Chapter 16: The Line Between Hate And Desire

Elijah has a mission.

A simple one.

Prove—to himself, to Vincent, to the whole damn world—that he doesn't feel anything for Dominic Moretti.

Because he doesn't.

Right?

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Step One: Avoid Dominic Like the Plague

It starts with the small things.

Elijah changes his schedule, waking up late to avoid seeing Dominic at breakfast. He lingers in the library instead of hanging around the common areas. If he hears Dominic's voice from a room, he turns the other way.

Vincent notices immediately.

"You look like a rat dodging a cat," he comments, amused. "You do realize Dominic owns this whole damn mansion? You can't avoid him forever."

Elijah glares. "Watch me."

Vincent grins. "Oh, I will. And I'll be laughing my ass off when it backfires."

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Step Two: Get a Distraction

Elijah decides to talk to literally anyone except Dominic.

The guards. The maids. The damn chef.

At one point, he finds himself in the kitchen, watching the staff prepare dinner, pretending to be super interested in the way they chop onions.

Dominic finds him there.

Elijah nearly drops the knife he's holding.

Dominic leans against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching him with that unreadable expression.

Elijah swallows. Fuck.

"You're avoiding me," Dominic says.

Elijah snorts. "I think you're overestimating your importance in my life."

Dominic's eyes darken.

"Elijah." His voice is low. Dangerous.

And something in Elijah shivers.

He forces a smirk. "Relax, big guy. You're not my world."

Dominic moves so fast that Elijah barely has time to react before the man is in front of him, boxing him in against the counter.

Elijah's breath hitches.

Dominic tilts his head, studying him.

"Then why are you running?"

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The Problem With Denial

Elijah doesn't answer.

Because he doesn't know how.

Dominic is too close.

And his body reacts before his brain does.

His pulse skips. His stomach flutters. He's acutely aware of Dominic's heat, his scent, the way his voice wraps around him like a trap.

And for the first time—

Elijah realizes he might be fucked.

Dominic notices.

And he smirks.

"I'll ask again," he murmurs, voice like silk. "Why are you running, Eli?"

Elijah shoves him away. Hard.

His face burns.

"Go to hell, Moretti."

And he storms out, ignoring the way his heart pounds like it's trying to escape his chest.

Dominic watches him go.

His smirk widens.

Interesting.

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