CHAPTER 45: WHAT EXACTLY IS ELIAS?

Viktor didn’t want to get involved with the Voss family more than he had to. They were business partners, sure, but no one owed the other anything.

The Vosses had wealth from real estate and tech, and the Dragos had power from... other sources. Viktor had nothing to threaten them with, and they weren’t the type to back down easily.

He lowered the gun slowly, his eyes still locked on Mrs Voss, who stood there with her husband, her expression calm and defiant. The night air was cool, the estate’s lights casting long shadows across the driveway. Viktor’s men stood behind him, tense but silent, waiting for his lead.

"Fine," Viktor said, his voice low and controlled. "But I’m not stepping inside. I have no time to waste with any of you. So let’s just end this by bringing Elias out now."

Ethan, standing nearby, smiled nervously. "Come on, Mr Drago. Come in. I promise Elias isn’t here, but let’s talk this out."

Viktor glared at him, his patience thin. "I didn’t come here to talk. I only came for Elias. Bring him out, or I’ll find him myself."

Mrs Voss stepped forward, her voice steady. "Mr Drago, if you want to see Elias, you’ll have to come in. We can sort this out inside. Putting a gun down doesn’t mean you have to leave empty-handed."

Viktor hesitated, his jaw tight. He wasn’t used to being talked to like this... people usually jumped when he spoke. Some families weren’t scared of the Dragos and the Vosses were one of them. They weren’t afraid of him and his presence. He was sure it was because it hadn’t been long since he became the new head of the Dragos.

Showing them who the boss is... is what he would have done, but not right now, because he needed Elias. He tucked the gun back into his waistband, his eyes narrowing. "This better not be a trick."

Mr Voss nodded. "No tricks. Please, come in."

Viktor motioned to his men to stay outside and followed the Voss family into the house. The interior was modern and spacious, with clean lines and expensive furniture, but Viktor didn’t care about the decor.

His eyes scanned every corner, every door, as if Elias might jump out at any moment. They led him to the living room, where he refused to sit, standing with his arms crossed.

"Where is he?" Viktor demanded, his voice sharp.

Mrs Voss sat on the couch, her husband beside her. "Elias isn’t in the mansion, Mr Drago."

"What?!" Viktor’s eyes widened, his fist clenching. "What do you mean he’s not here? Where is he?"

Mrs Voss kept her tone calm. "We don’t know. He left earlier. He said he had things to do. We don’t keep tabs on our guests. Besides, he doesn’t stay here with us,"

Viktor’s face darkened, his voice a low growl. "You’re lying. He came here with Jace. I know he’s here. Don’t make me search the place myself."

Ethan shifted uncomfortably.

"Mr Drago, please. We can talk this out. Elias isn’t here, but if you tell us why you’re looking for him, maybe we can help."

Viktor’s eyes narrowed, his patience snapping. "Help? Your son took him. Jace or whatever his name is. Bring him out, or I’ll make this ugly. My patience is thinning out already,"

Mr Voss stood, his voice firm.

"That’s enough. We don’t respond to threats in our home. Jace isn’t here either. He left for a class this evening and he hasn’t returned. If you have a problem with him, take it up with him later."

Viktor’s hand twitched toward his gun. He didn’t mind if he pulled his trigger and killed everyone here. It doesn’t take anything from him but what’s stopping him was the same reason he was here. Elias.

If Elias finds out he killed the people who are trying to keep him safe, he would move even further away from him.

He sighed as he stopped himself from touching his gun. The Vosses were partners, not enemies or rivals. Even if he was going to kill them for disrespecting them, it won’t be now. Not yet.

"Fine, I’ll forget any of this happened," he said, his voice cold. "But if I find out you’re hiding Elias, you’ll regret it. All of you... I’ll torture you so hard that you’ll regret lying to me,"

Mrs Voss met his gaze, her expression unwavering.

"We have nothing to hide, Mr Drago. You’re welcome to leave now."

Viktor glared at them one last time, then turned and stormed out, his men falling in behind him as he got back into his car. The engine roared to life, and he sped off into the night, his mind racing.

’They’re lying,’ he thought. ’But, it’s fine. I own this city. There’s no way Elias would hide from me forever. I’ll find out the truth. I’ll find him... And lock him up so that he won’t be able to see the sun,’

.

Inside, Mrs Voss let out a long breath, her hands shaking slightly. "That was close," she said, her voice low.

Mr Voss placed a hand on her shoulder. "You did well. It’s a good thing he didn’t push further."

Ethan paced the room, his face pale.

"What the hell was that? Viktor Drago, in our house? And he’s after Elias?"

Mrs Voss nodded, her expression grim. "Yes. And we need to make sure he doesn’t find him."

"Mother! Are you sure we should be doing this? This is Viktor Drago that we’re talking about. This man would burn this mansion with us in it and get away with it. We’ve angered him already,"

"But no one got hurt, so he mustn’t be that angry,"

"Mother..."

"Ethan, that’s enough. I know you’re on edge with anything related to the Mafia, but we’re doing this for Elias," Mr Voss added, walking out of the kitchen with a glass of water for his wife.

She took the glass and stopped from the cup. She placed it on the table, and Ethan still couldn’t understand what was going on. He doesn’t understand how that boy from nowhere charmed his parents into doing something he hasn’t seen them do before. Caring for other people. They were supposed to be busy with their business trips but they’ve spent more than two days in the house without leaving, all in the name of caring for an Omega.

"Mother... I should remind you that we’re not related to Elias Kane in any way,"

"I know that," she answered, standing from the chair.

"Then, why are you doing all of this for him? Did he threaten you or something?" Ethan yelled.

"Honey, let’s head to bed, I’m tired," she said and turned to leave.

"And you..." She paused and looked at the security guard who came to inform them about Viktor’s arrival. "Has my son left with Elias?"

"Yes, Madame," he lowered his head. She nodded once and left for her room.

Ethan was still frustrated, but what got him even annoyed was Leo, who was laughing at him.

"It’s not funny," Ethan glared at him.

"Of course, it’s not. But don’t you think all this is happening because that boy is a bit special? Elias Kane. Even his name is special,"

"What are you talking about?" Ethan asked.

"I guess you’ll find out tomorrow," he smirked and slipped his hands into his pocket.

.

.

Meanwhile, Jace pulled up to a small wooded area on the Voss estate grounds, the car’s headlights cutting through the darkness. Elias looked out the window, confusion creasing his brow.

"Where are we? This isn’t the house."

Jace turned off the engine, grabbing his bag. "It’s a safe spot. My family’s guesthouse in the forest. No one knows about it but me and my mother. Viktor won’t think to look here."

Elias’s eyes widened, his heart racing.

"You planned this?"

Jace nodded, leading him to the wooden door.

"I figured something like this might happen. Come on, it’s nicer inside."

They stepped in, and Elias’s surprise grew. The outside was simple wood, but the interior was modern... tiled floors, a huge bed with soft blankets, a small shelf with books, a heater humming in the corner, and electricity lighting the space.

"Wow," Elias said, setting his bag down. "It’s like a cottage."

Jace grinned, tossing his bag on the bed. "Told you. You can rest here. We’ll head to school tomorrow from here."

Elias looked at the bed, his cheeks warming.

"One bed?"

Jace shrugged, his grin widening. "It’s big enough. Don’t worry."

Elias frowned. "Do you have blankets? For a barrier."

Jace’s grin faltered slightly, but he shook his head. "No extra blankets. I got rid of them last clean-up. But there are pillows. We can use those."

Elias hesitated, but nodded, grabbing two pillows and placing them down the middle of the bed. "This’ll work. I’ll change into something comfortable,"

Jace watched as Elias changed... his pale skin, small waist, pink nipples. He slipped off his shirt, pulling on a plain one, then his pants, putting on loose shorts. Jace glanced over, his eyes lingering, but Elias didn’t notice.

’Fuck! It’s not the perfect time to get hard,’ Jace thought, his face heating. He turned away, also stripping down to his boxers and a T-shirt.

"I’m a good sleeper," he said, climbing into his side. "I promise, I won’t cross the line."

They lay down, the pillow barrier between them, and Elias closed his eyes, whispering goodnight.

Jace lay awake, his mind on tomorrow. The matching test.

’If it’s high, he’ll have to accept me.’ He smiled in the dark, his hand brushing the pillow. ’Soon, there’ll be no barrier between you and me, Elias’