CHAPTER 37: GOOD LUCK FINDING NANNY! 2

Back at the hotel, Luka stood awkwardly beside Clara, a glass of champagne in his hand. The toast had gone ahead without Viktor, with Clara delivering it alone, her voice bright but strained.

She’d spoken of love and partnership, her words dripping with practised charm, but the guests had noticed Viktor’s absence. Whispers spread like wildfire, and Clara’s smile grew tighter with every passing minute.

As the applause died down, she turned to Luka, her eyes blazing.

"Where the hell is Viktor?" she hissed, keeping her voice low so the nearby guests wouldn’t hear. "He left me standing here like an idiot!"

Luka took a sip of champagne, trying to stay calm. "He had to handle something urgent."

Clara’s hands clenched around her glass.

"Urgent? What’s more urgent than our engagement? Tell me where he went, Luka!"

Before Luka could respond, the twins pushed forward, their faces red with anger.

"Dad went to find our nanny!" Dante shouted, loud enough for nearby guests to turn and stare.

Dario nodded, his voice fierce.

"Yeah, because Nanny’s more important than you!"

Clara’s face paled, her grip on her glass so tight it looked like it might shatter.

"What?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "He left... for the nanny?"

Luka placed a hand on each twin’s shoulder, trying to steer them away.

"Okay, guys, let’s calm down—"

"No!" Clara snapped, her voice rising. "He left a very important event for a cheap nanny?" She clenched her dress, her nails digging into the fabric. She took a deep breath, forcing a smile as guests glanced her way, then leaned closer to Luka, her voice low and venomous. "I hope that Nanny comes back safely... so I can kill him with my own hands."

Luka’s eyes widened, but he kept his tone light.

"Clara, relax. It’s not like that. Elias is important to the kids. Viktor’s just making sure he’s okay."

Clara’s smile was icy. "He’d better be. Because if I find out there’s anything more to this, my father will hear about it, and this engagement is over."

Luka nodded, guiding the twins away before Clara could say more. He knelt in front of them, his voice soft.

"Listen, your dad’s going to find Elias. He’ll bring him back. You two just stay with me, okay?"

Dario wiped his eyes, his voice small. "Promise?"

"Promise," Luka said, ruffling his hair. He stood, glancing at Clara, who was now speaking to her assistant, her gestures sharp and angry. Luka sighed, muttering to himself.

"Viktor, you owe me big for this."

.

.

Meanwhile, Elias sat in the passenger seat of Jace’s car, the city lights blurring past as they drove. His hands were folded tightly in his lap, his heart still racing from the rush of leaving the hotel. He glanced at Jace, who was focused on the road, his expression calm but curious.

"Are you okay over there?" Jace asked, breaking the silence. "You look like you’re about to jump out of the car."

Elias forced a small smile. "I’m fine. Just... nervous. Did Gerald send the money yet?"

Jace shrugged.

"Well, you won’t be able to know. You left your phone behind, so you won’t know until you check a bank or something. But don’t worry, you’re safe now."

Elias nodded, his fingers tightening around his bag.

"Thanks, Jace. For everything. For helping me get out... and for keeping Lila safe."

Jace’s smile widened, his eyes flicking toward Elias.

"No problem. I’m just glad you trusted me enough to ask for help. But... can I ask something?"

Elias tensed, sensing the shift in Jace’s tone. "What?"

"Why are you running from the Dragos? Did you do something wrong?" Jace’s voice was casual, but his eyes were sharp, probing.

Elias hesitated, his mind racing. He has no idea if he should tell Jace that he’s an omega.

Of course, Jace already knew the truth... he’d figured out Elias was an omega, even if Elias hadn’t said it outright. He took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully.

"It’s for my safety. And Lila’s. If Viktor finds out I lied about being a Beta to get the nanny job, he’d... he’d be furious. Everyone says he hates omegas. If something happens to me, there’s no one to take care of Lila."

Jace nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. "So that’s it. You’re scared he’ll hurt you because of what you are."

Elias looked out the window, his voice quiet.

"Yeah. I can’t risk it. Lila’s all I have."

Jace’s hands tightened on the wheel, a small smile tugging at his lips. He was secretly thrilled that Elias had confirmed his omega status, even indirectly. It meant Elias trusted him, at least a little.

"What about school?" Jace asked, changing the subject. "Viktor knows you go to university. What if he comes looking for you there?"

Elias’s jaw tightened.

"He’ll give up eventually. Once he’s married to Clara, he’ll have other things to worry about. I’ll go back to school when it’s safe."

Jace nodded, his smile softening. "Fair enough. You and Lila can stay at my place as long as you need. I’ll keep you both safe."

Elias’s chest warmed, a mix of gratitude and guilt washing over him.

"Thanks, Jace. Really."

They pulled up to the house, a huge estate on the edge of the city, far from the Drago estate’s reach. Jace parked, turning to Elias.

"Go see your sister. I’ll be right behind you."

Elias nodded, grabbed his bag and stepped out. He was about to head inside when Jace’s phone rang. Jace glanced at the screen, his face paling.

"Fuck! It’s Ethan," he muttered, answering it. "Hey, what’s up?"

Elias couldn’t hear the other side, but Jace’s expression shifted to panic.

"Yeah, I know, I forgot... look, I’m coming back to the venue now. Just stall, okay?" He hung up, turning to Elias. "I forgot about my brother. He’s at the party, and he’s gonna kill me if I don’t show up. Go see Lila. I’ll be back later."

Elias nodded, confused but relieved to have a moment alone. "Okay. Be careful."

Jace flashed a grin, hopping back into the car and speeding off. Elias took a deep breath, clutching his bag as he walked into the house. He followed the familiar path to the guest room where Lila was staying. The house was quiet, the lights dim, and the air smelled faintly of lavender and antiseptic.

He pushed open the door and saw her lying in bed, her small frame covered with a soft blanket. No oxygen mask covered her face, and her breathing was steady. Relief flooded through him... she was getting better.

Elias sat beside her, placing a hand on his chest as he watched her sleep.

"You’re gonna be okay, Lila," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I’m here now." He leaned his head against the bed, exhaustion catching up with him.

But then, a sharp voice cut through the silence. "Who are you?"

Elias’s head snapped up, his heart lurching. A woman stood in the doorway, dressed in a lavish gown that shimmered under the dim light, her arms crossed. Beside her was an older man, his suit crisp and his expression stern. Elias stood quickly, his bag slipping to the floor. He recognised the resemblance to Jace immediately... these were his parents.

" I-I’m Elias," he stammered, his mind racing. "Jace’s friend. I’m here to see my sister, Lila."

The woman’s eyes narrowed, her gaze flicking to Lila’s sleeping form. "Your sister? Jace didn’t mention anything about a guest."

The man stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "Why are you here, boy? This isn’t your home."

Elias’s throat tightened, his hands clenching at his sides. He’d expected Jace to have told his parents about Lila, but clearly, he hadn’t.

’What the hell do I say?’ His mind scrambled for an answer.