The night was still, unnervingly quiet, as if the world was holding its breath. Elijah stood beside Dominic, his fists clenched at his sides, his heart racing. The cold night air cut through him, but it wasn't the chill that made him shiver—it was the weight of the situation. Adrian was still out there, trapped in Matteo's hands, and no matter how much Dominic tried to control things, Elijah wasn't going to sit this one out.
Dominic's men were gathered outside, preparing for the rescue. The sleek black SUVs were parked in perfect lines, ready to roll out at a moment's notice. Elijah couldn't help but feel the weight of it all. This wasn't just about Adrian anymore—it was about Dominic, the man who controlled everything, even him.
"Don't go doing anything stupid tonight, Eli." Dominic's voice was low, and he stood close enough that Elijah could feel the heat radiating off him.
Elijah glanced up at him, meeting those dark eyes. The possessiveness was still there, swirling behind the façade of calm. "You think I'm going to just sit here, wait for you to rescue my friend?"
Dominic's lips twitched into a cold smile, but there was something almost affectionate behind it. "Yes."
Elijah took a step back, his mind racing. "Well, I'm not."
He didn't give Dominic a chance to respond before he turned, striding toward the door. But before he could make it out, Dominic grabbed his wrist, spinning him around.
"I told you," Dominic growled, his voice dangerously low, "You're staying close to me, Elijah. If you think for one second that you're going anywhere without me, you're wrong."
Elijah stared at Dominic, the anger simmering beneath the surface. He wasn't about to back down. Adrian's life was on the line.
"I don't need you to protect me," Elijah bit back. "I need you to help me get Adrian out of there."
Dominic's jaw clenched. He was silent for a moment, then said, "I won't let anything happen to you."
Elijah wasn't sure whether to be relieved or frustrated by the promise. He was tired of being treated like a fragile thing, but right now, all he cared about was getting Adrian back.
"We go in at midnight," Dominic said, his tone commanding. "I'm not leaving without you, Eli."
Elijah's eyes narrowed. He hated the way Dominic said his name—Eli—so possessively. It grated on his nerves, but deep down, it did something else too, something he wasn't ready to admit. He wasn't sure if it was the rush of adrenaline or the strange pull he felt toward Dominic, but he had a feeling this night wasn't going to end well for anyone.
---
The clock struck midnight, and the operation began. Dominic's men were in place, weapons ready, each one moving with the precision of a well-oiled machine. Dominic stood at the forefront, his eyes scanning the area, always watching, always aware of the threat surrounding them.
Elijah's nerves were frayed, but he couldn't sit back now. He had to help Adrian. As much as he hated Dominic's control over him, he couldn't deny the fact that the man was damn good at what he did. There was a darkness in Dominic that Elijah couldn't ignore, and whether he liked it or not, it was what made him effective.
They approached Matteo's hideout, a rundown building on the outskirts of town. The air was thick with tension. Elijah's mind was racing. What kind of sick game was Matteo playing this time?
"We'll get him back," Dominic's voice cut through Elijah's thoughts, calm and steady. "You have my word."
Elijah didn't respond. Instead, he clenched his jaw and followed Dominic's lead. They made their way inside, the sound of footsteps echoing in the hollow, abandoned structure. The closer they got, the more Elijah could feel the walls closing in.
Finally, they reached a small room at the end of a long hallway. Elijah's pulse quickened. Adrian was inside, he knew it.
But as they pushed open the door, they were met with a chilling sight. Adrian wasn't alone.
Matteo sat in a chair, his smirk deadly, as he lazily twirled a knife in his hand. Adrian was unconscious, bound to a chair, blood trickling from his lip.
"Well, well," Matteo said, his voice mocking. "Look who decided to show up."
Dominic's eyes darkened, and without a second thought, he stepped forward, a gun now in his hand, his gaze never leaving Matteo. "Let him go, Matteo."
Matteo chuckled, standing up slowly, the knife still in his hand. "Not so fast. You want him back? You'll have to make a choice."
Elijah's stomach twisted. "What do you want?"
Matteo's smile grew wider. "I want a game. You and me, Dominic. One-on-one."
Dominic's face was unreadable, but Elijah could feel the tension in the air. "What's the game?"
Matteo stepped closer, the knife glinting in the dim light. "Simple. You win, you get him back. But if you lose, I take what's mine. And you'll never see either of them again."
Elijah could feel the weight of Matteo's words. This was more than just a game—it was a twisted way to make Dominic pay for everything he'd done.
Dominic stood there for a moment, his eyes cold and calculating. Then, without warning, he gave a sharp nod. "Fine."
Matteo grinned. "Good. Let the game begin."
------