Although it was at least eight AM in the morning, there were still a handful of drunk patrons hanging around the club.
Jael got rid of them with a snap of his fingers, buff men striding over to drag them off the property.
Caspian watched this happen with curious eyes, getting led by Jael into the building while he was still watching.
The club was being cleaned up for the day while they walked through it, bartenders restocking.
"I asked the men to set up a space for you in the office," Jael spoke up, starting to grow concerned over what he would come to meet.
Jael pushed open the door as he spoke, staring in disbelief at the changes that had been made.
He had been expecting that they would just bring a sofa in from one of the private rooms, and Caspian could watch shows on a laptop.
He hadn’t been expecting them to turn into full on interior decorators. There were rugs, bookshelves, and even a television, and a room divider.
He didn’t even know they had one of those.
Caspian walked in with a small smile, "They did a great job."
Jael had to slam the door close because the men on guard duty were peeking in to hear Caspian’s sentiments.
"Glad you like it." He muttered.
He supposed it was a good thing that the men were warming up to Caspian - even if it was a little too over the top.
He watched the Omega curl up on the sofa and promptly close his eyes. Maybe he should let the men pamper Caspian as much as they wanted.
Things were very close to falling apart between him and Asher, and there wouldn’t be another person filling his position.
Jael shook his head and tried to focus on less macabre thoughts, like breakfast.
"Do you want to order in for breakfast?" He walked over to Caspian.
"Pizza?" He suggested shortly.
Jael paused for a moment before responding, "Why not," He shrugged, straightening out the room divider before walking away so that Caspian was covered from view.
Ordering one would be easier but the men would probably be happier if he offered them the job.
Caspian took his shoes off and sat cross-legged on the sofa, surfing through channels while he munched on pizza.
Being pampered by the Mafia was quite the experience.
He had been touched by the men caring more than he admitted, it was still surreal to have so many people worry about him even without doing anything for them.
The staff back at the mansion had been the same, and they always remembered to send him some sweet tea with lunch even if he didn’t ask.
Things couldn’t be more perfect but it tasted so sour; going for so long without seeing Asher couldn’t be more strange.
Caspian’s prescription had run out just the day before so naturally, falling asleep got much harder.
But on this perfumed couch, in a corner of a room where dangerous deals were being carried out, he easily fell asleep.
The covered pizza box was on a side table, the show on screen still playing, warm lamps scattered around to provide ample lighting.
Jael quickly checked up on him when there was a break in the stream of people he needed to attend to.
Although it was blatantly obvious, none of them dared mention the strange addition in the corner of the office.
His phone buzzed as he started back to Asher’s chair, and he absently stared at it before he picked up.
The name on the ringing phone made him freeze. Asher calling him? That couldn’t be good.
He started for the door as he picked up, he would rather not have the conversation within earshot of Caspian.
"Yeah, I’m a next of kin," Jael said as soon as he picked.
"You’re so impatient for me to die," Asher’s dry voice came through the call.
Jael never imagined a day would come when he would miss the stubborn Alpha, "It’ll happen, one of these days."
"I went to the hospital," Asher said after a short pause, an odd tone in his voice.
"So you’re dying after all," Jael tried to tease but there was no hiding the worried crack in his voice.
"Says the old man. I’ll outlive you, easy."
Jael tried to figure out why Asher would go to the hospital and failed, he doubted anything could kill the Mafia King.
"So why did you go to the hospital?" He asked quietly when Asher wasn’t forthcoming with a response.
"What... what’s wrong with me is genetic right? So I’m just sick..."
Jael stayed quiet while Asher tried to formulate his thoughts, pacing in the parking lot while the sun shone brightly.
"I got... the doctor said Caspian’s pheromones are messing with my rut medication, and it should settle if I mate him."
Jael couldn’t believe his ears, had it been so straightforward the entire time?
"So when are you coming back?" He got right down to business.
"If mating Caspian is going to fix this, when the fuck are you coming back?" He asked a little menacingly, his voice low.
"It’s not certain... fuck. Jael, what if I rip his throat out?"
The anguish in Asher’s voice made him back off, "Even if mating him isn’t an option yet, just come back." He emphasized, "Or you might not find him when you do."
Asher hung up then and it was just as well, there was nothing more to say.
Staying away for so long after hurting Caspian was low, even for Asher.
Jael didn’t care if they went back to avoiding each other afterward, he just needed Asher to address his faults.
He paced for a while longer in the parking lot, his thoughts whirling.
There was nothing he could do but wait and watch, so he made his way back to the office.
He opened the door to find a barefoot Caspian tiptoeing over, pale blond hair messy.
"Need something?" He leaned against the doorway.