submissive assets. Submissive Japanese bitch…” Hinata recoiled in disgust, her face pale. “No… Please, don’t do this…..” The Mafia’s smirk widened. “I think you’ll find that your options are quite limited now. Do as we say, or suffer the consequences. And remember, the more you resist, the more interesting things will get for you….” ******* Courtney’s arrival at the restaurant was nothing short of dramatic. As soon as she stepped through the front door, her presence commanded immediate attention. She was flanked by a team of bodyguards, towering over her, while she with her smile looked like a golden retriever being protected by a pack of wolves. The moment she walked in, the restaurant's atmosphere shifted, and all heads turned to her direction. Servers and diners alike couldn’t help but notice the sudden influx of a high-profile guest. Not quite common to see such a thing in their city. The bodyguards were giants, touch looking and covered in black leather winter coats and shades. Courtney was dressed elegantly in a tailored winter outfit that spoke of wealth and sophistication, And her winter collection is the newest for the season. She stood there like a royalty care freely searching for Antonio. Her heart raced anxiously in anticipation. Whispers quickly spread through the room, their conversations were filled with curiosity and intrigue. “Who is that foreigner?” One server asked, while another added. “She must be someone important, just look at those bodyguards.” Unlike the others, Antonio was absorbed in his frustration, he barely noticed the commotion at first. All his attention was fixed on his phone, his attempts to reach Hinata proving increasingly futile. And his anxiety over her unexplained absence had consumed him, making the murmurs in the restaurant seem like a distant hum to him. “Come on, Hinata. Answer me please”. Antonio whispered his hands trembling as his fears got hold of him. Something definitely happened to her. Every missed call and unanswered text only added to his mounting anxiety, making it difficult for him to focus on his work. His mind was elsewhere, consumed by the worry of what could be happening to her. One of the servers immediately informed the Manager about the prestigious guest and the young Manager rushed down the stairs with a broad welcoming smile, and approached Courtney. “Good morning, ma'am, and welcome to our restaurant,” he said with a courteous bow. “We’re honored by your presence. If it pleases you, we have a VIP area where you’ll be most comfortable. You can follow me to the place.” He offered politely. Courtney gave a polite nod, her eyes still scanning the room carefully. She asked her bodyguards to wait for her there and she followed the manager as he led her to the exclusive upper floor, a space reserved for the restaurant’s most distinguished guests. This area was designed to offer privacy and luxury, a stark contrast to the bustling main dining room below. Once they reached the top floor, the manager gestured toward a luxurious seating area. “Please, make yourself comfortable”. He said politely.