The room had a single chandelier lighting up the space, the sofas were a deep red and they were placed against the wall on each side of the room, leaving an empty space in the middle.
Lake quickly figured out that this was a private room to request a private dance and other services offered at the casino.
Mafia King Nikolai blew out a cloud of smoke when they stepped in, the Alpha sitting upright. "What the fuck is this?" He asked bluntly, dark blue eyes fixed on Lake.
"I’m pretty sure I’m on time," Davian replied casually, getting comfortable on an adjacent sofa.
Nikolai refused to be distracted, sharp eyes digging into the Omega who was frozen at the door.
He had been dealing with an internal issue for the past month so he really hadn’t been keeping up with anything, but he doubted that even if he hadn’t been occupied, he would handle this scene any better.
Why the fuck was Davian bringing a pregnant and mated Omega to their meeting? And a male Omega too. Did he suffocate while chain-smoking in this private room and was now seeing things?
"I’ve stepped down from my position as the Mafia King," Davian broke the silence, looking expectantly at Lake. "Lake’s now the one running things, so I brought him along."
Lake finally remembered how to move, taking a step forward to join Davian on his sofa. "It’s nice to finally meet you, Mafia King Nikolai." He went with the socially appropriate thing to say.
Nikolai forgot about the cigar between his fingers, ash falling to the carpeted floor between his legs. "You did what?"
"I’m not going to repeat myself." Davian muttered.
"Your last order of weapons was approved by me." Lake offered helpfully, not about to be ignored.
This brought Nikolai’s attention back to him, a wary look in the Alpha’s eyes. "Sure, it was." He muttered, his expression grim.
Learning that Davian easily gave up his position to someone else floored him, but it wasn’t as jarring as the state of the Omega who had taken over the title.
"Did Davian knock you up?" He blurted out, unable to help his curiosity.
Davian’s slate gray eyes flashed at that question but Nikolai wasn’t about to back down, he really needed to know.
"Yes," The male Omega... Lake, it was, replied. His tone was measured, his jaw titled upward proudly.
"Right," Nikolai muttered again, rightfully speechless.
He couldn’t say which news stunned him more, the fact that Davian was no longer a Mafia King or the fact that he had gotten someone pregnant.
He looked back to the closed door, eager for Asher to show up so they could get the meeting started.
He remembered his cigar then but it was already burnt out, so he tossed it on the ashtray next to him and then took out a fresh cigar.
Nikolai slipped the thick rolled cigar between his lips and then glanced up at Lake as he lifted the lighter to the tip. Usually, he wouldn’t care, but he still had to show some respect to Davian and his pregnant mate.
So he dropped the lighter and tossed the unlit cigar into the ashtray, displeased for the first time at the complete lack of clocks in his casino.
He fortunately didn’t have to wait for too long in the oppressive silence because the door to the private room was getting thrown open again.
The scent of sugar and flowers hit before he took in the new arrivals. Caspian was also here.
"Did you also step down from being Mafia King?" Nikolai grumbled.
It was almost like these bastards were mocking him. Why were they flaunting their mates at a meeting that was strictly for Mafia Kings?
"What?" Asher’s brows furrowed, he saw Davian and Lake then, and the puzzles clicked in place.
Caspian just went right to Lake’s side, the other Omega’s soft brown eyes lighting up at the sight of his friend.
"I came because Asher said you’d be here." He beamed, taking Caspian’s hand.
Lake had to admit, it did soothe his nerves to have Caspian nearby, the Omega’s sweet scent distracting him from the meeting to come.
Nikolai just blankly watched the ongoing scene. So now they were just bringing everyone?
"I’ll just wait outside while you have your meeting," Caspian said after saying hello to Lake.
Lake watched him leave enviously, wishing he could tag along and spend the evening chatting with his friend instead of dealing with the Alphas in the room.
He didn’t at all expect Davian to rise to his feet as well, "I should also leave. Call if you need anything," He made sure to add before striding out.
His actions completely stunned the occupants left in the room so much that no one reacted until the door shut behind him.
Lake’s eyes went wide. While it was obvious that he was now the one running things, he didn’t process just how much weight that held.
"So are we getting started or not?" Asher broke the silence Davian’s departure brought, the first to adjust to the new changes.
Nikolai massaged the sides of his head with a hand, tempted to light another cigar but he didn’t, straightening up.
"Fuck it," He muttered, "The High Council is about to pass a trade law that’s going to screw things over for us..."
Outside the private room, Jael had stepped out of the car to join Caspian in the casino.
It was completely empty so there was no one to question them hanging around one of the bars.
"Davian!" Caspian called over with a smile when he caught sight of the Alpha. "Is the meeting over already?"
Davian walked over as there was nothing else to do. After stepping out, he had hesitated at leaving everything to Lake but it was only momentary.
After all, he trusted Lake to handle things perfectly, and it wasn’t like Nikolai could do a thing about it.
It also felt like there was a weight off his shoulders. He was the only child of his parents so it was a well-known fact that he was going to inherit the Mafia business.