The night was unsettlingly quiet as Elijah walked down the empty streets, the distant hum of traffic the only sound accompanying him. His hands were stuffed into his pockets, his mind racing with everything that had just happened.
Matteo was playing a dangerous game—one Elijah wanted no part of. But what bothered him more was Dominic. The way he'd looked at him. The way he'd warned him.
"If you walk away now, don't expect me to chase you."
The words echoed in his head, making his chest feel tight.
Did Dominic really mean that?
Elijah scoffed under his breath. It wasn't like he wanted to be chased. Right?
A cold breeze rushed past him, making him shiver. He should go home, clear his head, and avoid both of those mafia lunatics for a while. But instead, he pulled out his phone and stared at the screen, debating whether or not to text Dominic.
He didn't get the chance.
The sudden screech of tires made him freeze.
A black car skidded to a stop beside him, its tinted windows rolling down just enough for him to see the figure inside.
"Elijah," Matteo's smooth voice called out.
Elijah cursed under his breath. "Not in the mood, man."
Matteo ignored his response. "Get in."
Elijah frowned. "Excuse me?"
Matteo tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "I don't like seeing you walk alone at night. It's not safe."
Elijah let out a dry laugh. "Oh, and you're my personal security detail now?"
Matteo smirked. "You're Dominic's weakness. That makes you a target."
Something in Elijah's stomach twisted. The way Matteo said it so casually, as if it were a fact, sent chills through him.
"So what, you're offering protection?" he asked, skeptical.
Matteo's smirk deepened. "I'm offering a ride."
Elijah hesitated. Every warning bell in his head screamed don't trust him, but at the same time, walking alone at this hour with who knows what lurking in the shadows didn't seem like the smartest move either.
He exhaled sharply. "Fine."
As soon as he slid into the car, he realized he might have made a mistake.
The doors locked automatically.
Matteo's driver pulled away from the curb.
Elijah turned to Matteo, narrowing his eyes. "Where exactly are we going?"
Matteo leaned back in his seat, his fingers lazily tracing the rim of a whiskey glass he must've had waiting for him. "Somewhere private."
Elijah's pulse spiked. "That's a creepy answer."
Matteo chuckled. "Relax, bambino. I just want to talk."
Elijah wasn't convinced.
---
Meanwhile, back at Dominic's estate, Vincent paced in front of his boss, clearly agitated.
"Elijah just left," Vincent informed him. "And guess who he left with?"
Dominic's head snapped up, his entire body going rigid. "Who?"
"Matteo."
A deadly silence filled the room.
Then—CRASH.
Dominic's whiskey glass shattered against the wall.
Vincent flinched but said nothing.
Dominic stood, his jaw clenched so tight it looked painful. "Find them. Now."
---