Angelo stared up at the tall, imposing gates they drove up to. It was opened almost immediately for them to drive through, a gorgeous mansion hidden behind the intimidating gates.
The armed men scattered inside and outside the gates didn’t surprise him, if anything, this was how he expected Nikolai’s home to be.
They got out of the car, and Angelo stuck by Silvia’s side. He was merely here to distract himself, and, hopefully, get some information out of the casual conversation that would be held at the dinner table.
Mafia King Asher himself was at the top of the stairs to receive them, he was in a partially unbuttoned dress shirt, his dark red hair wild. "You’re pretty early," He noted lightly, leading the way in.
"Thanks for having us," Silvia said instead, letting Asher’s teasing comments roll right down her back.
Asher led them up the stairs, "Save that for Caspian," He bantered, "He’s the reason you’re here."
Silvia eyed Asher’s legs as they walked up the stairs behind him, wondering if she could get away with tripping him. They were only a few minutes early, it wasn’t like they were over an hour early.
And it was evident when Asher led them right to the dining room. There were plates, utensils, napkins, the works, all already laid out.
Silvia did a head count of the table, and there were far more people than she had been expecting. She swallowed down her questions because she was here on a favor, she didn’t have the freedom to be pesky.
"One moment, I’ll go get my mate." Asher grandly announced after offering them seats.
Angelo watched the Mafia King practically hurry out, he knew Mafia King Asher’s mate, but he had never met him. "Is there a dinner party happening?" He leaned closer to Silvia to ask.
Silvia looked thoughtful, there were five other plates aside theirs, at most she had expected three. It wouldn’t be surprising at all if Jael joined them at the table. "I doubt it," She smiled, but it didn’t touch the nervousness in her dark eyes.
She had enough to worry about with Asher and Jael, with two extra guests that she didn’t know, wasn’t it just an accident waiting to happen?
Asher walked into the room to see Caspian putting his favorite hairpins in his hair. He had gotten them from Lake, and he wore them as often as he could.
"They’re seated in the dining room," He reported, fiddling with his rings to keep his hands off his mate.
Caspian rose to his feet and walked over to help him do up some of the buttons on his dress shirt, "It’s getting colder," He murmured before replying, "And the rest?"
"Probably in the kitchen," Asher’s lips lifted at the corners, "I didn’t see them."
Caspian got on his tiptoes to finger-comb Asher’s hair, tucking it behind his mate’s pierced ears. "You should go keep the guests company. I’ll go get them."
Asher watched his mate bustle out, he had said it lightly, but he had meant his words to Silvia. If Caspian didn’t want them over, then he would have turned her down without a second thought.
Doubts about his mate were mostly a thing of the past, but now and then, he was reminded of how Caspian would thrive if they were a proper Pack. He made his way back to the dining room all alone.
Caspian beelined straight to the kitchen, if Jael, Patty, and Rosie were all missing, there was only one place they could be.
The kitchen was already done with dinner, all that was left was for it to be served. He walked right through the bustle and opened the door to the study to find them all sandwiched behind Patty’s laptop.
Caspian was relieved to see them all in one place, but he paused, concerned. "What are you three doing?"
Bright eyes peered at him over the laptop, and Caspian decided then that he would actually prefer remaining in the dark. "Actually, don’t tell me. Dinner is ready, come eat."
He turned and headed out, knowing that they would soon follow. He knew Silvia well enough, but he had yet to meet the second guest. Asher had told him all about him though, an Omega who was very important to Silvia.
He was curious about the Omega, Asher hadn’t been sure, so he didn’t know if they were related. Silvia seemed like a shrewd Beta who didn’t care much for familial ties, so he was very curious.
Caspian got to the dining room first, a smile on his face as he walked in. It took him a moment to recognize Silvia, she looked completely different from the image he had of her in his head. If you asked him, he would say that he was sure she slept in a dinner dress and high heels.
"I’m so glad you could make it to dinner." He said as he made his way over to Asher’s side.
Silvia couldn’t help but smile in turn, "Thanks for having us," She repeated. "We’re acquainted but you’re yet to meet..." She went on, introducing Caspian and Angelo to each other.
"Caspian, lovely to meet you." He offered a hand across the dining table, blue eyes alight.
Angelo quickly took the offered hand, Silvia’s anxiety rubbing off on him. "Angelo. The pleasure is all mine," He murmured, noting how small the Omega’s hand was, nothing like his.
Caspian’s smile dialed up brighter, "I was surprised when Asher told me you were both coming to dinner. He never invites anyone over."
Asher took the backseat and let his mate handle the pleasantries, he had known Silvia far too long to pretend to play nice.
Silvia shot Asher a discreet look, "Then I’m lucky he decided to make an exception."
Caspian’s gaze drifted over to the door, he had expected Jael and the others to follow closely behind him, but he had already exchanged pleasantries with the guests and settled down, and they still weren’t at the table.
Asher picked up on this, leaning close. "Should I go get them?"
Usually, Caspian would be fine waiting, but he wanted to make a good impression on their guests. "Yes, please." He murmured his response.
Asher was out of his seat lightning fast, striding out of the door with purpose.
"I’m sorry about that," Caspian apologized sheepishly.
Silvia didn’t mind one bit, more invested in who would be coming in through the dining room doors in a few minutes.