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.
---