"He wanted proof that you were really asleep," Lake explained. "And then he asked for more."
Caspian didn’t look the least bit surprised to hear that, "I’m really sorry you had to deal with that."
Lake was back to laughing, "I didn’t mind. Was the floor comfortable? I didn’t want to interrupt your sleep."
Caspian stretched experimentally, "You know, now that you mention it, it really was."
"The pillows might have had something to do with that," Lake teased, going off to get one of the pillows that Caspian had returned to the bed which went too far and landed on the other side.
"What did Davian say about the dress code?" Caspian asked, all the pillows back on the bed.
"There’s none," Lake shrugged.
Caspian beamed, "That means you can wear whatever you like, the festival sounds fun."
Lake didn’t share his friend’s enthusiasm, the event might be fun but the guests would most likely be less so.
"Asher agreed to shopping, right? We could get facials and our nails done before heading to the store." Caspian went on, more excited about it than the person attending.
Caspian’s words sounded foreign to Lake but he had a healthy dose of curiosity about it.
"He did, I’ll come pick you up tomorrow." Lake chimed in.
Caspian’s phone rang again then and he lunged for his phone, shooting Lake an apologetic look as he headed for the door.
Lake found that he couldn’t complain about his new life. There were probably things to worry about, especially after the birth of the baby, but what was the use of worrying about it right now?
Besides Davian was really nice, he knew the Alpha wouldn’t let the mother of his child go back to doing menial labor.
So he was sure he could spend the rest of his years kicking back and arranging back-and-forth visits with Caspian, but he wanted much more than that.
He wanted a job that was actually fulfilling, and he would like to maybe get his degree.
"Lake, I’m really sorry but I’ve got to leave early," Caspian opened the door to say.
Lake had hoped his friend would stay for lunch, he would even try to convince Davian to let them cook.
But this was fine, they also had plans for the next day. "No need to apologize," He said as he walked up to Caspian, pushing his friend’s pale hair out of his face.
He had to give Caspian privacy for his friend to change back into his stuffy clothes that completely covered him up, the hickeys faded a bit more.
Lake walked him out as they said their goodbyes, surprised to see Keith and Peter chatting with the men doing their security shifts.
He knew his friend couldn’t drive, but he didn’t quite expect Caspian’s bodyguards to come over every time.
He waved them with a big smile, watching them quickly get into the car and drive off.
Their presence was becoming familiar, Davian’s men hadn’t even been on guard, chatting harmlessly with Asher’s men.
With Caspian gone, there was nothing to do, so he beelined to Davian’s study, with intentions of giving the Alpha a hand this time, of course.
This time, he knocked gingerly on the door, poking his head in when he didn’t get a response to find it empty.
Lake frowned, wondering if Davian had gone looking for him too. It was almost time for lunch, and he doubted the Alpha would have the time to cook for him again.
A quick trip back to his bedroom showed it to be empty, Davian’s black-themed room the same.
Lake could very easily call Davian’s phone but walking around searching for the Alpha in person gave him something to do.
He hit the jackpot in the kitchen, his instant smile reflexive as he saw Davian back in a colorful apron.
"What are you doing?" He asked lightly, walking over.
Davian whipped around with an almost guilty expression, holding a wooden ladle. "I thought you were with Caspian."
"He had to leave early," Lake said absently, trying to peek around the Alpha’s back to see what he was doing on the stove.
"What are you doing?" He demanded again when Davian remained immovable like a slab of rock, the Alpha wrapping his arms around him to keep him in place.
"Making lunch," Davian said with a straight face.
Lake frowned, concern spilling out of his eyes. "Aren’t you too busy?"
Davian’s poker face faltered, Lake was right, but fighting against his instincts to cook for the Omega was a lost battle.
Even if he managed to not burn down the kitchen making soup like he planned to, that was only one of many things he had to make, and lunch was right around the corner.
And after that, he had to return right back to slugging through paperwork.
"Maybe a little," He admitted reluctantly, tipping dangerously close to his breaking point.
There was a hurt look in Lake’s eyes, the Omega had stopped trying to look around him, he hadn’t even made any effort to break free of his hold on him.
"Why don’t you let me pick up the cooking?" Lake suggested. This wasn’t beneficial to either of them.
He didn’t like to sit around doing nothing, and Davian wanted to do the cooking.
"Lake," Davian said his name, it was so unusual that it sent a shiver down his spine.
It didn’t help that there was a familiar look back on Davian face, the one he got when he had something to say but decided not to.
This was far bigger than who got to cook and it sent a lick of fear through him.
The darkest thoughts in the deepest recesses of his mind came to light. That he had become a nuisance to Davian so the Alpha was getting rid of him.
"I’m thinking of leaving the Mafia." Davian said decisively.
The Alpha’s words were so unexpected that he blinked a couple of times, processing nothing of what was said.