The next day, Elijah tried to push the weight of the previous night out of his mind.
He met Adrian at a local café, trying to focus on the mundane chatter about school and life in general. But all he could think about was how Dominic's words echoed in his mind—how they made him feel something he couldn't explain.
"So," Adrian said, taking a sip of his coffee and raising an eyebrow at Elijah. "What's going on with you and Mr. Mafia?"
Elijah stiffened, nearly choking on his drink.
"Adrian, I've told you already, it's nothing," he muttered, trying to hide the unease creeping into his voice. "He's just some guy who thinks he can get whatever he wants."
Adrian leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "You sure about that? Because it sounds like you're about to get swallowed whole by him."
Elijah shot Adrian a glare, but his stomach twisted in knots. "I'm fine," he snapped, his usual confident tone wavering.
Adrian didn't press further, though he looked unconvinced. "Alright, alright," he said, leaning back in his chair. "Just don't say I didn't warn you when you end up playing a game you can't win."
The words lingered in the air, and Elijah's thoughts began to spiral.
Adrian had no idea.
No idea how close he was to the truth.
That night, after their brief hangout, Elijah found himself standing outside his apartment building, staring up at the dark windows. The air was colder than he expected. A light breeze tousled his hair, making him shiver.
His phone buzzed in his pocket.
It was Dominic.
Dominic: I know you're out with your friend.
Dominic: But I'm not done with you yet.
A chill ran down Elijah's spine.
He bit his lip, his heart pounding. He wanted to ignore the message—wanted to throw his phone in the trash and forget Dominic ever existed. But he couldn't.
He couldn't stop thinking about the man, the way Dominic's eyes burned with something possessive, demanding, and how Elijah couldn't figure out whether it made him want to run or stay.
Elijah swallowed, typing back quickly.
Elijah: I'm fine, Dominic. You don't own me.
Almost instantly, Dominic's reply came.
Dominic: Don't mistake my patience for weakness, Eli. I'll be seeing you soon.
Elijah's heart skipped a beat.
He didn't know why, but those words made him feel a mix of excitement and fear.
The door to his apartment creaked open, and Elijah stepped inside, his mind a mess of conflicting emotions.
Dominic Moretti was playing a game, and Elijah was already too far in to walk away.
But was he willing to play?
---