The house was silent except for the snow hitting the windows.

Ivan stood in the middle of the living room, a cigarette between his fingers, his men searching the house. He had just finished what he came here to do upstairs. Evan was no longer a problem.

"Search the house for anything valuable," he ordered, his voice cold.

Drawers slammed. Cabinets opened. Then -

"Boss, we found someone."

Ivan turned.

Two of his men were coming down the stairs, dragging someone with them. A young omega, holding a baby tight against his chest. He was forced to his knees right in front of Ivan, shaking, his eyes fixed on the floor, his whole body curled around the child to protect him.

The baby was crying.

The omega immediately started whispering to him, his own hands trembling. "Shh, it's okay... it's okay, Chris..."

Ivan stared. This was not what he expected to find in his brother's house. He expected money, guns, documents.

Not this.

The omega looked exhausted, his clothes plain, his face pale. He didn't look like a mafia spouse. He looked like someone who had been hiding for a very long time.

Ivan slowly crouched down so he was at eye level with him. He kept his voice low, firm but not shouting.

"What are you doing here? What's your name?"