Elijah never thought a simple walk home could change his life.
But tonight, it does.
---
A New Face, A New Threat
Elijah had stayed late at the university, finishing up a project. It wasn't unusual, and normally, he wouldn't care about walking home alone.
But tonight, something feels… off.
There's a presence. A shadow trailing him.
His heart pounds. Is it Dominic?
No. It's someone else.
And then—
"I hope I'm not scaring you."
A smooth, deep voice.
Elijah stops and turns.
A man stands under a streetlamp, leaning against a sleek black car.
Tall. Well-dressed. Too handsome to be harmless.
A slow smile spreads across the stranger's face. "I didn't mean to startle you."
Elijah narrows his eyes. "Then why are you following me?"
The man chuckles. "I wasn't. Just a coincidence."
Bullshit.
But before Elijah can snap back, the man steps forward.
"Matteo Romano," he introduces himself, extending a hand.
Elijah doesn't take it. He knows that name.
Matteo smirks. "Ah. So you've heard of me."
Elijah's stomach twists. This is bad.
---
A Game Begins
Matteo studies him, eyes dark and unreadable. "You're Dominic's, aren't you?"
Elijah tenses. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Matteo hums, tilting his head. "Interesting answer."
He takes a step closer, just enough to make Elijah uncomfortable.
"You know, Dominic and I have a… complicated history." Matteo's tone is light, but there's a dangerous edge underneath. "But I didn't expect him to be so possessive over you."
Elijah keeps his expression neutral. "If you're looking for trouble, find someone else."
Matteo chuckles, clearly entertained. "No trouble. Just a drink."
Elijah hesitates. Everything in him says no.
But Matteo's smirk deepens. "What's wrong? You don't trust me?"
Shit.
Elijah never backs down from a challenge.
So he lifts his chin and says, "Fine. One drink."
Matteo's smile is sharp. Like he just won the first round of a dangerous game.
And Elijah has no idea what he's just walked into.
---