The tension in the room was suffocating. Dominic stood there, his jaw clenched tightly, eyes locked on Matteo. His hand still gripped the gun, but he knew that he couldn't pull the trigger just yet. Matteo had taken the first move, setting the stakes high, and Dominic wasn't about to let this game spiral out of control.
Elijah stood beside him, his heart pounding in his chest. He was itching to do something, anything, to help Adrian, but he knew better than to act recklessly now. This wasn't just about him—it was about their survival. If Dominic lost this game, everything would fall apart.
"We'll play your game, Matteo," Dominic said, his voice calm, but there was a dangerous edge to it. "But you better understand one thing: If anything happens to Elijah or Adrian, you won't live long enough to regret it."
Matteo laughed, a low, mocking sound that echoed off the walls. "You always have to spoil the fun, don't you, Dominic? I don't need to kill you—I have something far more interesting in mind."
Dominic's eyes never left Matteo as he spoke. "What's your game?"
Matteo's grin widened, and for a brief moment, it was almost like he was enjoying this. The sick joy in his eyes made Elijah's skin crawl. "You know how these things work. The game's simple: we fight. One-on-one. Whoever walks away gets to decide the fate of their opponents."
Elijah's stomach dropped. This wasn't just a game of words anymore. Matteo was challenging Dominic to a physical confrontation. He was daring Dominic to take the bait, and Dominic had no choice but to accept.
"No weapons," Matteo added, his smirk widening. "Just us. Hand-to-hand. And if you refuse, your friend here," Matteo pointed at Adrian, his voice laced with malice, "gets to stay right where he is. I'm not a monster, Dominic. I'll let him live—for now."
Dominic didn't flinch. His grip on the gun tightened, but then, slowly, he lowered it. "You think you can intimidate me with your little game?"
Matteo's eyes narrowed. "I don't need to intimidate you, Dominic. I need to break you. And there's nothing better than watching a man fall from the top. You'll lose, and I'll get everything I want."
Elijah took a deep breath, the knot in his chest tightening. He wanted to protest. He wanted to charge forward and save Adrian, but Dominic had made it clear that he would do this his way. This was Dominic's game to lose.
"Fine," Dominic said, his voice as cold as steel. "Let's play."
---
They moved to an empty part of the warehouse, where space had been cleared for the confrontation. The air felt thick with anticipation, and Elijah could barely breathe. He stood at the edge of the room, watching as Matteo and Dominic squared off, their stances poised for a fight that neither could afford to lose.
Elijah's mind raced. How had it come to this? How had they ended up in this twisted dance of power and control, where the lives of those they cared about were mere pawns in someone else's game?
And why was it always about power?
Matteo moved first, his movements swift and calculated. He lunged at Dominic, but Dominic was ready. The two men collided, their fists flying in a blur of speed and precision. The room seemed to vibrate with the force of their blows. Each punch seemed to resonate with the weight of their history—Dominic's rage, Matteo's bitter vendetta.
Elijah's pulse quickened as he watched, heart in his throat. He knew Dominic could fight—hell, he'd seen him take down enemies before. But there was something different about this fight. It wasn't just physical. It was personal.
The fight was brutal. Every move Dominic made was calculated, but Matteo was just as skilled. There was no room for error.
Elijah gritted his teeth, watching as Dominic took a punch to the jaw. The impact sent him stumbling back, but he quickly regained his footing, his eyes never leaving Matteo. The man was relentless, and the look in his eyes spoke volumes. He wanted to break Dominic, to make him suffer.
And then, it happened.
Matteo landed a hit that sent Dominic crashing to the ground. For a split second, Elijah's breath caught in his throat. His heart pounded in his chest, and before he knew it, his body moved before his mind could catch up.
"Elijah, no!" Dominic's voice rang out, but it was too late.
Elijah darted forward, desperate to reach his friend, but Matteo stepped in his way.
"You're not going anywhere, Elijah," Matteo taunted, grabbing him by the arm.
Elijah tried to pull away, but Matteo's grip was ironclad. His gaze burned into Elijah's, and for a brief moment, Elijah saw the twisted amusement in his eyes.
"Let go of me!" Elijah shouted, struggling against his grip.
But Matteo wasn't listening. He yanked Elijah closer, his breath hot against Elijah's ear. "You're not going to ruin this for me, Elijah. Not when I'm so close."
Elijah's blood boiled, but before he could react, there was a loud noise—a shout, followed by the sound of a body hitting the ground. Dominic had recovered.
The tension in the room shifted as Dominic rose to his feet, his eyes blazing with fury.
"You want to play, Matteo?" Dominic's voice was deathly calm. "You've got it."
With a final, brutal surge of strength, Dominic lunged forward, tackling Matteo to the ground. The fight was far from over.
---
The fight raged on, and Elijah stood frozen, caught between his anger, fear, and helplessness. He wanted to help Dominic—he wanted to see him win. But it was more than just about the fight. It was about control. It was about Dominic's will to dominate, to prove that no one, not even Matteo, could take him down.
Dominic was relentless, his every movement fueled by the desire to win, to save Adrian and prove that no one could defeat him.
And yet, as the battle continued, Elijah couldn't shake the feeling that something bigger was at play here.
----