Elijah is not staying here.
Dominic Moretti can play all the scary mafia boss games he wants—Elijah isn't his damn prisoner.
The second the house falls silent, he's gone.
Or at least… that was the plan.
Until he tries to leave.
And fails spectacularly.
---
Attempt #1: The Front Door Escape
Elijah tiptoes through the hallway, heart racing. Almost there.
He reaches the massive front doors, fingers curling around the handle.
Just as he starts to pull—
Click.
The lock doesn't budge.
Elijah's brow twitches. He tries again. Still locked.
"Looking for something?"
Elijah jumps.
Because Dominic is right behind him.
Leaning against the wall, arms crossed, watching him like a predator amused by its prey.
Elijah groans. "Seriously?"
Dominic's smirk deepens. "Go back to bed, Eli."
Elijah scowls. "Stop calling me that."
Dominic just tilts his head—like he's considering something. Then he turns and walks away.
Which is… weird.
But fine. Elijah will try again later.
---
Attempt #2: The Window Escape
Elijah throws open the window of his guest room, looking down.
It's a three-story drop.
… Okay. Maybe not the best idea.
But he spots a balcony below.
If he can just—
"You're an idiot."
Elijah yelps as a voice suddenly speaks up.
Dominic is right there. Again.
Sitting in a chair, sipping whiskey, watching him like he's been expecting this.
Elijah glares. "Do you just… stalk me for fun?"
Dominic takes a slow sip, eyes glinting. "Eli, if I wanted to keep you locked up, you wouldn't even make it to the window."
Elijah folds his arms. "Then unlock the damn door."
Dominic smirks. "No."
Elijah groans.
This is so unfair.
---
A Change in Tactics
If he can't leave, he'll do the next best thing.
Be annoying as hell.
So, for the next few hours, Elijah:
Turns the TV up way too loud
Refuses to eat anything Dominic offers
Keeps pacing just to irritate him
Dominic doesn't react.
Until—
Elijah grabs his phone.
"Cool. If I can't leave, I'll just call someone to pick me up."
Before he can even dial—Dominic moves.
Fast.
Too fast.
One second, Elijah is holding the phone. The next?
Dominic has him pinned against the couch.
Hand wrapped around Elijah's wrist.
His other hand gripping Elijah's chin, forcing him to look at him.
Dominic's voice is low. Dangerous.
"Do you enjoy testing me, Eli?"
Elijah swallows.
Because for the first time—Dominic looks genuinely pissed.
And somehow, that's more terrifying than anything.
Elijah's heart pounds.
Dominic's grip on his wrist is firm, his body too close.
The way those sharp, dark eyes pin him down without even touching him properly—
It's annoying.
It's intense.
And worst of all?
It's doing something to him.
Elijah swallows hard. "Dude… Let me go."
Dominic tilts his head slightly, as if considering it. His thumb brushes over Elijah's pulse, feeling the way it races beneath his skin.
Then, he smirks.
"Why?"
Elijah's breath catches for half a second.
Just half a second.
But that's all Dominic needs to see.
His smirk deepens. "You're not scared, are you, Eli?"
Elijah scowls, snapping back into reality. "No, dumbass. I just don't like being—"
Click.
The door swings open.
Both of them freeze.
A slow whistle fills the room.
"Well, well. Am I interrupting something?"
---
Vincent Walks In
Vincent leans against the doorframe, arms crossed, a lazy smirk on his face.
Elijah jumps back instantly, yanking his wrist from Dominic's grip. His face burns—but whether from irritation or something else, he refuses to think about it.
Dominic, on the other hand?
Completely unbothered.
He leans back against the couch like he wasn't just cornering Elijah like a damn predator.
Vincent chuckles. "Didn't realize you had company, boss."
Dominic doesn't even look at him. "You should knock."
Vincent raises a brow. "Should I?"
He glances at Elijah, eyes glinting with pure amusement.
"You're looking a little flustered, kid."
Elijah groans, running a hand through his hair. "Screw off, man."
Vincent just grins. "I mean, it's not every day someone walks in on Dominic Moretti looking like he's about to devour someone whole."
Elijah chokes. "EXCUSE ME?!"
Dominic finally looks at Vincent deadpan.
"Get to the point."
Vincent snickers. "Alright, alright. Just thought you'd like to know some people are asking questions about our little guest here."
His eyes flick to Elijah.
"You're trending, kid."
Elijah's stomach drops.
Wait. What?
Elijah stares at Vincent.
"…What the hell do you mean I'm trending?"
Vincent shrugs. "Exactly what I said. People are talking."
Elijah feels a headache forming. "Talking about what?"
Vincent smirks. "You."
Elijah groans, running a hand through his hair. "Great. Just great. I'm stuck in this ridiculous mansion, being held hostage by some psycho—"
Dominic raises a brow.
Elijah ignores him.
"—And now, I'm apparently some kind of celebrity in the mafia world? Are you kidding me?"
Vincent tilts his head. "Well, when the King of the Underworld suddenly takes an interest in some random university student, people are gonna ask questions."
Elijah freezes.
His gaze flicks to Dominic.
The King of the Underworld?
That's what they call him?
Dominic doesn't react—like it's the most normal thing in the world.
Elijah scowls. "Well, tell them I'm not interesting. In fact, tell them I'm the most boring person ever and they should move on with their lives."
Vincent chuckles. "Not how this works, kid."
Elijah grits his teeth. "Then how does it work?"
Vincent's smirk fades slightly.
"The more people talk about you, the more attention you attract." His eyes darken. "And not the good kind."
Elijah stiffens.
---
Dominic's Decision
Dominic finally speaks. "You're staying here."
Elijah snaps his head toward him. "Excuse me?"
Dominic doesn't blink. "It's not safe for you to leave."
Elijah laughs. "Oh, so now you care about my safety?"
Dominic's jaw tightens slightly. "I've always cared."
Elijah blinks.
That…
That sounded too genuine.
He doesn't know how to respond, so he does the next best thing—he gets pissed.
"Yeah? Well, guess what? I don't give a damn. I'm leaving."
Vincent winces. "Bad idea."
Elijah glares at him. "I don't care."
Then he turns back to Dominic. "And you can't stop me."
Dominic tilts his head slightly. "Can't I?"
Elijah swears his heart skips a beat.
Not out of fear.
… Or at least, not the normal kind.
He clenches his fists. "I'm not some possession you can just keep locked up."
Dominic's eyes darken.
He takes a step forward. Elijah takes a step back.
The air shifts.
Dominic speaks, voice dangerously low.
"I don't keep possessions, Eli."
Another step forward.
Elijah's back hits the wall.
Dominic's hand cages him in.
"I protect what's mine."
Elijah stops breathing.
… What the fuck is this tension?
Just as he's about to snap back
Vincent clears his throat.
Elijah jolts.
Vincent smirks. "Should I leave you two alone? Or is this just how you guys communicate?"
Elijah wants to die.
Dominic?
Completely unbothered.
He steps back, like nothing happened. "Find out who's been spreading the rumors," he tells Vincent.
Vincent sighs dramatically. "Yeah, yeah. I'll handle it. But you two should really get a room."
Elijah throws a pillow at his head.