Elijah stares at Vincent.
"…What the hell do you mean I'm trending?"
Vincent shrugs. "Exactly what I said. People are talking."
Elijah feels a headache forming. "Talking about what?"
Vincent smirks. "You."
Elijah groans, running a hand through his hair. "Great. Just great. I'm stuck in this ridiculous mansion, being held hostage by some psycho—"
Dominic raises a brow.
Elijah ignores him.
"—And now, I'm apparently some kind of celebrity in the mafia world? Are you kidding me?"
Vincent tilts his head. "Well, when the King of the Underworld suddenly takes an interest in some random university student, people are gonna ask questions."
Elijah freezes.
His gaze flicks to Dominic.
The King of the Underworld?
That's what they call him?
Dominic doesn't react—like it's the most normal thing in the world.
Elijah scowls. "Well, tell them I'm not interesting. In fact, tell them I'm the most boring person ever and they should move on with their lives."
Vincent chuckles. "Not how this works, kid."
Elijah grits his teeth. "Then how does it work?"
Vincent's smirk fades slightly.
"The more people talk about you, the more attention you attract." His eyes darken. "And not the good kind."
Elijah stiffens.
---
Dominic's Decision
Dominic finally speaks. "You're staying here."
Elijah snaps his head toward him. "Excuse me?"
Dominic doesn't blink. "It's not safe for you to leave."
Elijah laughs. "Oh, so now you care about my safety?"
Dominic's jaw tightens slightly. "I've always cared."
Elijah blinks.
That…
That sounded too genuine.
He doesn't know how to respond, so he does the next best thing—he gets pissed.
"Yeah? Well, guess what? I don't give a damn. I'm leaving."
Vincent winces. "Bad idea."
Elijah glares at him. "I don't care."
Then he turns back to Dominic. "And you can't stop me."
Dominic tilts his head slightly. "Can't I?"
Elijah swears his heart skips a beat.
Not out of fear.
… Or at least, not the normal kind.
He clenches his fists. "I'm not some possession you can just keep locked up."
Dominic's eyes darken.
He takes a step forward. Elijah takes a step back.
The air shifts.
Dominic speaks, voice dangerously low.
"I don't keep possessions, Eli."
Another step forward.
Elijah's back hits the wall.
Dominic's hand cages him in.
"I protect what's mine."
Elijah stops breathing.
… What the fuck is this tension?
Just as he's about to snap back—
Vincent clears his throat.
Elijah jolts.
Vincent smirks. "Should I leave you two alone? Or is this just how you guys communicate?"
Elijah wants to die.
Dominic?
Completely unbothered.
He steps back, like nothing happened. "Find out who's been spreading the rumors," he tells Vincent.
Vincent sighs dramatically. "Yeah, yeah. I'll handle it. But you two should really get a room."
Elijah throws a pillow at his head.
---