The tension in the jet didn't let up. Adrian was still staring at Elijah like he was insane, Dominic looked as unreadable as ever, and Vincent was watching everything like a movie he was enjoying way too much.
Elijah let out a sharp breath. "Can we at least talk about this like normal people?"
Dominic arched a brow. "You think any of this is normal?"
Elijah shot him a glare. "You know what I mean."
Adrian crossed his arms. "No, actually, we don't. Because one minute, I think my best friend is living a normal life, and the next, he's mixed up with the freaking mafia!" He turned to Dominic. "And you-you just say things like he's mine like that's a perfectly fine thing to say in a relationship. Newsflash, bro, that's not romantic. That's psycho."
Dominic tilted his head, completely unbothered. "Yet, he's still here."
Adrian turned back to Elijah. "Eli, I swear, if you tell me you actually like this guy-"
"I don't," Elijah cut in quickly.
A flicker of something dangerous flashed through Dominic's eyes, but he stayed silent.
Adrian let out a relieved sigh. "Okay, good. Because this whole setup is-"
"But," Elijah added, rubbing the back of his neck, "it's... complicated."
Dominic smirked.
Adrian groaned. "God, I hate you."
Vincent snorted. "I like this one."
Elijah ignored him and looked back at Dominic. "What did you mean when you said Matteo isn't done?"
Dominic's jaw tightened. "He has other plans."
Elijah frowned. "What kind of plans?"
Vincent answered for him. "Let's just say, Matteo isn't the type to give up. And since he didn't get what he wanted with you, he's going to make sure he gets back at Dominic in another way."
Elijah's stomach twisted. "Which means?"
Dominic's gaze darkened. "He'll go after something else I care about."
Elijah froze.
Adrian blinked. "Wait-what does that mean?"
Elijah didn't dare look at Dominic. He didn't want to see confirmation in his eyes. He didn't want to know what it meant that Matteo would go after him just to hurt Dominic.
Vincent sighed. "Well, at least it makes things interesting."
Dominic gave him a sharp look. "Shut up."
Vincent held up his hands. "Just saying."
Elijah let out a breath. "So what do we do now?"
Dominic stood, straightening his suit. "We prepare for war."
---