The atmosphere in the car was thick with tension. Matteo's gaze was unreadable, but Elijah could feel the weight of it as they drove through the dimly lit streets of Italy.
Elijah shifted in his seat. "So? Are we just going to drive in silence, or are you going to tell me what this little kidnapping is about?"
Matteo chuckled. "Kidnapping? Bambino, if I wanted to kidnap you, you wouldn't even know it was happening."
Elijah scoffed. "Reassuring."
The car took a sharp turn, and Elijah realized they were heading toward the private docks near the river. His stomach twisted.
"What's with the detour?" he asked warily.
Matteo exhaled slowly, swirling the whiskey glass in his hand. "You and I have a lot to discuss, Elijah."
Elijah raised a brow. "Oh yeah? About what?"
Matteo turned to him, his dark eyes locking onto Elijah's. "Dominic."
The name alone made Elijah's heart pick up pace.
Matteo smirked, as if he could hear it. "You really don't see it, do you?"
"See what?"
"That man is obsessed with you."
Elijah opened his mouth to fire back a retort, but Matteo cut him off.
"You think Dominic loves you? Maybe he does. But love in our world, Elijah, isn't soft. It's a weapon." Matteo leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "And Dominic? He'll use you against himself if it means keeping you close."
Elijah swallowed hard. "That's bullshit."
Matteo chuckled. "Is it?"
The car came to a stop, and Matteo gestured toward the private villa in front of them. The waves crashed gently against the dock, but the air between them was anything but peaceful.
"Come inside. Let's have a drink," Matteo offered smoothly.
Elijah hesitated. He wasn't stupid. Matteo was dangerous, just like Dominic. But there was something about him—something calculated and patient, unlike Dominic's explosive nature.
"I think I'm good right here," Elijah said, gripping the car door handle.
Matteo let out a slow, knowing sigh. "You really believe he's going to let you go?"
Elijah froze.
Matteo leaned back against the leather seat, watching him. "You can run all you want, bambino. But Dominic Moretti doesn't let go of what's his."
Elijah clenched his jaw. He wasn't Dominic's.
Right?
He pushed the door open and stepped out into the night, but Matteo's voice followed him.
"You'll come to me soon enough, Elijah."
Elijah didn't look back. But something told him Matteo wasn't wrong.
---
Meanwhile…
Dominic stormed through his estate, his expression dark as hell. Vincent had just delivered the news. Elijah was with Matteo.
The air crackled with his fury.
"He's testing me," Dominic muttered, running a hand through his hair.
Vincent crossed his arms. "What's the play, boss?"
Dominic exhaled slowly. "I let him have his fun." His eyes darkened. "Then I remind him who Elijah really belongs to."
---