The air in Dominic's estate was thick with tension, the echoes of gunfire still ringing in his ears. Matteo was gone—for now—but Dominic knew this was far from over. His grip on Elijah was still tight, unwilling to let him go even for a second. He had almost lost him. Again.
Elijah, still shaken from the chaos, finally pulled away slightly, looking up at Dominic with a mixture of exhaustion and frustration. "You can let go now, you know," he muttered.
Dominic didn't.
His dark gaze bore into Elijah's, his jaw clenched. "No."
Elijah sighed. "You're acting like I'll disappear."
"You almost did," Dominic shot back, his voice dangerously low. He tilted Elijah's chin up, forcing their eyes to meet. "You don't get it, do you? I was ready to burn this entire fucking city to the ground for you."
Elijah's breath hitched. The weight of those words settled deep in his chest, but he quickly shook it off, scoffing. "Dramatic much?"
Dominic exhaled sharply. This brat… Even after being kidnapped, after being held at gunpoint, he still had the audacity to joke.
"Elijah." Dominic's tone was sharp. "This isn't a game. Matteo isn't done with you."
Elijah frowned, crossing his arms. "Well, it's not like I asked him to be obsessed with me."
Dominic's eyes darkened dangerously. That was exactly the problem—Matteo wanted what belonged to him. And no one touched what was his.
He took a slow, threatening step closer, invading Elijah's space. "Then stop looking so fucking tempting," Dominic murmured, his fingers tracing along Elijah's jaw before gripping his chin. "You don't realize what you do to people."
Elijah's heart skipped. Dominic was staring at him in that way again—possessive. Hungry. Dangerous.
"Elijah," Vincent's voice interrupted from the doorway, making them both snap their heads in his direction. "We need to talk."
Dominic did not appreciate the interruption.
"Unless it's about putting a bullet in Matteo's skull, I don't give a damn," Dominic snapped.
Vincent's expression was grim. "It's about Adrian."
Elijah stiffened. His best friend?
"What about Adrian?" Elijah asked, voice suddenly sharp.
Vincent hesitated, then looked at Dominic. "He might be in trouble."
Elijah's stomach dropped. No. Not Adrian.
Without another word, he grabbed his coat, but before he could move further, Dominic yanked him back.
"Elijah, don't."
"I have to—"
"You're not stepping one foot outside this house."
Elijah glared at him. "Dominic, I swear to God—"
"Then swear on something else, because you're not leaving."
Elijah was about to argue when Vincent spoke again. "It's too late."
The room fell silent.
"What?" Elijah breathed.
Vincent's expression was hard. "Matteo got to him first."
Elijah felt the ground sway beneath him. His chest tightened as Vincent's words echoed in his ears.
Matteo got to him first.
"No. No, that's not possible," Elijah said, shaking his head. His hands clenched into fists, his nails digging into his palms. "Adrian's smart. He wouldn't let that bastard take him."
Vincent's silence was deafening.
Dominic stepped in front of Elijah, his presence a wall of authority and control. "Where is he?" His voice was cold, almost deadly.
Vincent exhaled. "Matteo sent a message." He pulled out his phone, flipping the screen to show a video.
Elijah's heart stopped.
Adrian was tied to a chair, his face bruised, blood trailing from his lip. Matteo stood behind him, casually holding a knife.
"Oh, Dominic," Matteo's voice was smooth, taunting. "You didn't really think I'd let you keep everything to yourself, did you? You take what's mine, I take what's yours."
Matteo trailed the blade down Adrian's throat, making Elijah flinch.
"Now, be good and come find me. Oh, and bring my pretty little obsession with you." Matteo smirked at the camera. "Or don't. Either way, I'm having fun."
The video ended.
Elijah's vision blurred with rage. "I'm going."
Dominic's iron grip caught his wrist instantly.
"No, you're not."
Elijah turned on him, fury in his veins. "My best friend is in that psycho's hands. You think I'm just going to sit here while he—"
"You're not going anywhere, Elijah." Dominic's voice was final, his hold unrelenting.
Elijah ripped his arm free. "You don't control me, Dominic!"
The room went silent.
Dominic's jaw clenched, his muscles tensing dangerously. His eyes burned with something Elijah had never seen before—pure, terrifying possessiveness.
"Elijah." His voice was low, deadly. "I control everything."
Vincent cleared his throat, breaking the thick tension. "We don't have time for this. Matteo's expecting a response."
Dominic ran a hand down his face, exhaling harshly. "Fine. We move tonight."
Elijah's heart pounded.
"We?"
Dominic looked at him, his expression unreadable.
"You're not leaving my sight."