Elijah felt the ground sway beneath him. His chest tightened as Vincent's words echoed in his ears.
Matteo got to him first.
"No. No, that's not possible," Elijah said, shaking his head. His hands clenched into fists, his nails digging into his palms. "Adrian's smart. He wouldn't let that bastard take him."
Vincent's silence was deafening.
Dominic stepped in front of Elijah, his presence a wall of authority and control. "Where is he?" His voice was cold, almost deadly.
Vincent exhaled. "Matteo sent a message." He pulled out his phone, flipping the screen to show a video.
Elijah's heart stopped.
Adrian was tied to a chair, his face bruised, blood trailing from his lip. Matteo stood behind him, casually holding a knife.
"Oh, Dominic," Matteo's voice was smooth, taunting. "You didn't really think I'd let you keep everything to yourself, did you? You take what's mine, I take what's yours."
Matteo trailed the blade down Adrian's throat, making Elijah flinch.
"Now, be good and come find me. Oh, and bring my pretty little obsession with you." Matteo smirked at the camera. "Or don't. Either way, I'm having fun."
The video ended.
Elijah's vision blurred with rage. "I'm going."
Dominic's iron grip caught his wrist instantly.
"No, you're not."
Elijah turned on him, fury in his veins. "My best friend is in that psycho's hands. You think I'm just going to sit here while he—"
"You're not going anywhere, Elijah." Dominic's voice was final, his hold unrelenting.
Elijah ripped his arm free. "You don't control me, Dominic!"
The room went silent.
Dominic's jaw clenched, his muscles tensing dangerously. His eyes burned with something Elijah had never seen before—pure, terrifying possessiveness.
"Elijah." His voice was low, deadly. "I control everything."
Vincent cleared his throat, breaking the thick tension. "We don't have time for this. Matteo's expecting a response."
Dominic ran a hand down his face, exhaling harshly. "Fine. We move tonight."
Elijah's heart pounded.
"We?"
Dominic looked at him, his expression unreadable.
"You're not leaving my sight."
--------------