The club lights pulsed, bathing everything in shades of red and gold. The bass thumped hard enough to rattle Vinny's ribs, but it wasn't the music that had his pulse spiking.
It was Noah.
Standing there, drink in hand, looking like he belonged in this scene—like he belonged here with him.
Vinny swallowed, keeping his expression neutral. "Didn't think you still hung around places like this."
Noah smirked, tilting his glass toward him. "And I didn't think you still took orders from Tom."
Vinny's jaw tightened. "I don't."
Tom, standing beside him, chuckled. "That's cute."
Vinny resisted the urge to elbow him.
Noah hummed, swirling his drink lazily. "So then… you're here why?"
Vinny glanced at Tom.
Tom gave him a slow, knowing smile. Say it.
Vinny inhaled sharply, looking back at Noah. "Just catching up."
Noah's smirk didn't fade, but something in his eyes shifted—sharp, calculating. "Right. Catching up. With the guy who's been so desperate to keep you away from Matthew."
Tom laughed, but it was edged with something dangerous. "You make it sound like I'm the only one who wants that."
Noah's gaze flicked back to Vinny. "Are you?"
Vinny didn't answer.
Because he wasn't sure what the answer was.
And Noah? Noah saw right through it.
His smirk widened. "Thought so."
Meanwhile – MatthewMatthew checked his phone again.
No messages from Vinny.
He leaned back against the couch, tapping his fingers against the armrest. He wasn't the type to panic, wasn't the type to get clingy.
But something felt off.
Vinny wasn't avoiding him. Not exactly.
But there was hesitation now, a careful distance.
Matthew exhaled through his nose, setting his phone down.
He'd been patient. He'd let Vinny think he had control.
But if Tom and Noah were circling him like vultures, it was time to remind Vinny who he actually belonged to.
With that thought, he grabbed his jacket and headed for the club.
Back at the ClubVinny ran a hand through his hair, irritation flickering beneath his skin. "If you two are done playing mind games, I'm leaving."
Tom's grip on his wrist was firm but not tight. "You sure you want to do that?"
Vinny turned, eyebrow arching. "You gonna stop me?"
Tom smirked. "Nope. Just saying—you know Matthew's not going to let this slide."
Vinny's throat felt dry.
Noah chuckled, tilting his head. "Poor thing probably thinks you're cheating on him right now."
Vinny scoffed. "We're not—"
"Yet," Noah cut in, eyes dark with amusement.
Vinny rolled his eyes. "You're both exhausting."
Tom shrugged. "We're just keeping things fun."
Vinny shook his head, turning to leave—
And froze.
Because standing near the entrance, eyes locked directly on him—
Was Matthew.
His expression was unreadable.
But his eyes?
They were burning.
Vinny swallowed, heartbeat spiking.
Because Matthew never made scenes.
Which meant that if he was here—if he was staring at him like that—
Things were about to get ugly.
Matthew's MoveMatthew didn't storm over.
He didn't shout.
He simply walked, weaving through the crowd, movements slow and deliberate.
By the time he reached Vinny, the tension was thick enough to choke on.
Noah, still smirking, took a sip of his drink. "Well, look who decided to show up."
Matthew ignored him.
His eyes were on Vinny.
"You didn't answer your phone," Matthew murmured, voice deceptively calm.
Vinny exhaled. "Didn't think I needed to."
Matthew hummed, gaze flicking to Tom. "Ah. I see. You got distracted."
Tom chuckled, tilting his head. "What's the matter, Matt? Feeling jealous?"
Matthew smiled.
It was slow, sharp.
Vinny's stomach twisted.
Because Matthew didn't get jealous.
Not in the obvious way.
He got even.
And right now?
Right now, Matthew was looking at Tom like he was nothing more than an inconvenience.
"I don't get jealous," Matthew murmured, stepping closer to Vinny. "I get what's mine."
Vinny's breath caught.
Because Matthew was right there, fingers ghosting over his wrist, touch just firm enough to make a point.
Tom's smirk twitched. "That so?"
Matthew's grip tightened slightly. "Yeah. And I don't recall giving you permission to borrow him."
Vinny's pulse was a drum in his ears.
Because this was dangerous.
Matthew and Tom? They'd been circling each other for weeks.
And if this escalated—
"You wish I needed your permission," Tom murmured.
Matthew didn't blink. "Then prove it."
The challenge hung in the air.
Vinny's breathing felt shallow.
Because if Tom took the bait—if he really pushed—
This wouldn't end well.
Noah, watching the tension build, let out a soft, amused hum. "Well, this is getting interesting."
Vinny forced himself to move, breaking the eye contact between Matthew and Tom. "We're leaving."
Matthew didn't hesitate.
He just nodded, grip on Vinny's wrist tightening just enough.
Tom exhaled sharply. "Careful, Vinny. You might wake up one day and realize he's made all your choices for you."
Vinny glanced back, smirking. "Who says that isn't the plan?"
Tom's expression darkened.
And then, without another word, Vinny let Matthew pull him away.
Back at Matthew's ApartmentThe second the door closed, Vinny turned on him. "You really had to pull that stunt?"
Matthew leaned against the wall, unbothered. "You were the one letting them think they had a chance."
Vinny groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "It wasn't—"
"Wasn't what?" Matthew interrupted.
Vinny clenched his jaw.
Matthew tilted his head, stepping closer. "Wasn't real? Wasn't planned?" His fingers brushed Vinny's waist, slow and possessive. "Or wasn't me?"
Vinny exhaled shakily. "You're so—"
Matthew smirked. "Say it."
Vinny glared at him.
Matthew chuckled, voice low. "That's what I thought."
Vinny hated how easily Matthew got under his skin.
Hated how much he wanted him to.
Because as much as he fought it—
As much as he wanted to pretend he was still in control—
The truth was, Matthew had him exactly where he wanted him.
And Vinny wasn't sure he even wanted to escape.