The morning after the night they shared felt like a haze, a dream from which Elijah couldn't wake. He sat at the edge of his bed, his fingers still tingling where Dominic had touched him. The kiss replayed in his mind over and over—intense, commanding, and something he couldn't escape.
He should feel angry, confused even. He should've pushed Dominic away. But instead, all he could do was sit there, his heart still racing, as if his body had already chosen what his mind refused to accept.
Elijah ran a hand through his messy hair, sighing deeply as he glanced at the clock. He had to leave for university soon, but the thought of stepping out of the apartment, knowing Dominic could show up at any moment, unsettled him.
A knock at the door shattered his thoughts, and for a brief moment, he wondered if it was Dominic again, standing outside like he had last night. But it was too early for that.
Elijah stood up and walked cautiously to the door. He peered through the peephole, and to his surprise, it wasn't Dominic. It was Adrian, his best friend, looking a little more disheveled than usual but still very much himself.
Elijah opened the door, offering Adrian a quick smile. "Hey, what's up?"
Adrian raised an eyebrow, glancing past Elijah as if looking for something or someone. "Thought you'd be busy with that mafia guy of yours." His tone was teasing, but there was a hint of concern in his eyes.
Elijah felt his chest tighten at the mention of Dominic. "It's not like that." He shrugged it off, though his voice wasn't convincing.
Adrian stepped into the apartment, scanning the space. "You sure about that?" he asked, his gaze lingering on Elijah as if he could see straight through him.
"Look, I've got a lot on my plate right now." Elijah's voice was strained, and he could hear the tension in his own words. "Just, let's talk later."
Adrian didn't press, but he raised an eyebrow. "Whatever. Just remember, I'm here if you need me. But that guy… he's dangerous, Eli. I don't trust him."
Elijah nodded, trying to keep his emotions in check. "I know, Adrian. But I'm figuring things out."
Adrian didn't look convinced, but he didn't push any further. "Alright, man. I'll catch you later. Don't get yourself into trouble."
With a final glance at Elijah, Adrian left, and the door closed behind him with a quiet click. Elijah leaned back against the door, his mind swirling with a mixture of guilt and confusion.
He knew Adrian was right. Dominic was dangerous, but there was something about him—something Elijah couldn't seem to walk away from. The attraction was too strong, too magnetic. And last night, it felt like everything shifted.
Before he could dwell on it further, his phone buzzed in his pocket.
Dominic: Meet me at the usual place tonight.
Elijah's breath caught in his throat. He stared at the message, a heavy feeling settling in his stomach. He couldn't ignore Dominic—not now. Not after everything that had happened.
Elijah: I'll be there.
He typed the message without thinking, his fingers moving as if they had a mind of their own. The decision was made, even though he wasn't sure what it would mean for him.
That night, when Elijah walked into the familiar dimly lit room, the air was thick with anticipation. He could already feel Dominic's presence before he even saw him. The mafia boss was sitting at the far end of the room, his eyes locked on Elijah the moment he entered. There was a quiet power in his gaze, an unspoken command.
Elijah swallowed hard, his heart racing as he approached. Dominic didn't say anything at first, just watched him, his intense gaze making Elijah feel like he was under a magnifying glass.
Finally, Dominic spoke, his voice low and almost dangerous. "You came."
Elijah could hear the approval in his tone, but there was something else too—something darker. "Of course, I did," Elijah replied, his voice steady but the tension in the room suffocating.
"Good," Dominic said, standing up to close the distance between them. He reached out, his hand brushing against Elijah's arm, the touch sending a shiver down his spine. "I knew you would."
Elijah felt the air between them crackle with unspoken words, with need and tension that neither of them could deny. Dominic's gaze flickered to Elijah's lips before he took a step back, his expression unreadable.
"Are you ready for what comes next?" Dominic asked, his voice like a warning.
Elijah could barely manage to nod, the words caught in his throat. He wasn't sure what Dominic meant, but there was no turning back now. The game had already begun.
And Elijah had no choice but to play along.
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