Chapter 34 TEASE
Eli sat on the edge of the long leather couch, fingers twisting anxiously in his lap. Outside the panoramic window, the city moved with its usual noise and chaos, but in here? Silence. Heavy, suffocating, and sharp as a held breath.
Julian had dragged him out of the penthouse early, saying nothing except, “You’re coming with me to the office.” And now Eli sat watching him work… no, watching him command.
Julian stood behind his desk, straight spine, sleeves rolled to the elbow, every line of him crisp and lethal. Papers, folders, tablets… he moved through them with too much seriousness.
Eli shifted, uncomfortable under the weight of Julian’s silence.
He hadn’t said a word to Eli since they arrived.
Not a glance. Not a question. Just that constant awareness clarifying that Julian knew exactly where Eli was without having to look.
Eli didn’t dare speak first.
He already knew Julian was colder today. Tighter. Suspicious in a way he couldn’t hide, like every quiet breath Eli took was somehow suspicious.
Because Eli had been wandering. Because Eli had been listening. Because Eli had heard too damn much.
Julian signed a document, set down his pen, and finally exhaled.
Without lifting his eyes:
“Stop fidgeting.”
Eli froze instantly. “I’m not—”
Julian’s gaze flicked up, cutting him off.
Right. He was.
“I just… don’t feel that good,” Eli mumbled.
Julian’s brows lowered a fraction, the closest thing he gave to concern these days. He pushed back from his desk, adjusting his cuffs.
“I have a boardroom meeting. You’re coming.”
Eli’s stomach knotted. Another room full of dangerous men, the quiet respect they showed Julian, the intimidation, the digits of money being thrown around… it all made him dizzy.
“Julian,” he tried, swallowing, “I really don’t feel well. I can stay here. I won’t move. I’ll just… lie down.”
Julian stared at him for a long, tense moment.
Not believing him. But not calling him a liar either.
Finally, he nodded once. “Stay here. Don’t leave this office.”
Eli nodded quickly. “I won’t.”
Julian stepped closer. Too close. He took Eli’s chin between his fingers, lifting it with cold precision, eyes scanning his face as if looking for proof; for guilt, maybe, or weakness, or lies.
“You look pale.”
His thumb brushed Eli’s cheekbone.
Eli’s pulse jumped.
Julian’s voice lowered. “Don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone.”
And with that subtle warning disguised as care, he left the office.
The moment the door shut, Eli exhaled shakily and slumped back onto the couch.
But the relief lasted exactly four seconds.
Because the door clicked again.
And someone walked in.
Someone who did not knock.
“Wow,” a familiar voice drawled. “Left alone in the dragon’s den.”
Eli sat bolt upright. “Anton?”
Anton Dane stood framed in the doorway like he owned the place. No guards had stopped him, of course they hadn’t. They all knew him, feared him, owed him or something. Anton had that kind of power: the smiling kind, the polite kind, the kind that felt safe right up until he wanted you dead.
He closed the door behind him.
Eli stiffened.
“What do you want?” Eli asked, voice too tight.
Anton’s smile widened. “Just came to check on you. I heard you weren’t feeling well.”
Eli swallowed. “I’m fine.”
“Oh, I can see that,” Anton said as he crossed the room, hands in his pockets, casual, effortless. “But you look like someone who hasn't been getting enough sleep.”
Anton stopped at the foot of the couch, tilting his head, eyes gleaming with the kind of sharp amusement that made Eli’s stomach twist.
“Tell me,” Anton murmured, “did you sleep at all after… listening so carefully?”
Eli’s breath caught.
His mouth went dry.
Anton saw him that night?
He knew.
“N–No,” Eli forced out. “I wasn’t listening. I just—”
“Eli.” Anton laughed softly. “You don’t lie well. It’s adorable, honestly.”
He sat on the edge of the table across from Eli, leaning forward slightly. Not threatening. But intense. Too intense.
Eli tried to look anywhere except at him.
Anton noticed.
“You’re scared of me,” he said, amused. “But not for the reason you should be.”
That didn’t help.
At all.
Anton’s voice dropped a level, smoother than silk.
“You should be scared because you’re in the middle of a fight between two very dangerous men.”
Eli’s pulse hammered.
“And because you heard things last night that neither of them wanted you to hear.”
Eli kept silent.
“Relax,” Anton said gently. “I’m not going to hurt you. I'm not among the dangerous men; that's Julian and your father.”
That, somehow, scared Eli more.
Anton leaned in even closer, lowering his voice.
“You know… I liked you before Julian even noticed you. Back when you were just a pretty thing walking around with your headphones, pretending the world wasn’t hunting you. I always wondered how long it would take before someone caught you.”
Eli shivered.
“Did Julian ever tell you that?” Anton whispered. “That he wasn’t the only one watching you?”
Eli’s breath hitched. “Stop.”
Anton smiled. “But you want the truth, don’t you? That's why you were eavesdropping that night. You want to know who’s lying. Who’s using you. Who’s protecting you. Who’s destroying you.”
Eli clenched his hands, fighting the urge to cry, or yell, or run.
Anton’s gaze softened a little. “You’re much more interesting up close, you know.”
Before Eli could respond—
The door opened, and Julian stepped inside.
His expression didn’t change.
Not at first.
But Eli saw the exact second Julian processed the scene: Anton leaning too close, Eli stiff and breathless, the air thick with something unspoken.
Julian didn’t bother to move fast or shout.
He simply closed the door with a soft click, his jaw tightening so sharply the muscle there twitched.
“Anton,” Julian said calmly. Too calmly. “You’re in my office.”
Anton stood, spreading his hands in a slow shrug. “Just checking on the boy. You left him all alone. You know how sensitive he is.”
Julian’s eyes flicked to Eli, his gaze sharp and possessive.
“Come here,” Julian said.
Two words that left no room for hesitation.
Eli stood on trembling legs and crossed the room.
Julian didn’t touch him gently.
He grabbed Eli’s wrist and pulled him to his side with quiet force, fingers digging just a bit too hard.
Julian turned his head slightly.
“What were you talking about?”
Eli opened his mouth, but Anton answered first.
“Nothing dangerous,” he said lightly. “Just… pleasantries.”
Julian’s grip on Eli tightened.
Anton grinned. “Oh, don’t be jealous. I’m not trying to steal your husband.”
Julian’s expression didn’t shift, but the temperature in the room dropped.
“Leave,” Julian said.
Anton held Julian’s stare for one long, electric moment; testing him, teasing him, pushing just far enough to taste danger but not choke on it.
Then he winked at Eli.
“Take care, sweetheart.”
Julian almost snapped.
Anton walked out without another word.
The door closed.
Eli swallowed hard. “Julian—”
Julian turned to him slowly, voice low, rough around the edges.
“Eli.”
His hand came up, cupping the back of Eli’s neck firm, and unyielding. “You will stay where I put you. You will not speak to him again unless I’m present.”
“I didn’t—he walked in, I—”
“I don’t care.”
Julian stepped closer, jaw clenched. “You’re mine. You don’t let other men stand that close to you.”
Eli’s breath trembled. “I wasn’t—”
Julian cut him off.
“We’re making a public appearance tonight.”
Eli blinked. “What?”
Julian leaned in, voice brushing Eli’s ear like a threat disguised as a kiss.
“You’re married to me,” he said. “Act like it.”
Eli’s throat dried.
Julian’s grip on his wrist loosened just slightly, but didn’t let go.
“We’re going to remind the world exactly who you belong to.”
And with that, the world closed in a little more.