Chapter 580: +Chapter 580+
Fallon didn’t let his attention wander too far, burying his curiosity and focusing on giving his report. His Mafia King had only been gone for a little under two hours, so there wasn’t much to report on, mostly on the updates from the other two Mafia Kings and how the spy clean-up had gone.
Fallon hadn’t been there in person to supervise the cleanup, but the feedback he had gotten from the men had his attention drifting over again to the dangerous assassin by his Mafia King’s side.
"Got something in your eye, Fallon?" Nikolai’s chilling voice made him wrench his gaze away, feeling cold sweat pool on the back of his neck.
"Just curious if your company would be interested in a drink," He nearly bit his tongue, wisely keeping his attention on his Mafia King in front of him.
"Is that the only thing you’re curious about?" Nikolai leaned back, relaxed now that his subordinate was no longer staring a little too hard at Angelo.
Fallon swallowed painfully. He was curious about why the assassin was sticking around his Mafia King well known for trusting absolutely no one. He also couldn’t place the assassin’s importance; the male Omega didn’t match his Mafia King’s known sexual interests.
He wasn’t dumb enough to ask any of the questions on the tip of his tongue, however, trying to quickly de-escalate the situation so he didn’t risk losing his second hand. "Absolutely."
Nikolai had the shadow of a smile on his face at that hasty response. "Communicate this to the men, his authority is as good as mine. If he tells you to jump, you’d better fucking strap up a jet pack."
Fallon enthusiastically acknowledged his Mafia King’s words, quick to make himself scarce.
"Wait," Mafia King Nikolai stopped him in his tracks halfway to the door.
Fallon turned around, a wary look in his eyes.
"Red wine." The Mafia King simply said.
It took Fallon a moment and then some to understand the cryptic message, heading out of the door to fulfill the request as soon as he did.
Nikolai glanced over at Angelo when it was just the two of them in the room, and he could see the moment when the assassin snapped into focus, lifting a questioning brow.
His response was cut off by a ringing phone, gritting his teeth as he picked up. He was supposed to feel better when Angelo was by his side, and he would, if the assassin wasn’t several feet away.
He fought the urge to call him over, he knew that Angelo would come, but he wanted his men to keep seeing him as a dangerous assassin, and not just an armpiece of their Mafia King.
Angelo also tended to choose his favorite piece of furniture, and he couldn’t bring himself to make him sit on a less comfortable chair. So he was left sulking and feeling jittery like an opioid addict in withdrawal.
Nikolai’s expression was dark as he received one of the first on the list of people who were going to be trooping into his office all day, demanding his attention.
The tatted-up Alpha that strode in slowed down at the sight of his dangerous expression, looking uncertain with every step he took forward. His dim eyes scanned the room, settling on the unfamiliar face at the far end of the room.
He glanced back at Mafia King Nikolai to find him well and truly pissed off, and he knew better than to let his eyes wander again, focusing on getting his visit over with as soon as possible.
"...The High Council is being incredibly generous," He sat at the edge of the chair that had been offered him, "Everyone has a price."
Nikolai cocked a brow at the closing phrase on that sentence; already in a sour mood. He couldn’t touch Angelo, and everyone who paid him a visit got to ogle him; it was a recipe for a real shit mood.
"Tread carefully, fucker." He bit out.
The tatted-up Alpha didn’t back down, resting his elbows on his knees and lacing his fingers. "The High Council’s got fat purses. Folks might be cautious at first, but soon more and more parts of downtown will be sold out."
"You sound like you’ve got a solution to the problem," Nikolai changed up his tune, patronizing.
It went right over the crime boss’ head, riding a high after being personally approached by the High Council.
"You could say that," He nodded importantly, "I’ll be real with you. No one likes the folks over at the High Council, they would definitely take low-ball offers from Mafia Kings over anything the High Council offers."
Nikolai had a difficult time keeping his harmless expression on his face, knowing that the crime boss flapping his lips in front of him would be the first of a long line of morons who would try to get him to pay them to keep their loyalty.
He really hoped that Asher had more of them cramming into his clubs, it would make him feel slightly better.
"So you considered the High Council’s order?" Nikolai asked calmly.
Downtown once used to be all of Haines, but the Mafia Kings had somehow managed to put some semblance of order in the absolute chaos that used to be all of the city, enclosing it in what came to be known as downtown.
The High Council wasn’t just the enemy of the Mafia Kings; they were just at the top of the food chain. This was a war that involved the entire city, because it wouldn’t just be the Mafia Kings bearing the brunt of the consequences if the High Council were to gain the upper hand.
The Alpha suddenly looked like he had a mouthful of lemon, his eyes shifty. "I... uh... I..."
A flash of silver flew past the crime boss’ face, nearly slicing his nose off. It made him glance to the side at the other person in the room with them.
"He’s not going to miss his next throw," Nikolai helpfully told the tatted-up Alpha, "I’m not going to ask again."
The crime boss was starting to sweat now. He had done some business for the Mafia King before, so he felt like he had a better chance with him.