Elias stood frozen in the dark kitchen, the cold barrel of a gun pressed against his temple. His heart pounded so hard he thought it might burst, his breath caught in his throat. The apple he'd grabbed from the fridge rolled across the floor, forgotten. A deep voice growled again,
"Who the hell are you? Speak, or I shoot."
Elias's body shook, his mind racing. One wrong word, and he was dead. A sharp, smoky scent... cedar and gunpowder... hit him like a wave, making his knees buckle. It was an alpha's pheromones, stronger than anything he'd ever felt. His body reacted in a way it never had, a warm flush spreading low, and he gasped, horrified, as he realised he was hard. No, no, no, he thought, praying his omega scent didn't betray him.
He turned slowly, hands raised, his teary eyes catching the dim light from the fridge. The man holding the gun froze, his grey eyes narrowing. Of course, it was Viktor Drago, the Mafia Boss, his chiselled face shadowed but unmistakable. He lowered the gun, his expression cold.
"I see... you're the nanny," he said, more to himself than Elias. He didn't apologise, just studied him, his gaze sharp. Elias felt small, exposed, like Viktor could see right through his beta lie. Without a word, Viktor turned and stalked upstairs, his broad shoulders disappearing into the dark.
Elias slid to the floor, his chest heaving. He thought he was going to die. Wiping tears from his eyes, he grabbed the apple and ran to his room, his legs barely holding him.
In the bathroom, he stared at himself in the mirror, his pale face flushed, his body still tingling from Viktor's scent. He'd worked in diners, stores, crowded spaces... Alphas let their pheromones loose all the time, but none had ever affected him like this.
"Get it together," he whispered, turning on the cold shower. The icy water hit his skin, calming the heat, but his mind wouldn't stop thinking about that man with a gun. Viktor was tall, huge, and dangerous. And that scent of his affected him that much... Elias shook his head, forcing the thought away. He was here for Lila, not to lose it over some mafia Alpha.
.
.
The next morning, Elias woke early, his body sore from the tension of last night. He dragged himself to the kitchen, trying to forget last night's scare. The twins needed breakfast, and Viktor was back... Elias had to make an extra plate, even if he wasn't sure the boss would eat it.
He scrambled eggs and toasted bread, his hands steadying as he focused on the task. The mansion was quiet as always. Sometimes, the silence made it not feel like a mansion. Elias wondered if Viktor trusted anyone, let alone a scrawny nanny like him.
Footsteps echoed, and Elias's heart jumped. Dante and Dario burst in, followed by a towering figure... Viktor. Elias froze, finally seeing him in the light. Viktor was drop-dead handsome, his dark hair slicked back, his grey eyes piercing. His black shirt hugged his broad frame, a faint scar on his jaw adding to his menace. Elias snapped his eyes to the counter, his face hot. He'd been staring too long.
"Morning, nanny!" Dario said, hopping onto a stool. "Hope you didn't burn the eggs today."
"Yeah," Dante added, smirking. "Dad's here, so you better not mess up."
Elias forced a smile, setting plates on the dining table. The twins sat, behaving better than usual, their usual chaos toned down in Viktor's presence. Viktor's voice was softer than last night's growl as he ruffled Dante's hair. "You two giving him trouble?"
"Nah," Dante said, grinning. "He's okay. For a nanny."
Viktor's eyes flicked to Elias, who placed a plate in front of him. "This for me?" he asked, his voice low.
Elias nodded, his throat tight.
"Uhm, yes sir. Eggs and toast. I hope it's okay."
Dario piped up, "Our nanny can cook, Dad. It's not bad, right Dante?"
"Yeah," Dante said, shoving eggs in his mouth. "He's better than the last one."
Viktor smiled, a rare warmth in his eyes as he ruffled Dario's hair.
"Good."
He didn't touch his food, just watched the twins eat, his gaze sharp. Elias's heart sank... he'd figured Viktor wouldn't eat anything he made. Mafia bosses probably didn't trust strangers.
The twins finished, and Elias cleared his throat.
"Young Masters, go brush your teeth again."
Dante groaned, sliding off his chair.
"We already did when we woke up!"
"Well, you must brush after breakfast, too," Elias said, trying to sound firm. "It's to keep your teeth strong and healthy."
Dario rolled his eyes.
"Lame. You sound like a dentist." But they shuffled off, grumbling, leaving Elias alone with Viktor.
The air felt heavy. Elias suddenly wished he hadn't sent the kids away. He reached Viktor's untouched plate, his hands nervous.
"I'll take that if you're done..."
Viktor grabbed his wrist, his grip firm but not painful. He leaned in, sniffing Elias's hand, his eyes narrowing.
"You an omega?" he asked, his voice low, dangerous.
"What?" Elias's heart stopped. He shook his head fast. "No, sir. I'm a beta."
"Beta?" Viktor grinned, but it wasn't friendly. "You had better not lie to me. If I find out you're hiding something, I'll eliminate you." His grip tightened for a second, then let go.
Elias nodded, his voice barely audible.
"I'm not lying. I swear,"
Viktor just glared at him and Elias swallowed hard.
He knew that he had to work three months, save enough for Lila, and get out before anyone sniffed him out. He reached for the plate again, and Viktor stopped him.
"I'll eat it," Viktor said, pulling the plate back. "I like my food warm, not hot." He started eating, slow and deliberate, and Elias's chest loosened a little. Maybe he wasn't completely useless.
Viktor swallowed a bite, his eyes on Elias. "Your name's Elias, right? How old are you?"
"Elias Kane," he said, his voice soft. "I'll be twenty in ten days."
Viktor nodded, sliding the empty plate toward him.
"Good food. You have my appreciation," he gently wiped his mouth with a towel. "However, my sons come first. Anything happens to them, I'll take your family, too. Understood?"
Elias's throat tightened, thinking of Lila in her hospital bed; after all, she was the only family he had.
"Yes, sir," he said, nodding.
The twins burst back in, carrying the gifts they'd bought at the mall... a wallet, a watch, a box of cigars.
"Dad, look!" Dante said, shoving the wallet at him. "We got you stuff!"
"Yeah," Dario said, grinning. "You like it?"
Viktor's face softened, and he pulled them into a quick hug.
"You two are trouble, but I love it." Elias watched, his heart aching. They looked like a real family, something he hadn't had since his parents died. He thought of Lila again, alone in the hospital, and turned to the sink, starting the dishes to hide the sting in his eyes.
.
That evening, Elias cooked dinner... chicken and rice, simple but filling. The twins ate quietly, still on their best behaviour with Viktor around. Elias barely touched his food, his mind on his sister. He needed to see her, to tell her he was okay, even if she couldn't hear him.
After clearing the plates, he walked towards Gerald in the hallway while holding a single daisy he'd picked from the garden.
"Gerald," he said, his voice soft, "I need to visit someone urgently. I'll be back soon."
Gerald smiled, seeing the flower in his hand.
"You should take the car. Marco's outside."
"Thank you, but no," Elias said, shaking his head. "I'll walk. It's not far." He didn't want that SUV drawing eyes again. He slipped out before Gerald could argue, the daisy clutched in his hand.
Gerald watched him leave and turned to enter the house. "Youth!"
He reached the living room where the twins were busy with one thing or the other.
"Where's Elias?" Dante asked, his arms crossed.
"Visiting someone," Gerald said, his tone neutral. "Maybe a date."
Dario laughed, holding his stomach.
"A date? Our nanny? He's too weak and lame for that!"
"Yeah," Dante said, smirking. "Bet he's crying to some girl right now."
Viktor, sitting at the table, froze, his jaw tight.
"A date?" he said, his voice low, sharp. "What kind of nanny leaves my kids for a date?"
Gerald hesitated. "I'm sure it's not..."
"Enough," Viktor snapped, standing. "When he gets back, send him to my room. Immediately." He stormed off, his footsteps echoing.
Dante and Dario exchanged a look, their smirks fading. "Oh-oh! Dad's mad," Dario whispered.
Gerald wore a worried look on his face.
"I hope Elias returns as soon as possible,"