The car ride back to Matthew's apartment was thick with silence. Not the comfortable kind—no, this was something sharp-edged, something waiting to cut the second either of them spoke.
Vinny leaned back against the passenger seat, arms crossed, refusing to acknowledge the way Matthew's grip on the steering wheel was just a little too tight.
Finally, after what felt like forever, Matthew spoke.
"What were you doing with him?"
Vinny scoffed. "Oh, so we're back to this again?"
Matthew didn't take his eyes off the road. "Answer me."
Vinny tilted his head, lips curling. "Why do you care?"
Matthew's fingers twitched.
"Because he wants you." His voice was low, controlled, but Vinny wasn't stupid. There was something dangerous lurking beneath.
Vinny smirked. "And? You worried he'll take me from you?"
Matthew pulled the car to a sharp stop in front of his building, the sudden movement making Vinny jolt forward.
Then, in an instant, Matthew was leaning over, so close that Vinny could feel his breath against his skin.
"I don't worry about things that belong to me," Matthew murmured, voice smooth but laced with a warning.
Vinny's heart hammered in his chest, but he refused to let it show. Instead, he let his lips curve into something amused, something challenging.
"You talk a big game," he whispered, "but you haven't done anything about it."
Matthew's eyes darkened. For a second, Vinny thought he might actually snap.
But then, Matthew smirked.
"That's because I like watching you squirm first."
Vinny inhaled sharply, pulse skipping.
Matthew pulled back with an infuriating amount of control, stepping out of the car without another word.
Vinny hated him.
And he hated himself more for following.
Inside Matthew's ApartmentThe second they stepped inside, Vinny flopped onto the couch like he owned the place.
Matthew stood by the door, watching him. Always watching.
"You didn't have to drag me here, you know," Vinny muttered, stretching his arms over his head. "I had other plans tonight."
Matthew raised an eyebrow. "Plans to let Noah get his hands on you?"
Vinny rolled his eyes. "I can handle Noah."
Matthew scoffed, stepping closer. "You think that's the point?"
Vinny smirked. "Then what is the point?"
Matthew didn't answer. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled something out.
A phone.
Vinny's phone.
His breath caught as Matthew lazily scrolled through it, his own smirk creeping in as he held the device up.
"Tell me, Vinny," Matthew mused. "How long were you planning on keeping your little conversations with Tom from me?"
Vinny shot up from the couch, eyes narrowing. "Give me that."
Matthew tsked. "Now, now. That's not how this works."
Vinny clenched his jaw. "You went through my phone?"
Matthew shrugged. "Should've kept a better password."
Vinny hated him.
Hated the way Matthew could so effortlessly strip him of control, the way he made Vinny react.
But two could play that game.
Vinny relaxed his stance, tilting his head with a slow, knowing smile. "Jealous?"
Matthew didn't answer. He didn't have to.
Vinny stepped closer, eyes glinting. "Didn't take you for the possessive type."
Matthew let out a soft laugh, shaking his head. "You don't get it, do you?"
Vinny arched an eyebrow.
Matthew's voice dropped, dangerously soft.
"I'm not jealous, Vinny." He leaned in, their noses nearly touching. "I'm reminding you who you actually belong to."
Something electric shot through Vinny's spine.
Because Matthew wasn't joking.
And worse?
Vinny wasn't sure if he wanted to fight it anymore.
Meanwhile – Tom's ApartmentTom sat on his couch, his foot tapping against the floor as he stared at his phone.
No reply from Vinny.
Not even a seen notification.
His jaw tightened as he leaned back, running a hand through his hair.
This wasn't right.
Vinny always answered him. Always.
He exhaled slowly, forcing himself to think.
Vinny was getting in too deep.
Tom had set the whole thing in motion—the game, the manipulation. It was supposed to be fun. A way to mess with Matthew, to make Vinny realize that no matter what, Tom would always be the one by his side.
But now?
Now Vinny was slipping.
And Tom wasn't about to let that happen.
With a flick of his thumb, he pulled up a new message.
To: Noah
We need to talk.
Back at Matthew's ApartmentVinny sat on the edge of Matthew's bed, watching as the other man poured himself a drink.
"You know," Vinny mused, "you can't just keep me here like some pet."
Matthew took a slow sip of his drink, then set the glass down.
"Why not?"
Vinny let out a short laugh. "Because I'd bite."
Matthew smirked. "Good. I like a little fight."
Vinny's stomach twisted.
Because it wasn't just words.
Matthew meant it.
And for the first time in a long time…
Vinny wasn't sure if he wanted to win.