Elijah should probably be scared.
Most people would be.
Dominic Moretti is a dangerous man. A man people whisper about, fear, avoid.
And yet-
Elijah just finds him annoying.
Like a strict parent he never asked for.
Like a guard dog he never needed.
So, naturally-he ignores him.
And that?
That pisses Dominic off.
---
The University Bar - 10:32 PM
Elijah is drunk.
Not blackout drunk. Just the right amount-the kind where everything feels funnier, where bad decisions seem like great ideas.
Which is why, when he sees a group of men eyeing him from across the bar, he doesn't think twice before winking at one of them.
Leo groans. "Dude, what are you doing?"
Elijah smirks, taking a sip of his drink. "Having fun?"
Leo rubs his face. "Those guys don't look like the 'fun' type."
Elijah shrugs. "Relax. It's just a drink."
It is not just a drink.
Because fifteen minutes later-
Elijah finds himself pushed up against the back alley wall.
And not in a sexy way.
The guy-tall, broad, sketchy as hell-grins down at him. "You're bolder than you look, huh?"
Elijah does not like this.
He tries to move, but the guy's grip tightens.
"You're Moretti's little toy, aren't you?"
Elijah blinks. Wait. What?
Before he can process that-
A gun cocks.
And suddenly-
The guy isn't touching him anymore.
Because Dominic is here.
And he looks murderous.
---
Dominic's Fury
Elijah barely has time to react before Dominic grabs him by the wrist.
Hard.
Pulling him away, dragging him into the waiting car.
Elijah blinks. "Whoa, whoa-what the hell? I was handling it!"
Dominic slams the car door shut.
Silence.
The air is suffocating.
And then-
Dominic speaks.
"You don't get to be reckless."
Elijah scoffs. "Oh, so now I need your permission to exist?"
Dominic's jaw tightens.
"You have no idea how many people want you dead."
Elijah rolls his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, scary mafia men, blah blah-"
Dominic moves.
Fast. Too fast.
One second, he's sitting across from Elijah.
The next?
He's leaning over him.
Hand gripping Elijah's chin, forcing him to look at him.
Elijah's breath catches.
Dominic's voice is low, furious.
"You think this is a game?"
Elijah doesn't answer.
Because for the first time-
He's not sure anymore.