The atmosphere in the car was thick with tension. Matteo's gaze was unreadable, but Elijah could feel the weight of it as they drove through the dimly lit streets of Italy.
Elijah shifted in his seat. "So? Are we just going to drive in silence, or are you going to tell me what this little kidnapping is about?"
Matteo chuckled. "Kidnapping? Bambino, if I wanted to kidnap you, you wouldn't even know it was happening."
Elijah scoffed. "Reassuring."
The car took a sharp turn, and Elijah realized they were heading toward the private docks near the river. His stomach twisted.
"What's with the detour?" he asked warily.
Matteo exhaled slowly, swirling the whiskey glass in his hand. "You and I have a lot to discuss, Elijah."
Elijah raised a brow. "Oh yeah? About what?"
Matteo turned to him, his dark eyes locking onto Elijah's. "Dominic."
The name alone made Elijah's heart pick up pace.
Matteo smirked, as if he could hear it. "You really don't see it, do you?"
"See what?"
"That man is obsessed with you."
Elijah opened his mouth to fire back a retort, but Matteo cut him off.
"You think Dominic loves you? Maybe he does. But love in our world, Elijah, isn't soft. It's a weapon." Matteo leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "And Dominic? He'll use you against himself if it means keeping you close."
Elijah swallowed hard. "That's bullshit."
Matteo chuckled. "Is it?"
The car came to a stop, and Matteo gestured toward the private villa in front of them. The waves crashed gently against the dock, but the air between them was anything but peaceful.
"Come inside. Let's have a drink," Matteo offered smoothly.
Elijah hesitated. He wasn't stupid. Matteo was dangerous, just like Dominic. But there was something about him—something calculated and patient, unlike Dominic's explosive nature.
"I think I'm good right here," Elijah said, gripping the car door handle.
Matteo let out a slow, knowing sigh. "You really believe he's going to let you go?"
Elijah froze.
Matteo leaned back against the leather seat, watching him. "You can run all you want, bambino. But Dominic Moretti doesn't let go of what's his."
Elijah clenched his jaw. He wasn't Dominic's.
Right?
He pushed the door open and stepped out into the night, but Matteo's voice followed him.
"You'll come to me soon enough, Elijah."
Elijah didn't look back. But something told him Matteo wasn't wrong.
---
Meanwhile…
Dominic stormed through his estate, his expression dark as hell. Vincent had just delivered the news. Elijah was with Matteo.
The air crackled with his fury.
"He's testing me," Dominic muttered, running a hand through his hair.
Vincent crossed his arms. "What's the play, boss?"
Dominic exhaled slowly. "I let him have his fun." His eyes darkened. "Then I remind him who Elijah really belongs to."
The night air was cold against Elijah's skin as he stepped out of Matteo's car. His mind was a mess—Matteo's words, Dominic's possessiveness, and his own damn confusion all tangled together.
Matteo watched him from the driver's seat, a smirk playing at his lips. "You're thinking too hard, bambino."
Elijah scoffed. "And you're talking too much."
Matteo chuckled. "Fair enough. But don't forget what I said."
Elijah turned his back on him and started toward his apartment. He wasn't in the mood for games.
But he barely made it up the steps before he felt it—a presence.
His pulse spiked.
Before he could react, a strong hand grabbed his wrist and spun him around. His back hit the cold brick wall, and his breath left him in a sharp exhale.
Dominic.
His dark eyes were burning with something dangerous. His grip was tight, possessive, as if he was barely holding himself back.
"Where the fuck were you?" Dominic's voice was low, lethal.
Elijah blinked, still catching up. "Excuse me?"
Dominic's jaw clenched. "Don't play dumb, Eli."
That damn nickname. It sent shivers down Elijah's spine, but he wasn't about to admit it. "I don't owe you an explanation," he snapped.
Dominic's fingers dug into his waist, pulling him even closer. "You were with Matteo."
Elijah tensed. "So what if I was?"
Dominic's eyes darkened. "So what?" He let out a sharp laugh, but there was no humor in it. "Do you have any fucking idea what kind of man he is?"
Elijah's temper flared. "Oh, and you're a saint?"
Dominic's grip tightened. "You don't get it, do you?" His breath was warm against Elijah's skin, his voice barely a whisper now. "Matteo isn't just trying to fuck with me he wants you, Elijah."
Elijah's heart pounded. "And what if I let him?"
The second the words left his mouth, Dominic snapped.
He crashed his lips against Elijah's, fierce and punishing, a kiss filled with frustration, jealousy, and something else Elijah wasn't ready to name.
Elijah gasped against Dominic's mouth, but he didn't push him away.
He should have.
But he didn't.
Dominic pulled back just enough to rest his forehead against Elijah's, his breath ragged. "I don't share, Elijah."
Elijah's fingers curled into Dominic's jacket. His thoughts were a whirlwind, but his body betrayed him his heart racing, his lips tingling.
"…Then make me yours."
Dominic's eyes flashed with something primal.
And just like that, Elijah knew—there was no turning back.