The Mafia Prince's obsession (MM)

Elijah

The scent of something sizzling on the stove fills the cozy cabin, mixing with the lingering warmth still buzzing under my skin. Wrapped in one of Dante's shirts, I sit on the counter, watching him move around the kitchen like he does this every day.

His back is on me, muscles flexing under the dim lighting, and I can't help but admire the way he looks so effortlessly in control, even while doing something so simple as cooking.

I swing my legs lazily, a smirk play on my lips. "You sure you know what you're doing?"

He scoffs without turning around. "You wound me, baby."

The name sends a familiar heat curling in my stomach, but I roll my eyes, pretending it doesn't affect me.
"I just never thought I'd ever see the great Dante Markov cook. I thought men like you have people for that."

He stirs the pan, throwing me a side glance. "I do, but I also know how to take care of my own."

The words hit differently, making something stir deep inside me. Take care of my own. I'm not sure if I fall under that category, but the way he looks at me, like I belong to him, like he'd burn the world down for me.

A teasing thought crosses my mind, and I grin. "Well, you better focus, chef, cause I think you're about to burn that."

He pauses mid-motion, narrowing his eyes at me. "Excuse me?"

I tilt my head toward the pan, biting back a laugh. "It's looking a little too crispy there, Markov."

Dante groans dramatically, turning back to me. "Well, that's because you're distracting me."

I let out a fake gasp. "Me? Distracting you? I'm just sitting here, being cute and innocent."

He snorts. "Innocent, my ass."

I throw a dish towel at him, which he catches effortlessly. "Hey! What's that supposed to mean?"

He turns off the stove, plates the food, and smirks as he walks towards me. "It means," he leans in, voice low, " you know exactly what you do to me."

My cheeks heat, but I shake it of quickly, hoping off the counter before he can trap me. "Well, if you're done burning the food, we should eat."

He chuckles, shaking his head, and we settle at the table.

The meal is surprisingly good, and I hum in approval after the first bite. "Okay, mybe, I judged you too soon. This is actually good."

Dante quirks a brow, chewing. "Told you."

We eat, the conversation flowing easily –flirty remarks, soft chuckles, and stolen glances that hold more meaning than either of us dares to acknowledge.

Afterward, with full stomachs and a comfortable haze settling between us, as we make our way to bed. The sheets are cool, a contrast to the warmth of his body as he pulls me into his chest. His arms wrap around me, strong and possessive, like he's afraid I'll slip away in the night.

I sigh against him, tracing lazy circles on his skin. "This is nice."

His voice is low, laced with something softer that I'm used to. "Yeah... it is."

The room is quiet, our breaths syncing, his warmth melting into mine, as we both drift to sleep.

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I step through the front door, exhaustion weighing on me. I think Dante wanted to prove a point this morning when he fucked me to oblivion. My body hurts so much and I can barely walk.

The clothes he bought finally came in handy because I definitely didn't want to repeat the suit I wore yesterday. So I decided to put on some shots and a yellow sweater that hides the hickey in my neck but I don't know for how long.

Before I can take more than a fee steps into the living room, my father's cold voice cuts through the air.

"Should I start locking you up in your room?"

I blink, caught off guard. "What?"

"Well, since freedom has apparently gotten to your head, we might have to remind you who you are" Gabriel says as he leans back in his seat.

I scoff, my patience already wearing thin. " Are you serious right now?"

"Eli," Cole interjects, his tone softer than the others. "Father is worried about you. You've been going around without your driver, and that's not safe."

I turn to him, with disbelief written on my face. "Don't, Cole. Are you seriously taking their side right now?"

"There are no sides, Elijah," father says, voice firm. "We are family. "

I let out a bitter chuckle. "A family?"
I shake my head, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Where was this so-called family when I was shipped off to another country all by myself, huh?" My voice is wavering but I push through. " I'm sorry if all this feels normal to you, but for me it's not. I'm used to being by myself, Father,"

I meet his gaze head-on, my next words coming out raw and unfiltered. "And it's all because of you."

Gabriel snap. "Don't speak to Father like that, Elijah. "

"Like what? Gab?" I shoot back. "I'm only speaking the truth." I look between them, frustration bubbling up. "You all want to act like everything is fine, but it's not. I don't feel like part of this family because you never acted like one."

"Elijah, don't say that," Cole tries again, his brows furrowed. "Everything father did was for you."

"For me?" I let out a dry laugh, my eyes stinging. "By discriminating against me because I like men?"

My father's jaw clenches. "You're crossing the line now, Elijah."

I take a step forward, anger shimmering in my veins. "Oh, I'm crossing the line? That's funny because you're always crossing the line father."

His eyes darken, his tone low and firm. "Elijah —"

"No, father," I cut him off. "You don't get to act like you care now. Not when you spent years pretending I didn't exist just because I didn't fit into your perfect little world."

Gabriel scoffs. " You're being dramatic —"

"Am I?" I snap, my voice laced with how much I'm hurting. "Do you even know what it felt like? Being alone in a foreign country?"

Gab doesn't respond. Cole shifts uncomfortably, looking at me like he wants to say something but can't find the words.

Father exhales, his voice measured. "Everything I did was to protect you."

"Well I didn't feel protected father. I felt abandoned."

A tense silence fills the room.

Father's eyes unreadable, Gab looking frustrated, and Cole just looks torn.

I swallow hard, exhaustion settling into my bones. "I'm tired." My voice is quieter. "I'm gonna go sleep."

No one says anything as I climb the stairs making my way to my room.