The black satin lingerie hangs before me like a silent challenge, moonlight from the window catching its delicate sheen. My stomach churns with a mixture of anticipation and frustration as I stand in this unfamiliar room of the Sicilian club. The bass from the dance floor below thrums through the floorboards, a steady pulse that matches my racing heart. We'd just landed an hour ago, and instead of heading to the house like any normal person would, Rafael dragged us straight here—without so much as a word to me the entire way.

Through the walls, I can hear the carefree laughter of clubgoers, the clink of glasses, the distant melody of Italian pop music. They're all lost in their own world of pleasure and escape. Nobody out there has to decode why the man they have been fucking for weeks spent a six-hour flight in stony silence, only to present them with see-through lingerie in a nightclub. My fingers trace the gauzy material as I try to puzzle out Rafael's game. Even after weeks of being together, he still manages to keep me guessing.

With a deep breath, I slip into the outfit, the cool fabric kissing my skin. My reflection in the ornate mirror shows every curve through the translucent black material, barely concealed by the matching underwear beneath. I tap lightly on the heavy wooden door, signaling to the waiting server.

She enters with a swift, practiced movement, her crisp white uniform a stark contrast to my attire. Her dark eyes rake over me, lip curling in poorly concealed judgment. I lift my chin, refusing to let her disdain affect me. Let her judge—she doesn't know our story.

We walk out into the hallway, and I notice the change immediately. The usual wall of Rafael's suited guards has vanished - now, only women in staff uniforms drift through the dim corridor. I can't help the smile that creeps up on my face. As much as Rafael is crazy, he's still as possessive as ever, and I would be lying if a little part of me didn't like it - okay, maybe more than a little. Because walking around practically naked in this see-through lingerie is one thing, but at least I don't have to deal with his guards eye-fucking me along the way.

We stop at an imposing black door, gold hinges gleaming in the dim light. The server turns, producing something from her apron pocket.

"Here," she says, her accented voice flat as she holds out a leather collar with a matching leash. My breath catches as I take it, the material supple and expensive against my fingertips. Despite the tension between us, excitement floods my veins. It's been too long since Rafael, and I played this dangerously, and the thought of him claiming me here, in this pulsing nightclub, sends electricity dancing across my skin.

With trembling fingers that have nothing to do with fear, I secure the collar around my neck. The leather settles against my throat like a promise of what's to come, and I can't suppress the smile that curves my lips.

"Rafael has instructions," she says, her voice dropping to a cruel whisper. "Whatever he tells you to do - you do it. If he wants you to bark like a fucking dog, you bark. If he wants you to crawl, you crawl. And if you even think about disobeying..." Her lips curl into a cold smile. "Your precious Caroline will face the consequences."

My heart stutters to a stop. Blood rushes in my ears as I try to process her words. Caroline? What does she have to do with any of this?

"On your knees."

Before I can react, she shoves me hard. My mind is still reeling from the threat against Caroline, and I go down easy, palms slapping against the cold floor. Questions flood my brain, each one more terrifying than the last. Is Rafael angry with me? Why did this woman just make a threat against Caroline?

The door flies open, and suddenly, there's a sharp tug on my leash. I'm yanked inside like a dog on a chain, the collar biting into my throat.

"My pet." Rafael's voice fills the room, dark and unfamiliar. I look up at him, searching his face for answers, but something else catches my attention - the weight of another gaze. I turn my head and freeze.

Melina is perched on Thomas's lap, her eyes swimming with tears as she stares at me on all fours. What is she doing here and with Thomas?

"What the fuck is this, Rafael?" Thomas jolts from the couch, lifting Melina with him. My sister's tears stream freely down her face, and I feel Rafael's fingers threading through my hair. My own eyes blur with tears. After all this time, my sister is right here. God, I've missed her so much. Every instinct screams at me to jump up, to run to her, but Rafael's voice stops me cold.

"Say hi to our special guests tonight, pet." His tone is sweet poison as he strokes my hair. His breath is hot against my ear as he whispers, "You're a pet tonight, Frankie, and you're going to act like one. Say hi to them the way a pet would."

My mind races as I process his words. He can't actually mean... but one look into his eyes tells me he's deadly serious. My stomach drops. But why? Why would he want me to act in such a way? I push those thoughts aside for now. Even though everything in me wants to disobey, to tell him to go to hell, I can't. My sister is here, and now isn't the time to defy him. I must do everything to please him so that I could at least have a conversation with her, even if it means swallowing down my pride like bitter medicine.

"Ruff, ruff," I force out the words, my stomach twisting with humiliation. But for Melina, I'll endure anything.

"Oh, my goodness!" Melina's legs buckle beneath her, but Thomas catches her before she hits the ground. I look up at Rafael, silently pleading with my eyes - just let me say hello to my sister, please - but he isn't even looking at me. Instead, he's staring at Thomas with a smirk that sends chills down my spine.

"What the fuck, Rafael? Why does she have a collar around her neck and on her hands and legs?" Thomas's voice booms through the room, raw with anger.

"Because she is my pet," Rafael replies simply, his fingers never stopping their slow caress through my hair.

"Are you fucking nuts? She's a human being, not some animal!" Thomas's voice thunders through the room, his hands clenched into white-knuckled fists. "Take the damn collar off her now!"

Rafael merely smirks. "If you're not satisfied with how I've presented my pet, you'll have to pay more to have her the way you want."

What are they talking about? I just keep getting more confused by the second tonight.

"What do you want?" Thomas asks through gritted teeth; his jaw clenched so tight I can see the muscle ticking.

Rafael takes a long drag from his cigarette, deliberately blowing the acrid smoke into my face. The familiar burn in my eyes doesn't make me flinch anymore. "The whole city and your family gone from it."

The pieces suddenly click into place. My heart nearly stops as I realize the truth – Thomas must have offered half of their territory just so Mel could see me tonight.

"Done," Thomas responds without hesitation, his voice firm and unwavering. The shock of his decision ripples through the room. I watch my sister's face, illuminated by the harsh overhead light, as her eyes widen in disbelief. This isn't just about money or power – this is about surrendering a significant portion of their mafia influence.

Thomas turns to Melina, his expression softening as he gazes at her. "Anything for you, principessa," he whispers tenderly before his face hardens again as he faces Rafael.

Rafael's fingers finally work at the collar around my neck, his touch gentle and focused, a quiet defiance against the hard, unyielding image he's showing Thomas right now. "Wow, if I had known a piece of pussy had this much control over you, I'd have abducted her sooner." His words drip with mockery.

"Melina isn't just a piece of pussy, you fucking bastard," Thomas snarls, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl. The veins in his neck stand out as he restrains himself from lunging across the room.

"Whatever you say," Rafael responds with an exaggerated shrug.

"Let her sit!"

"That has a price, too." Rafael's words make something twist sharply in my chest, an ache I can't push away. I deduced he was using me as a bargaining chip right now, but hearing him do it again... stings in a way I didn't expect. I thought I meant more, even just a little, but now, I can't shake the hollow feeling settling in.

"Rafael," Thomas growls, his voice dripping with barely contained rage. I watch his hands twitch at his sides, fingers flexing like they're imagining wrapping around Rafael's throat. His expensive suit jacket stretches across his tensed shoulders.

"Yes, that's my name." Rafael's signature smirk plays across his face as he reclines further in his chair, enjoying the power play like a cat toying with mice.

"I'll fucking—"

"Please." A soft, trembling voice cuts through the tension, and we all turn. Melina is standing there, her eyes pleading as she stares at Rafael.

Rafael's eyebrows shoot up in exaggerated surprise. "Wow, she knows how to beg." His words drip with condescension.

"Please," Melina pleads again, her voice barely above a whisper. Thomas stands beside her, jaw clenched so tight I can see the muscle jumping, his eyes burning with helpless fury as his woman begs another man.

Rafael tilts his head, considering her for a moment before his gaze shifts back to me. "Alright, I'll be merciful to the less pretty sister." His tone drips with mock sympathy. "She can get off the floor and sit down."

"Thank you so much, thank you," Melina breathes, stepping forward with outstretched arms. The hope in her eyes makes my heart ache. But before she can reach me, Rafael moves to intercept her. Thomas reacts instantly, pulling Melina back against his chest protectively, his movement fluid but fierce.

"Fucking keep your hands to yourself," Thomas snarls, his voice promising violence. The tension in the room crackles like electricity before a storm.

Rafael's only response is a smug smile, unfazed. "I didn't say you can come close." Then, with surprising gentleness, he reaches down and lifts me to my feet himself, his touch warm yet somehow detached.

"Okay." Melina pulls her hands back, her fingers curling at her sides, eyes fixed on us. Rafael guides me to sit beside him on the plush leather couch, the material cool against my bare skin. His hand drops possessively on my exposed thigh; fingers splayed dangerously close to my core. The thin fabric of the lingerie feels like nothing at all, making me desperately wish for more coverage. My tongue darts out to wet my dry lips, ready to ask for his jacket or anything to cover myself, but Melina's voice breaks the tense silence.

"Can I talk to her?" Melina's voice trembles with hope as she addresses Rafael.

He raises an eyebrow. "Yes, you can."

"Hello, sis." Melina's soft smile breaks my heart. I bite the inside of my cheek hard enough to taste copper, fighting to contain the sob building in my chest. I can read the assumption in her eyes – she thinks I'm being tortured and abused. If only she knew how complicated the truth really was.

"Stop this nonsense, Rafael and fucking let her talk," Thomas growls, his patience clearly wearing thin.

Rafael cocks his head to the side. "And why should I do that?"

"Please, I beg of you." Melina's voice cracks as tears begin streaming down her porcelain cheeks, leaving trails in her light makeup. "I know I've nothing to offer to make you allow her to talk back to me, but please just let her." Her pain mirrors my own, making my eyes burn with unshed tears.

"Sure." Rafael's casual agreement surprises everyone. "Why can't butt face be more like you?" he taunts, glancing at Thomas, who responds only with a murderous glare.

Rafael turns to me, his dark eyes unreadable. "You can now be yourself."

I stare at him in shock, my mind racing. He'd been carefully crafting this image of me as his suffering captive for Thomas's benefit – why would he suddenly drop the act?

"Can I hug her?" The words scratch past my throat, raw with emotion.

At Rafael's nod, I launch myself from the couch toward my sister. Melina's arms wrap around me like she never wants to let go, and I return her embrace with equal fervor. I bury my face in her neck, breathing in her familiar scent – vanilla and jasmine, sweeter than I remembered. It's funny how you never realize how much you'll miss something as simple as someone's scent until it's gone.

"How are you doing?" Melina's voice quivers as she pulls back from our embrace, her hands still gripping my shoulders. "Sorry for all the pain and humiliation you suffered. I'm so sorry we couldn't come to your rescue much earlier." Guilt and anguish paint her delicate features as she gently takes my arms, spreading them wide to inspect me.

Rising from the couch, she guides me in a slow turn, her eyes scanning every inch of my body with sisterly concern. I can see confusion clouding her face as she finds no visible signs of abuse – no bruises, no cuts, nothing to match the nightmare scenario she'd imagined. Her perfectly manicured fingers ghost over my skin, checking for hidden injuries.

"I'm okay, Melina. I totally understand, and I'll be waiting for you guys." I force a smile, trying to thread the needle between reassuring her and not angering Rafael. The lie tastes bitter on my tongue, but it's necessary. Despite Rafael's theatrical display tonight, I need her to know I'm surviving.

"Don't get your hopes up, pet." Rafael's silky voice cuts through the moment like a blade. Both Melina and I turn to face him, where he lounges with predatory grace in his expensive suit. "I'll only let you go when I no longer need you. Nobody can take you from me unless I let them. Take my word for it."

My eyes lock with his green ones, and the intensity I find there sends a shiver down my spine. There's no threat in his voice – just pure, cold certainty. The weight of his words settles over me like a heavy blanket, both suffocating and familiar.

"Fucking shut up, Rafael," Thomas snaps, cutting through the thick tension that's filled the room.

Rafael makes a show of checking his Rolex, the gold catching the light as he moves his wrist. "You have three minutes left."

I grab Melina's hand, pulling her back to the couch. "Come on, tell me everything. I want to hear about what's going on with you." I urge her, trying to drown out Rafael's presence by focusing on her voice.

For the next three minutes, she talks quietly, filling the space between us with her stories, her voice bringing me a temporary sense of warmth and normalcy. And even though the clock is ticking, for a few brief moments, I let myself believe we're somewhere else entirely, just two sisters catching up.

Author Note: If this chapter felt confusing for you, go back to my author note before Chapter One and read where I said to read 'A Second Chance' before reading 'A Beautiful Mistake.' Thank you. Also, the next chapter will be available today for subscribers on Inkitt, but it will be free next week.