CHAPTER 26: MAFIA OR A PSYCHO?

Elias’s heart pounded, his face flushed as Viktor’s low, teasing voice sent shivers down his spine. The cedar scent was overwhelming, wrapping around him, making his body tingle in ways he couldn’t control.

Viktor’s grip on his wrist was firm, his thumb brushing lightly against Elias’s pulse, sparking heat that made his breath hitch. The twins slept soundly beside them, oblivious to the tension crackling in the air.

"Curious about what? I... I didn’t mean to," Elias stammered, his voice barely a whisper, his eyes darting away from Viktor’s intense gaze. "I thought it was... something else."

Viktor chuckled, the sound deep and dangerous, sending another jolt through Elias’s body.

"Something else?" he murmured, leaning closer, his lips grazing Elias’s ear. "You thought wrong. But I don’t mind." His voice dropped lower, almost a growl. "You liked it, didn’t you?"

Elias’s cheeks burned, his body betraying him as heat pooled in his core, his pants tightening uncomfortably. He wanted to run, to hide, but Viktor’s closeness, his scent, his voice... it pinned him in place.

"Let go of me," he whispered, his voice trembling, barely audible.

Viktor’s eyes glinted in the dim light, his thumb brushing Elias’s wrist again, slower this time, deliberate.

"Not yet," he said, his voice soft but firm. He shifted closer, his chest brushing against Elias’s back, the warmth of his body making Elias’s skin prickle. "You’re shaking, Elias. Nervous? Or something else?"

Elias’s breath caught, his mind screaming to pull away, but his body leaned into Viktor’s touch, craving it despite his panic.

"Please... stop," he mumbled, his voice weak. "The kids are right here."

Viktor’s lips curved into a smirk, his hand sliding up Elias’s arm, leaving a trail of heat.

"It’s alright. They’re asleep," he whispered, his breath hot against Elias’s neck. "And you’re not pushing me away which is a sign for me to go on."

Elias’s heart raced, his body tingling as Viktor’s fingers grazed his shoulder, then his collarbone, dangerously close to the sensitive spot where the coffee had burned him.

"I’m not... I’m not doing this," Elias said, his voice cracking. He summoned every ounce of willpower and shoved Viktor back, scrambling off the bed, his legs shaky.

Viktor sat up, his eyes dark, watching Elias like a predator.

"Running again?" he asked, his voice low, almost amused.

Elias didn’t answer, bolting for the bathroom and slamming the door behind him. He leaned against the sink, his chest heaving, his hands trembling as he turned on the faucet. Cold water splashed his face, but it did nothing to cool the heat coursing through him. He tugged at his sweatshirt, lifting it to scrub at the spots Viktor had touched... his arm, his shoulder, his neck... but every brush of his own fingers made him flinch, his skin too sensitive, his pants still tight.

’What’s wrong with me?’ he thought, his face burning as he caught his reflection in the mirror. His cheeks were red, his lips swollen from biting them, and his eyes wide with panic.

He froze, hearing the bathroom door creak open. Viktor stepped inside, locking it behind him, his grey eyes fixed on Elias. Blood smudged his cheek and shirt, a reminder of whatever "business" had kept him earlier.

Elias’s heart pounded, his hands fumbling to cover the bulge in his pants as he stepped back, hitting the sink.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice shaky.

Viktor’s gaze flicked to Elias’s hands, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"You ran off," he said, stepping closer. "Thought I’d check on you. Besides, this is my bathroom and I can use it anytime I want, can’t I?"

Elias’s eyes darted to the locked door.

"If you wish to use it, ’Master’, give me the key," he said, his voice tight. "I want to leave."

Viktor shrugged, unbuttoning his blood-stained shirt and tossing it into a trash can. "The door stays locked until I’m done," he said, kicking off his shoes and pulling off his belt. Elias turned away, his face burning, refusing to look as Viktor stripped. "I need a shower," Viktor added, his voice casual, as if this was normal.

Elias kept his eyes on the floor, his heart racing. "Just... hurry the fuck up," he mumbled, his voice barely audible.

The shower hissed to life, filling the massive bathroom with steam. The space was huge... twice the size of Elias’s room... with a large tub, a glass-walled shower, and a toilet tucked in the corner.

Elias pressed himself against the sink, trying to ignore the soft moan of satisfaction Viktor let out as the hot water hit him. The cedar scent mixed with the steam, making Elias’s head spin, his body reacting despite his efforts to stay calm.

’Should I leave? But I can’t. I don’t want to do anything that’ll hinder me from not getting paid,’ he thought, but his feet wouldn’t move. He glanced at the shower, the steam obscuring most of Viktor’s body, but the faint outline was enough to make his breath catch.

He twisted his foot against the tile, his mind racing.

’Could I... just once?’ The thought of touching himself, relieving the tension, flashed through his mind, but he shook it off, horrified. ’Wait! Not here. Not with him right there. But it hurts like crazy!’

He bit his lip, his hands clenching the sink, trying to focus on anything else.

Viktor’s voice cut through the steam, low and teasing.

"You’re awfully quiet, Elias. Are you thinking about something?"

Elias flinched, his face burning. "No," he said quickly, his voice sharp. "Just... waiting for you to finish."

Viktor chuckled, the sound echoing in the tiled room. "Take your time," he said. "I’m not rushing."

Elias groaned under his breath, his body still tingling, his mind a mess. The shower finally shut off, and Viktor stepped out, a towel wrapped around his waist, his hair dripping. Elias kept his eyes on the floor, refusing to look.

"Can I go now?" he asked, his voice tight.

Viktor stepped closer, his scent stronger now, clean but still cedar-sharp. "You’re avoiding me," he said, his voice low. "Why?"

"I’m not doing any of that sir," Elias lied, his hands shaking. "I just... need to check on the twins."

"They’re fine," Viktor said, leaning against the counter, too close. "You’re the one who’s not."

Elias’s heart raced, his eyes flicking to the door. "K..Key," he said, holding out his hand.

Viktor smirked, pulling the key from his pocket but holding it out of reach. "Not yet," he said. "We’re not done talking."

Elias’s stomach dropped, his body still reacting to Viktor’s presence. "There’s nothing to talk about, Master. Please, just let me go," he said, his voice shaking.

Viktor’s eyes darkened, his voice dropping lower. "I wish I could but..." he said, stepping closer. "I’m afraid I can’t. I must have gotten a bit too attached to you. Maybe it’s you or... Maybe it’s this sweet scent that sticks to your body,"

Elias froze, his breath catching.

’Does he know anything? Has he found out? Should I ask for my pay before he throws me out of here?’

"I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about, Master. What... sweet scent?"

Viktor’s jaw tightened, his eyes still locked on Elias. He leaned forward, his cold nose pressing on Elias’s shoulder as he sniffed in.

"I can perceive it again even though it’s faint," he said. Elias wished to push him but he couldn’t. It would be the same as admitting that he really has a sweet scent.

But as he remained quiet, Viktor’s hand started to ravage his skin, sliding under his shirt and cupping his small chest. Elias flinched as the cold palm brushed his hard nipples.

’Why the hell am I reacting too much? This man isn’t... wait! Fuck! No! Why is he touching there?’

Elias immediately shoved Viktor away from his body as soon as his hand touched his pants. Viktor stared at his palm.

"I swore I touched something hard. So, I’m not the only one getting a reaction, Elias. Did you purposely wear something light to seduce me? Well, it’s working,"

Before Viktor could take a step closer, Elias stretched his hand and punched Viktor right in the face. Viktor stumbled back. His cheek sure did hurt as hell, but not as much as Elias’ hand hurt.

"Don’t... Don’t fucking touch me!" He gritted his teeth as he gnashed his teeth. "I don’t care if you’re a mafia or if you put a fucking gun to my head but I swear... If you lay a hand on me again, I’ll... I’ll bite your... thing off!"

He couldn’t shout the loud part as he grabbed the key from Viktor and stormed out.

Viktor leaned against the sink, his heart pounding from what had just happened. It was his first time getting punched, by a man. He didn’t know why... maybe because he was already hard since he lay close to Elias, but he got even harder after getting hit.

"Have I become a psychopath? A sex-driven kind?"