The car ride was silent.
Not the peaceful kind.
The kind that suffocates.
Dominic's grip on the steering wheel was tight, his knuckles white. Elijah sat beside him, arms crossed, eyes glaring out the window.
The tension was so thick, it could break.
Then—
"You're hurting me."
Dominic's head snapped toward Elijah. His grip on Elijah's wrist had tightened without him realizing it.
He let go—reluctantly.
"Elijah," his voice was low, strained, "what the hell were you thinking?"
Elijah scoffed. "I was thinking about having a drink. Didn't know I needed your permission."
Dominic's jaw clenched. "With Matteo Romano?"
Elijah shrugged. "Didn't seem like a big deal."
Dominic slammed the brakes.
The car jerked to a stop on the empty road.
Silence.
Elijah turned to face him, startled but defiant. "Are you crazy?"
Dominic's eyes burned. "You don't know what he's capable of."
Elijah held his gaze. "Then tell me."
Dominic exhaled sharply. "He's not interested in just conversation, Elijah. He's playing a game, and you're the prize."
Elijah rolled his eyes. "Wow. Didn't know I was that special."
Dominic's hand shot up, gripping Elijah's chin, forcing him to look at him.
"You are."
Elijah's breath hitched.
Dominic's gaze burned into him, intense, possessive.
"You're mine, Elijah."
Elijah's heart pounded. Too fast. Too loud.
"Who said I was?" he muttered.
Dominic leaned closer, his breath hot against Elijah's lips.
"I did."
Elijah's lips parted slightly. He should pull away. Should.
But Dominic's eyes held him captive.
Then—
Dominic released him and leaned back, gripping the steering wheel.
"Stay away from Matteo."
Elijah scoffed. "You don't own me."
Dominic's smirk was dark. "Don't I?"
Elijah hated the way his stomach fluttered.
This was dangerous. Too dangerous.
And yet…
He couldn't look away.
---