Elijah wakes up the next morning with a groan.
His head? Pounding.
His throat? Dry as hell.
His phone? Blowing up with messages from Adrian.
Adrian: DUDE. WHAT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT?!
Adrian: Dominic Moretti DRAGGED you out of the club and you just WENT WITH IT??
Adrian: Are you dead? If you're dead, blink twice.
Elijah laughs, rubbing his face. Dramatic.
He texts back:
Elijah: Relax. I'm alive.
Adrian: That's what a ghost would say.
Shaking his head, Elijah sits up and stretches.
Last night was... weird.
Dominic had been intense. That stare, that grip, that deep-ass voice telling him he was "testing his patience."
Elijah smirks. The guy needs to chill.
He doesn't realize his phone is still vibrating.
Until he checks.
And sees an unknown number.
Unknown: Come outside.
Elijah frowns. "What the-"
A knock sounds at the door.
He hesitates, then gets up, opening it.
And standing there, looking completely unfazed at 9 AM, is Vincent.
"Elijah Sinclair."
Elijah blinks. "Uh... yeah?"
Vincent hands him a card. Black. No name. Just a time and place.
"Boss wants to see you."
Elijah blinks again. "Boss?"
Vincent sighs, like he's dealing with a child.
"Dominic Moretti."
Elijah tilts his head. "Huh. Already? Thought he'd at least wait three days before kidnapping me."
Vincent stares. "Are you always like this?"
Elijah grins. "Depends. You asking for business or pleasure?"
Vincent gives up.
"Just be there. Don't be late."
And with that, he walks off.
Elijah looks at the card, curiosity sparking.
"Well... this should be fun."
---
The Meeting
The location on the card leads to a private lounge.
Elijah steps inside, greeted by the scent of expensive whiskey and danger.
Dominic is there-alone this time.
He's sitting in a high-back leather chair, one leg crossed over the other, a glass in hand. He doesn't look up immediately.
Elijah raises a brow. "You called, boss?"
Dominic's eyes finally meet his.
Sharp. Cold. Like he's sizing Elijah up.
And then-he speaks.
"You don't listen very well."
Elijah grins. "Yeah, my professors say the same thing."
Dominic exhales. Like he expected that answer.
He sets his drink down. "I told you to be careful."
Elijah shrugs. "I am careful."
Dominic's jaw tightens. "Dancing with her?"
Elijah frowns. "The bartender? Dude, are we seriously still on that?"
Dominic leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Listen carefully, Elijah."
The tone makes something cold run down Elijah's spine.
"You don't belong in my world. But if you're going to stand this close to the fire..."
Dominic's fingers brush his glass.
"...there are rules."
Elijah scoffs. "Oh, please. What, you got a list of things I'm not allowed to do?"
Dominic meets his gaze, dead serious.
"Yes."
Elijah blinks. "Wait-what?"
Dominic leans back, crossing his arms. "No reckless flirting with people in my presence."
Elijah laughs. "Holy shit, you ARE jealous."
Dominic doesn't answer.
He just tilts his head slightly. "I'm giving you a warning, Sinclair."
Elijah hums. "And what happens if I break your little rules?"
Dominic's lips curve into something dangerous.
"You'll find out."
Elijah's heart skips a beat.
But he plays it off with a smirk. "Damn. That almost sounded like a threat."
Dominic stands, slowly. "It's not a threat."
He steps forward-closer.
And whispers, "It's a promise."
---