The warehouse's dim light cast elongated shadows as Dominic stood over Matteo's unconscious form. Elijah hurried to Adrian, whose wrists bore the angry red marks of tight bindings. Gently, Elijah shook his friend.
"Adrian, it's me," Elijah said softly.
Adrian's eyelids fluttered open, his gaze unfocused. "Elijah? What's happening? Where are we?"
Dominic approached, his presence commanding. "We need to move. Now."
With Dominic's help, Elijah lifted Adrian to his feet. As they made their way out, Adrian's confusion deepened.
"Elijah," Adrian murmured, "who is this guy? What's going on?"
Elijah hesitated, glancing at Dominic. The weight of unspoken truths pressed heavily on him.
Once outside, the cool night air hit them. Dominic's men stood alert by the black SUVs.
"Boss?" one inquired.
"Situation's handled," Dominic replied. "Let's move."
They settled Adrian into the backseat. As the vehicle pulled away, Adrian's gaze fixed on Elijah.
"Elijah, tell me the truth. What have you gotten yourself into?"
Elijah took a deep breath, knowing the moment had come to reveal the reality he'd kept hidden.
The car ride was tense.
Elijah sat in the backseat between Dominic and Adrian, his mind spinning from everything that had just happened. Adrian, still shaken, had his arms crossed, glaring at both of them. The car's interior was silent except for the faint hum of the engine and Vincent's voice coming through Dominic's earpiece, giving updates on the situation.
Adrian finally broke the silence. "So... when exactly were you planning to tell me that you've been playing house with a mafia boss?"
Elijah groaned, rubbing his face. "Not the time, Adrian."
"Not the time?!" Adrian snapped. "I just got kidnapped! You're being all weird with this guy, and I have no idea what the hell is going on!"
Dominic's grip on his thigh tightened, an unspoken warning. "Keep your voice down," he muttered, his tone icy.
Adrian turned his glare to Dominic. "Oh, I'm sorry. Am I not supposed to be pissed off after nearly getting my ass killed?!"
Before Dominic could respond, the car slowed to a stop. Elijah glanced outside-it wasn't the mansion. Instead, they had pulled into a private airstrip. The black jet stood waiting, its engines already running.
Elijah frowned. "Why are we here?"
Dominic turned to him, his expression unreadable. "We're leaving."
Elijah blinked. "Leaving where?"
"Italy."
Elijah's breath caught. "Wait, what?"
"You need to be somewhere safe," Dominic said firmly. "Matteo isn't done, and I won't let him get another chance at you."
Elijah shook his head. "You can't just decide that on your own!"
Dominic's gaze darkened. "I can. And I have."
Adrian scoffed. "Wow, controlling much?"
Vincent opened the door, gesturing for them to get out. "Jet's ready, Boss."
Elijah stayed put. "I'm not going anywhere."
Dominic turned to him slowly. "Elijah." His voice was low, dangerous.
Elijah's heart pounded, but he met Dominic's gaze with defiance. "I can't just run every time something happens."
Dominic's patience was wearing thin. "This isn't up for discussion."
Adrian shifted uncomfortably. "Uh, I don't know about you, but I'm not exactly eager to stay here and get shot at again."
Elijah sighed. "Adrian..."
"Look," Adrian exhaled. "You might be used to all this crazy mafia shit, but I'm not. If getting on that jet means I won't end up in a ditch somewhere, I'm getting on the damn jet."
Elijah gritted his teeth. He wanted to fight, wanted to argue-but one look at Dominic's face told him he wouldn't win.
With a frustrated sigh, he stepped out of the car. Dominic followed, his grip firm around Elijah's wrist, as if he was afraid he'd run.
The engines roared as they boarded.
As the jet took off, Elijah glanced out the window, watching as the city lights of Italy faded beneath them.
For better or worse, there was no turning back now.
The jet soared through the sky, leaving Italy far behind. The cabin was eerily quiet, tension thick between them.
Elijah sat stiffly in one of the leather seats, arms crossed, glaring at Dominic, who sat across from him, unbothered as he sipped a glass of whiskey.
Adrian, sitting beside Elijah, leaned over and whispered, "So... are we gonna talk about the fact that your crazy mafia boyfriend just kidnapped us both?"
Elijah groaned. "Not now, Adrian."
Dominic's cold eyes flickered toward Adrian. "I didn't kidnap you. I saved your life."
Adrian rolled his eyes. "Oh, right. How noble of you. What's next? Locking us in a mansion with armed guards?"
Dominic took another sip of whiskey and didn't answer.
Elijah ran a hand through his hair. "Where exactly are we going?"
Vincent, who had been standing near the cockpit, answered, "Safe house. Outside the city. Secure location."
Elijah sighed. "So what, I don't get a choice?"
Dominic's expression darkened. "You lost that choice when Matteo went after you."
Elijah clenched his jaw. "You don't get to control my life, Dominic."
Dominic set his glass down, leaning forward, his gaze sharp. "Your life belongs to me. Or have you forgotten?"
Adrian's head snapped toward Elijah. "Wait. What the hell does he mean by that?"
Elijah froze. He had never told Adrian the full extent of his... situation with Dominic.
Adrian's eyes darted between them. "Eli, what did you do?"
Elijah swallowed hard. "It's complicated."
Dominic smirked. "Not really. He's mine."
Adrian looked like he was about to explode. "You-what? You sold yourself to a mafia boss? Are you insane?!"
Elijah shot Dominic a glare. "Could you not?"
Dominic just looked amused. "He asked."
Adrian threw his hands up. "Oh my God. I was worried about you because you weren't answering my calls, and the whole time, you were playing house with a mafia psycho?"
"I wasn't playing house!" Elijah snapped.
Dominic leaned back, satisfied. "He tried to run, but I caught him."
Adrian's jaw dropped. "You tried to run?!"
Elijah groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Can you stop making this worse?"
Vincent chuckled from his spot near the cockpit. "This is actually pretty entertaining."
Elijah shot him a glare.
Adrian exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. "This is a damn mess, Eli."
Elijah sighed. "Tell me about it."
Dominic's phone buzzed. He checked the message, his smirk disappearing.
Vincent immediately picked up on it. "Problem?"
Dominic's eyes darkened. "Matteo isn't done."
Elijah tensed.
Dominic's gaze flicked to him. "We're not safe yet."
The jet continued flying through the dark sky, but it no longer felt like they were out of danger.
They were just getting started.