All Chapters of BURNING EMPIRE: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Matteo wiped down the bar counter, pretending to be focused. But really, he was watching everything — the dancers, the guests, the corners where shadows moved on their own.And most of all?He was listening for footsteps.Dominic hadn’t been seen since last night.And that was more dangerous than seeing him.---“Yo,” Luis muttered, sliding beside him. “You hear what they're saying?”Matteo raised an eyebrow. “Who?”“The staff. People think you're…” Luis glanced around, lowered his voice, “…Dominic’s new favorite.”Matteo blinked. “I’m what?”“You didn’t hear it from me,” Luis said quickly. “But ever since he stopped that drunk guy? And then last night, when he asked for you by name?”Matteo groaned. “I mopped a hallway. That doesn’t make me his—whatever.”“Dude.” Luis leaned closer, eyes wide. “He’s never done that before. Not for anyone.”“I don’t want that kind of attention.”“Too late. It’s already on you.”Matteo didn’t reply. Because even if he denied it out loud… something insi

The building was cracked and crooked — just like always. But for Matteo, it was home.He climbed the narrow staircase, skipping the broken third step out of habit. The hallway smelled like oil and dust and someone’s burnt dinner. Same as yesterday. Same as last year.When he reached the door, he knocked twice.Then once.Then twice again.It was their code.A moment later, the lock clicked. The door opened slowly.And Leo was there — pale, small, his curls sticking up in every direction like he’d just woken from a nap. He was wearing Matteo’s old hoodie, the sleeves bunched around his skinny arms.“Matty!” Leo’s eyes lit up as he threw his arms around him.Matteo crouched to hug him back tightly, breathing in the faint smell of soap and peppermint candy.“Missed you, kid.”“I know,” Leo said. “Work’s been crazy.”Leo pulled back and looked up at him. “Did you get fired already?”Matteo laughed, ruffling his hair. “Not yet.”---They sat together on the small couch, sharing instant noo

Matteo didn’t sleep.He lay on the creaky couch in the staff room of the club, eyes wide open, arms behind his head, staring at the peeling ceiling. The events of the night played over and over — the man in the black car, the subtle warning in Dominic’s eyes, Leo’s sleepy voice saying “You don’t have to protect me all the time.”Too late, kid. I already swore I would.The staff room door creaked, and Matteo sat up sharply, instinct alive in his chest like a sparked wire.It was Luis.“Whoa,” Luis said, holding up a hand. “Easy. It’s just me.”Matteo relaxed slightly. “Don’t sneak up on people like that.”Luis chuckled, dropping a rolled towel on the table. “Boss asked for you.”Matteo blinked. “Now?”“Yeah. He’s upstairs. Didn’t say why. Just said, ‘Bring the mop.’” Luis grinned. “Guess you made an impression.”Matteo stood up, stretching his sore back. He hadn’t even changed out of yesterday’s clothes. “Yeah. An impression or a mistake.”He ran his hands through his hair, took a brea

The night had barely fallen, but the Pendragon estate was already alive with tension. Vehicles rolled into the courtyard one after another, black SUVs and bikes glinting under the security lights. Matteo stood near the garage, dressed in all black, hood down, trying not to fidget. Dominic had summoned him without warning. Lieutenant was the one who'd delivered the message, face grim. No jokes. No teasing.Matteo had only asked, "Is it a job?"Lieutenant's answer had been simple: "A mission. And you're going with him."Dominic.Matteo swallowed hard, eyes scanning the compound for a glimpse of the man who had somehow become both his danger and his distraction. For days now, things had shifted. The tension between them was no longer sharp—it was warm, humming, slow-burning like the lit end of a cigarette. Unspoken, but undeniable.When Dominic appeared, Matteo felt it in his chest first.He was in combat gear. Not a wrinkle in sight. His sharp jaw was clenched, dark eyes unreadable. He

The rain came in light taps, gentle against the windowpane, like someone knocking politely on the world. Matteo sat at the edge of the bed, watching droplets slide down the cracked glass. Behind him, Leo snored softly, bundled beneath the only thick blanket they had.Matteo’s burner phone sat silent in his hand.He’d turned it off the night before and left it that way. A choice that tasted like rebellion. Or maybe it was just the beginning of regret.But he didn’t turn it on.Not yet.Not after what Dominic had said.Take care of your brother.Matteo rubbed his chest like the words had carved something there. That voice—always low, always steady—still echoed inside him like a warning and a promise all at once.Dominic knew about Leo. And he hadn't used that knowledge against him.Not yet.But would he?Would he eventually?Matteo didn’t know.And that was exactly why his stomach kept twisting.---By late morning, a knock came at the door. Three short raps.Jax.Matteo opened it cauti