CHAPTER 12: SEE YOU TONIGHT!

Elias’s heart pounded as Luka’s grin widened, his grey eyes glinting with mischief. The man knew... knew Elias was an omega, knew about what happened at the alley yesterday... he knew too much. Elias’s hands trembled, his silent plea screaming in his wide eyes:

’Don’t say it.’

If Luka spilt his secret in front of Viktor, his job would be gone, and he wouldn’t be able to pay Lila’s hospital bills. Everything would be over for him. He would have to go back to his part-time job.

Luka’s grin softened, noticing the pleading look on Elias’s face, and he changed tack.

"Aren’t you the... kids’ nanny?" he asked, his tone playful but sharp.

Elias exhaled, his shoulders sagging with relief. "Yeah," he said, his voice small. "I’m Elias Kane. Nice to meet you, sir." He bowed slightly, avoiding Luka’s gaze.

Luka stepped closer, extending a hand. "Luka Drago," he said, shaking Elias’s hand firmly, his grip lingering. "You’re doing a hell of a job with these troublemakers."

Elias’s face heated, and he pulled his hand back, shyly looking away. Viktor’s eyes narrowed, his arms still crossed, his jaw tight. He didn’t like Luka’s hand on Elias... didn’t like the grin on his brother’s face... the closeness. Of course, it’s not jealousy, he told himself. It’s just... something that he doesn’t like.

"Hey!" Dante pouted, crossing his arms. "We’re not troublemakers!"

"Yeah," Dario added, glaring. "We’re handsome angels, Uncle Luka."

Luka laughed, ruffling their hair. "Sure, handsome angels with horns." He winked at Elias, who busied himself adjusting Dario’s jacket to avoid the attention.

The twins tugged at Luka’s sleeves. "Would you be staying with us, Uncle Luka?" Dante asked, his eyes bright.

"Please! Say yes!" Dario said, bouncing. "It’s been forever!"

Luka glanced at Viktor, then back at the twins. "Your dad’s not a fan of me crashing here," he said, smirking. "But if he agrees, I don’t mind sticking around for two weeks."

Viktor’s frown deepened. "Two weeks?" he asked, his voice sharp. "Why so long?"

Luka shrugged, his grin was easy. "Gotta be here for your big engagement, right? Plus, I’m working on an investigation. I need to wrap it up, before heading back,"

Viktor’s eyes darkened. "What investigation?"

Luka waved a hand. "We’ll talk later." He turned to the twins, who were still pleading. "Fine, I’ll stay. But only ’cause you two are begging."

The twins cheered, hugging Luka’s legs. Viktor sighed, unable to say no to his kids. "Fine," he muttered. "But don’t cause trouble." He turned to Elias, his voice firm. "Take them inside."

Elias nodded, his heart still racing. "Yes, Master," he said, ushering Dante and Dario past the brothers. Luka’s gaze followed him, and Elias felt it like a weight on his back.

Viktor noticed, his jaw tightening. "You eyeing my nanny?" he asked Luka, his tone low.

"Your nanny?" Luka smirked, leaning closer. "What if I am? He’s cute. You got a problem with that?"

Viktor’s eyes narrowed. "Keep your eyes off him. He’s here for my kids, not you."

Luka laughed, unbothered. "You can’t stop me, Vik. You don’t do men, but I do." He leaned in, his voice teasing. "Unless... you’re interested in him too?"

Viktor’s face hardened. "Do what you want, but leave my kids out of it."

Luka clapped his hands, grinning. "Deal." He paused, his tone shifting. "About that investigation... someone’s kidnapping omegas in our territory."

Viktor’s fists clenched. "In my territory? How’s that happening under my nose?"

Luka raised a hand, calming him. "I’m handling it. Don’t worry. I’ll get to the bottom of it."

Viktor nodded, but his eyes were stormy. Elias, already halfway to the house with the twins, caught the word "omegas" and froze, his heart skipping.

’Were those men from the alley part of this?’ He shook his head, hurrying the twins inside before his panic showed.

.

In the twins’ room, Elias helped them out of their school uniforms, folding the clothes neatly. The room was a mess from their morning chaos... toys scattered, a lamp tipped over from their earlier tantrum about socks. Dante and Dario sat at their desks, scribbling through homework, their voices loud as they chatted about Luka.

"Uncle Luka’s so cool," Dante said, doodling in his notebook. "He could totally help us get rid of Clara."

"Nah," Dario said, shaking his head. "He won’t. Dad’s too stubborn."

"He’d do it," Dante argued. "Uncle Luka’s a playboy, right? He breaks hearts left and right. He could steal Clara easily and separate her from Daddy. Then, he can break her heart too,"

Elias’s ears burned. The twins were way too young for this kind of talk. "Hey," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "Enough adult stuff. Tell me about Uncle Luka. What’s he like?"

Dario grinned, tossing a pencil. "He’s strong, like Dad, but funnier. Younger, too."

"Yeah," Dante said. "He’s got tattoos like Dad’s, but cooler. And he’s always got girls around."

Elias nodded, pretending to care, but his mind was on Luka’s knowledge of his omega secret. If Luka told Viktor about the alley, about his scent, he was done. He kept tidying the dirty room, as the twins rambled on. Soon, they yawned, curling up for an evening nap, still in their casual clothes.

.

.

Elias sighed as relief washed over him and headed to his room to work on his own assignments. He didn’t want to get distracted by the new guest at the estate. He was halfway through a math problem when the twins burst in, their eyes sleepy but mischievous.

"Dinner, nanny!" Dario said, tugging his arm.

"Yeah," Dante added. "We’re starving."

Elias laughed, setting his notebook aside. "Okay, okay. I think you two should go wash your faces first."

"No way," Dario said, crossing his arms. "We’re fine."

Elias raised a brow, smirking. "You wanna eat with drool on your chin? Sure, no problem."

The twins groaned, racing to their bathroom. Elias chuckled, but a voice behind him made him jump.

"You’re really good with them," Luka said, leaning against the doorframe, his dark shirt showing off tattoos that mirrored Viktor’s.

Elias’s heart raced, his hands trembling. Luka stepped closer, pinning him against the door with a casual lean, his body too close.

"What’re you doing?" Elias whispered, his voice shaky.

Luka leaned in, sniffing near Elias’s neck. "Your scent’s faint today," he said, his voice low. "Not like last night. That vanilla... damn."

Elias pushed him back, his hand on Luka’s chest. "Stop it," he said, his voice sharp. "I have no idea about what you’re talking about."

Luka smirked, unfazed. "Sure you don’t. Why are you hiding it, omega? Scared of Vik?"

Elias’s breath hitched, his face pale. "I’m not an omega," he lied, his voice breaking. "Please, don’t say anything to Master,"

Luka’s grin widened. "Relax. I’m not telling... yet." He stepped closer, his voice a whisper. "But you might have to beg me better than that. I’ll swing by your room later tonight. Make sure to keep your door unlocked,"

Elias grabbed Luka’s shirt, desperate. "You can’t come into my room. Please... I..."

"I can’t come? Do you want me to tell Vik everything?"

Elias remained silent and Luka took his silence for a no.

Luka chuckled, pulling free. "Wait for me... tonight." He walked off, leaving Elias trembling in anger and a bit of fear.

Elias hurried to the kitchen, his mind spinning. He threw together a quick dinner... chicken, rice, and veggies... his hands unsteady as he chopped. To his surprise, Viktor and Luka joined the twins at the table, the room filling with chatter. Elias served the food, avoiding Luka’s gaze.

"This is good," Luka said, taking a bite. "You’re a keeper, Elias."

The twins grinned. "Told you he’s the best nanny," Dante said, shovelling rice.

"Yeah," Dario added, smirking at Luka. "You like him, Uncle Luka?"

Luka glanced at Elias, who stared at his plate, his face red. "Who knows?" Luka said, grinning. "He’s pretty cute."

Elias’s heart skipped, and he kept his eyes down. The twins laughed, but Viktor stayed silent, his fork paused midair. Luka changed the subject, his tone casual. "So, Vik, how’s the engagement with Clara going?"

Viktor shrugged, his voice flat. "She’s handling it."

Luka smirked. "You don’t seem excited, huh? Bet it’s just that family contract pushing you into it."

Elias froze, his fork, which he was cleaning, clattering against the sink. A contract? Viktor didn’t love Clara?

Relief hit him, and he didn’t know why... maybe for the twins’ sake. Viktor’s eyes flicked to him, noticing the reaction, but he said nothing.

The twins chimed in, whining about Clara, and Luka laughed, steering the conversation to lighter topics. Viktor barely spoke, his gaze lingering on Elias, making his skin prickle. After dinner, Elias cleared the plates, and the twins ran off to play some video games. Luka lingered around Elias, in the name of helping him with the dishes.

"You don’t need to help me with the..."

"Why? I’m being nice, you could just say thanks, Elias," Luka interrupted him, moving close to him.

"I... I don’t need your help," Elias stuttered and Luka leaned forward.

"I never thought you were the shy type. I hope I’ll be seeing more of you, tonight..." Luka whispered to him and Elias froze. Just when he parted his lips to speak, a voice rang out behind him. They both looked back and saw it was Viktor.

"Elias!" He called. "Make sure to report to my room once you put the kids to sleep,"

"What?" He muttered.