Elijah walks out of the VIP section with a satisfied smirk.
He's got zero clue why Dominic Moretti called him over, but hey-free drinks, an intense staring contest, and a mafia boss who acts like a grumpy cat? Not a bad night.
Adrian grabs his arm the second he steps back onto the dance floor. "Dude, are you insane?"
Elijah laughs, pulling away. "Relax, I'm still alive."
Adrian looks ready to pass out. "Elijah, that was Dominic Moretti. The guy doesn't do casual conversations. If he talks to you, it's either because he wants something-"
"Or he wants me dead?" Elijah grins. "Guess I should sleep with one eye open."
Adrian groans, rubbing his face. "Why are you like this?"
But before Elijah can answer, a girl from the bar waves at him. The bartender from earlier.
"Hey, you owe me a dance," she calls.
Elijah winks. "Lucky for you, I have a thing for keeping promises."
As he moves toward her, he doesn't notice the pair of dark eyes still locked on him from across the club.
---
Dominic's Perspective
From the VIP section, Dominic watches Elijah with an unreadable expression.
Vincent, standing beside him, sighs. "He's an idiot."
Dominic takes a slow sip of whiskey. "He is."
But his eyes don't leave Elijah.
He watches the way Elijah grins at the bartender, the way he leans in close as they dance. Too close.
His jaw tightens.
Vincent shifts. "You're staring, boss."
Dominic sets his glass down. Hard. "Shut up."
---
The Jealousy That Shouldn't Exist
Elijah doesn't think much when he dances with the bartender. It's just fun.
But suddenly, the music feels different.
The air is heavier.
Like someone is watching him.
He turns his head-just slightly-and that's when he sees him.
Dominic Moretti.
Staring.
Expression unreadable.
But the weight of that gaze? It burns.
Elijah tilts his head, pretending not to notice the sudden chill that runs down his spine.
"What's wrong?" the bartender asks, resting a hand on his chest.
And then-it happens.
Before Elijah can answer, a strong hand grabs his wrist.
He barely has time to react before he's being pulled away from the dance floor.
"What the-?"
The bartender blinks in shock as Elijah stumbles after Dominic Moretti himself, his grip firm, unyielding.
"Elijah?" Adrian calls after him, but Dominic doesn't stop.
He leads Elijah toward the back of the club, away from the music, away from the crowd.
Only when they reach a dimly lit hallway does he finally stop.
And then-he turns.
Dark eyes sharp. Dangerous.
"You're testing my patience."
Elijah blinks. "Uh... what?"
Dominic steps closer, voice low, lethal. "Dancing with her?"
Elijah genuinely has no idea what's happening. "Uh, yeah? What, am I not allowed to dance now?"
Dominic's jaw clenches. His grip on Elijah's wrist tightens just slightly.
Elijah stares at him. "Dude. Are you... jealous?"
Dominic's expression darkens. "Careful."
Elijah laughs. Actually laughs.
"Holy shit. You're serious?"
Dominic doesn't answer.
But his silence? It says enough.
Elijah shakes his head, grinning. "Oh man, this is hilarious. You-jealous. Over me? That's crazy."
Dominic exhales slowly. Like he's trying very hard not to snap.
"Elijah." His voice is quiet, but it's not a request.
Elijah raises a brow. "What?"
And then-Dominic lets go.
Not because he wants to.
But because if he doesn't, he's not sure what he'll do next.
He steps back, schooling his expression into something unreadable. "Go home."
Elijah huffs. "Fine. But man, you really need to loosen up."
Dominic watches him walk away, hands clenched into fists.
Because for the first time in a very long time...
He's losing control.
Elijah wakes up the next morning with a groan.
His head? Pounding.
His throat? Dry as hell.
His phone? Blowing up with messages from Adrian.
Adrian: DUDE. WHAT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT?!
Adrian: Dominic Moretti DRAGGED you out of the club and you just WENT WITH IT??
Adrian: Are you dead? If you're dead, blink twice.
Elijah laughs, rubbing his face. Dramatic.
He texts back:
Elijah: Relax. I'm alive.
Adrian: That's what a ghost would say.
Shaking his head, Elijah sits up and stretches.
Last night was... weird.
Dominic had been intense. That stare, that grip, that deep-ass voice telling him he was "testing his patience."
Elijah smirks. The guy needs to chill.
He doesn't realize his phone is still vibrating.
Until he checks.
And sees an unknown number.
Unknown: Come outside.
Elijah frowns. "What the-"
A knock sounds at the door.
He hesitates, then gets up, opening it.
And standing there, looking completely unfazed at 9 AM, is Vincent.
"Elijah Sinclair."
Elijah blinks. "Uh... yeah?"
Vincent hands him a card. Black. No name. Just a time and place.
"Boss wants to see you."
Elijah blinks again. "Boss?"
Vincent sighs, like he's dealing with a child.
"Dominic Moretti."
Elijah tilts his head. "Huh. Already? Thought he'd at least wait three days before kidnapping me."
Vincent stares. "Are you always like this?"
Elijah grins. "Depends. You asking for business or pleasure?"
Vincent gives up.
"Just be there. Don't be late."
And with that, he walks off.
Elijah looks at the card, curiosity sparking.
"Well... this should be fun."
The Meeting
The location on the card leads to a private lounge.
Elijah steps inside, greeted by the scent of expensive whiskey and danger.
Dominic is there-alone this time.
He's sitting in a high-back leather chair, one leg crossed over the other, a glass in hand. He doesn't look up immediately.
Elijah raises a brow. "You called, boss?"
Dominic's eyes finally meet his.
Sharp. Cold. Like he's sizing Elijah up.
And then-he speaks.
"You don't listen very well."
Elijah grins. "Yeah, my professors say the same thing."
Dominic exhales. Like he expected that answer.
He sets his drink down. "I told you to be careful."
Elijah shrugs. "I am careful."
Dominic's jaw tightens. "Dancing with her?"
Elijah frowns. "The bartender? Dude, are we seriously still on that?"
Dominic leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Listen carefully, Elijah."
The tone makes something cold run down Elijah's spine.
"You don't belong in my world. But if you're going to stand this close to the fire..."
Dominic's fingers brush his glass.
"...there are rules."
Elijah scoffs. "Oh, please. What, you got a list of things I'm not allowed to do?"
Dominic meets his gaze, dead serious.
"Yes."
Elijah blinks. "Wait-what?"
Dominic leans back, crossing his arms. "No reckless flirting with people in my presence."
Elijah laughs. "Holy shit, you ARE jealous."
Dominic doesn't answer.
He just tilts his head slightly. "I'm giving you a warning, Sinclair."
Elijah hums. "And what happens if I break your little rules?"
Dominic's lips curve into something dangerous.
"You'll find out."
Elijah's heart skips a beat.
But he plays it off with a smirk. "Damn. That almost sounded like a threat."
Dominic stands, slowly. "It's not a threat."
He steps forward-closer.
And whispers, "It's a promise."