"I’m fine," Davian answered in a muted voice, feeling like he had been scolded. "Did you mind?"
Lake laughed at his question, the sound was soft and chilling. "I should have had this done sooner. If you’re tired of standing, sit, okay?"
Rosie was already gesturing another person in as Lake said those words, the secretary making herself scarce after.
Now that Mafia King Davian was with Lake, she no longer bothered with hanging around, only staying at Lake’s directions.
If there were more broken teeth on the carpet when it was time to go out for lunch, Lake didn’t mind it. If anything, Davian’s contributions made things more efficient - and the Alpha was very meticulous about spilling as little blood as possible
"Could you have someone clean up the office while we go out for lunch?" He said to Rosie as they readied to leave.
Rosie had seen enough people leave with missing teeth to know what Lake was talking about. "Right away, boss."
All she got was a pleasant smile from Lake despite the title, "Do you want something while we’re out?"
Rosie had in real time seen Mafia King Davian hand over his Mafia House to his pregnant mate and willing choose to take a backseat, just as she expected he didn’t even flinch at her using his title for Lake.
"I’m not a picky eater," She said simply, her ginger hair in a neat bun. She immediately walked off to handle the new task Lake had given her.
"Where do you want to eat?" Lake turned to Davian. The Alpha had just gotten in the driver’s seat after holding open the door for him.
Ever since the ’incident’ Davian had never let him behind the wheel, the Alpha slowly taking over the responsibility they used to share at Lake’s insistence.
There was a time Lake cared about saving face but now he indulged Davian and let the Alpha pamper him as much as he wanted.
"Do you want to try the new Thai restaurant on the next street?" Davian asked in turn as he started the car.
Lake’s eyes sparkled, starving although he had eaten just a handful of hours ago. If Lake could have his way, he would always have a snack on hand, but he insisted on being professional.
The Thai restaurant had few customers and Lake guessed that their prices had something to do with it. The ambiance and decor made up for it, not to mention the restaurant’s location, they clearly catered to wealthy businessmen and executives.
Because of this, picking out an odd stranger was easy. Lake wasn’t on guard however because even with the shawl over their hair and the garish sunglasses they wore while inside, he already knew who it was.
If Bella Blackburn had truly wanted to commit to the bit, she should have changed her clothes as well...
Now, why was a wealthy heiress wasting her time stalking him and Davian? Was it that she was really serious about Davian...
"Lake?" Davian’s low voice pulled him out of his thoughts, the Alpha’s eyes scanning the area he had been looking at. "Is something wrong?"
Lake turned to him with a bright smile, he had to give this update to Caspian. "Everything is perfect. The food is so nice..." He quickly changed the conversation, he could almost forgive the prices.
"...Rosie would love it..."
By the time Lake looked over at Bella Blackburn again, the Omega was long gone, but his smile didn’t diminish.
Davian beamed like Lake had complimented his cooking, only for his smile to wilt off because he would rather he showered those words on his own cooking.
"I’ll learn some recipes and cook them for you," He said gruffly, eyeing the food like it had wronged him.
Lake always stepped carefully around matters of food, he knew how much control he held over Davian. "Thank you." He said simply, even though he was really excited.
Davian had baked him chocolate cookies just the day before, he didn’t want to turn the Alpha into a full-time personal chef, but his cooking was like ambrosia.
They shortly returned to the company, Davian holding Rosie’s food in a nicely packed bag.
The secretary beamed at the sight of the food, she didn’t have to mooch off her employers considering that she was allowed to use the company card for expenses like that, but it was nice to have someone get something for her.
The office was spotless when they returned, Rosie had even gone as far as to change the carpet, the lingering smell of blood and pain all gone.
The office now smelled of soothing lavender, the air clean and welcoming.
Although, Lake periodically reminded Davian to take a seat, the Alpha stoically stood whenever Lake was receiving someone and it had nothing to do with intimidating their guest.
He just liked Lake constantly checking in on him and it was why he stubbornly insisted on standing, so that Lake would constantly look at him with those soft brown eyes while he was dealing with business.
Although Davian was easily the most powerful Mafia King, a lot tended to forget because he was so apathetic and passive, but now that his drive was back, it spread waves of panic in Haines.
Because the day after they got back from Asher’s mansion, Davian finally got some time to himself to handle some personal business.
Lake was fed and fast asleep so he was free to leave the mansion and head downtown.
The mansion was too far from the downtown area of Haines for Lake to be aware, but as the bloody red sun set on a previously peaceful Sunday, the entire MoonShade gang had been decimated.
There were roaring fires licking at the orange sky, deafening sirens filled the streets, the acrid stench of blood mixing in...
Davian smiled inwardly as Lake silently checked in on him again, thinking of what he would cook for dinner even as the Beta conversing with Lake stumbled over his words for the umpteenth time at his mere presence.