To Ruin a Don

Collar

_Aria’s POV_

I shut my eyes with my hands outstretched protectively in front of me, expecting the worst as the large dog leapt towards me.

That’s when I heard it.

The voice of my saviour.

“Stay.”

I didn’t open my eyes immediately because I knew just who that voice belonged to, and I knew I was in BIG trouble.

My eyes were closed for a minute, then two..

“Are your eyes kids glued shut together?” Dante asked from behind me, and I swallowed hard.

And that was how my great plan to escape had come to an end.

Slowly, I popped an eye open, then the other.

Peanut butter was sitting in front of me, tongue hanging out as he wagged his tail.

Oh so now he can act like a good dog.

Feeling the heavy stare of someone behind me, I raised my head slowly to see Dante glaring down coldly at me.

“Care to explain what’s going on?” He asked, and I could tell he was livid.

Even though his face looked as cold as ever, he still looked really angry.

“Um… no?” I said sheepishly.

His nose flared slightly, like he was showing me I was testing his patience.

I was just about to say something when he muttered, “You really like to dare me,”

I wanted to snap back, God I wanted to say something back to him.

But the sudden bark from the predator close to me reminded me that I needed to watch my tongue.

He was only a word away from asking his dog to kill me.

Forcing a smile, I tried to look as innocent as I could as I said.

“I only came out to receive fresh air and your dog decided to attack me. I was running for fear of life.” I lied effortlessly, keeping the smile on my face as I prayed he believed me.

Came out for fresh air? My ass.

Dante didnt believe me, but he didn’t say anything about it.

“Stand up.” He ordered, staring down at me like I was an insect.

I tried to move my leg but a sharp pain shot up my leg and I winced.

“I twisted my ankle,” I said, my voice straining and tears welled up in my eyes.

It hurt so much.

Dante’s eyes narrowed as he kept staring at me.

“Do you expect me to carry you?” He asked, not even bothering to help me up.

I rolled my eyes inwardly. Why would I even want his hands on my body?

“I just need a little help.”

I wasn’t asking for too much. Just support t while I limp back to my doom.

But Dante only nodded his head. There was a glint in his eyes, one I didn't quite like.

He reached down for me and I stretched out my hands, expecting him to lift me up.

But his hands move past me, reaching for peanut butter.

What?

I watched in shock as Dante removed the collar from the dog, stretching back to his full height.

“What is that for?” I asked, my teeth clenched.

“You said you wanted to go on a walk. Very well then, I shall walk you back.” He said that like he was doing me a favour.

What. The. f**k.

I searched his face, hoping to see some form of sign that he was joking.

He couldn’t possibly mean that…

But he did.

Dante wanted to put a dog collar on me.

My face flushed with embarrassment as I tried to scoot away from me, anger coursing through my veins.

“Are you insane!?” I hissed as I moved further away.

But there was only so far I could go with a dog behind me.

I would rather die than have a collar belonging to a dog around my neck.

“You haven’t earned yours yet. You should feel privileged that I was offering one that belongs to my dog.” He said, eyes glinting with evil.

I hate him.

I hate him so f*****g much. I want to see him die. I wanted to see him helpless.

I wanted to see him put in the same position he had just placed me.

Before I could argue, he crossed the distance between us.

I was frozen in shock as he wrapped his hand around my neck, yanking me towards him.

Don’t do it.

Please. Don’t do it.

He had a smile on his face as he took in the terror on my face.

He was enjoying this. Seeing me this way, helpless as he humiliated me seemed to bring him some sort of twisted joy.

The collar clicked shut around my neck and Dante let me go.

“There.” He said, wiping his hand on a handkerchief.

I flared up at him with hatred, tears stinging my eyes.

I wanted to scream. I wanted to hit him. f*****g, I wanted to scream bloody murder.

But my body felt numb.

Dante went ahead to attach the leash to the collar, staring at me in satisfaction.

“This was what you wanted, wasn't it?” He asked, eyes glinting.

This was the most I had seen him show any form of happiness.

And it came with my humiliation.

“Let’s go get the fresh air you so wanted before the dog interrupted.”

Forcing tears back, my fingers dug into my thigh.

I just wanted the ground to open up and swallow me.

I wasn’t dead yet. But I wanted to be.

My eyes snapped to the direction of two men running towards us from inside, their faces white as sheets.

They were the ones I had seen earlier.

Their eyes were widened in fear as they stood behind Dante, their heads bent in shame.

“We are so sorry boss. We hadn’t expected her to try and escape. We had gone to check on her earlier but she was deep asleep.” One of them rushed out, head still bowed down.

They feared for their lives.

Dante didn't even bother to look at him, his grip on my leash tightened.

“Who was in charge of the night shift?” He asked, ignoring their earlier plea like they had not just spoken.

No one said anything, but their gaze all fell on one man.

I could see his body trembling in fear, and before he could say a word, Dante spoke.

“Shoot him.”

What?