Elijah doesn't like this.
Not the way Dominic is looking at him. Not the way his grip on Elijah's chin tightens just enough to make a point.
And definitely not the way his heart just skipped a beat.
This is not happening.
Not now. Not ever.
Elijah scoffs, slapping Dominic's hand away. "Chill, man. You act like I almost died or something."
Dominic's eyes darken.
"You did."
---
The Ride Home – Tension in the Air
Elijah sits in the backseat, arms crossed, as Dominic stares out the window. Silent. Unmoving.
Vincent is driving, wisely keeping his mouth shut.
Elijah sighs, tapping his fingers against his knee. "Alright, fine. I get it. The guy was sketchy. Whatever. Can I go now?"
Dominic's voice is calm. Too calm.
"No."
Elijah blinks. "Uh… excuse me?"
Dominic turns to him. "You don't get to walk around like you're untouchable. Not when people know your name. Not when they think you belong to me."
Elijah's stomach flips.
He forces a laugh. "Yeah, well, news flash—I don't."
Dominic's lips curl slightly.
"Don't you?"
What the fuck does that mean?!
Elijah stares at him, heart pounding. "Listen, man. I don't know what kind of weird mafia logic you've got going on, but I don't belong to anyone."
Dominic hums, leaning back in his seat. Smug.
"Sure."
And somehow—that pisses Elijah off even more.
---
Moretti's Estate – A Forced Stay
Elijah was supposed to be dropped home.
Instead?
He finds himself being dragged into Dominic's ridiculously huge mansion.
"What the hell?" Elijah protests, yanking at Dominic's grip. "Dude, I have classes tomorrow!"
"You're staying here tonight," Dominic says smoothly, like it's not a big deal.
Elijah glares. "Says who?"
"Says me."
Elijah growls. "Oh, bite me, Moretti."
Dominic leans in, voice low, teasing.
"Don't tempt me, Eli."
Elijah's face burns.
He hates that stupid nickname.
He hates the way Dominic says it.
And most of all—he hates that it's starting to get to him.
---