+Chapter 9+

Jael got in a car as well after sending off the boss' new property, his destination different.

He drove alone, he was heading to one of Alpha Asher's clubs, where the boss currently was because he needed to report to him, and he also needed to ask him a couple fucking questions.

Jael told himself that he had seen it all, and nothing his boss did could shock him anymore. He had just been putting his foot in his mouth.

He got to the club and parked his car, taking out his shades to put on, his eyes narrowing behind the dark glasses as an unfamiliar set of cars drove in.

He immediately went around the club, going in through the back because getting to Asher was quicker that way.

His questions for his boss would have to wait for now because there was an unexpected visitor.

-+-

Asher leaned back in his chair, his usually wild hair slicked back, the fur coat he wore accentuating the width of his shoulders.

His office was dimly lit, the chandeliers and classic decor belying the rough-looking men that hung around him.

A Beta walked in, a pair of shades obscuring his eyes, his expression set grimly. "Mafia King Nikolai just arrived." He quietly informed him, leaning close to speak.

A devilish smile split Asher's lips at that piece of information, "I'll see him." He allowed magnanimously.

His smile didn't fade even when Mafia King Nikolai swept into his office, dark blond hair coiffed, signature cigar between his long fingers.

"Can I help you with something?" Asher asked lightly, pouring himself a shot of whiskey from the crystal decanter on his table.

He made no effort to offer a glass to Nikolai, he had no intentions of underestimating the other although he had shown up alone.

"A deal." Nikolai spoke bluntly, his raspy voice not matching his icy exterior.

Asher narrowed his eyes, neither of the three Mafia Kings were on good terms with each other, not even Davian who preferred to lay low so it was very suspicious for Nikolai to show up without warning and demand a deal.

He held out a hand, one of his silent men swiftly placing a gun right on his open palm.

Asher grasped the gun and pointed the barrel right at Nikolai's head, "You might want to watch what you say next."

Nikolai looked almost bored, unfazed by the threat although he knew well that Asher was a trigger-happy bastard.

He reached across the table to silently pour himself some whiskey, his shoulders feeling way too light without his gun holsters. "I didn't come here for a fight."

"You sitting in one of my clubs tell me otherwise."

Now Nikolai raised both hands in a gesture of surrender, a trail of smoke partitioning his features, deep blue eyes steady. "I did mention I came to make a deal."

Asher was still highly skeptical so he didn't lower his gun, his aim steady as he waited for the other Mafia King to get to the point.

"I'll pay you double, so hand the Omega to me."

A stretch of silence followed Nikolai's words, Asher dropping his gun on the polished mahogany tabletop.

His laughter shattered the tense silence, his men at ease at his reaction.

"I would have never taken you for a sore loser." Asher taunted, still chuckling.

Nikolai gritted his teeth, he had hesitated for a moment after Asher had bid a high price without warning, and now he was paying for it.

That moment of contemplation had cost him the one Omega that had sparked his interest. "It's a yes or no answer, Asher."

This silenced the other Alpha, his dark red hair looking bloody in the dim light of his office, piercings flashing. "No. Now fuck off."

Nikolai looked like he would like to say more but he didn't, silently rising to his feet and heading out without another word.

"Boss?" Jael appeared at his side.

Asher clenched his teeth, fangs flashing as he picked up the gun one more time and shot the glass that Nikolai had poured himself.

The crystal glass exploded loudly, the amber liquid spilling onto the table. "Keep tabs on that bastard the best as you can."

"Got it," He languidly replied, slipping out.

Asher watched his right-hand man stride out of the room, he could count on Jael to do such a dangerous job.

He couldn't figure out why Nikolai had shown up without warning while making such a lame excuse. Was it possible that he was genuine about the deal?

He scrapped that thought as quickly as it came. Nikolai's blood was made of gasoline, he cared about nothing but power.

It didn't matter if he had been genuine, Asher had no interest in giving away the Omega.

He just didn't like the implication that Nikolai had something up his sleeve and he couldn't figure out what it was.

Asher had no idea why he had spent so much money on a whim but he didn't regret it.

Going to the auction had been for duty's sake, it was a way to show his influence and the power he held.

Attending important functions like that was vital even if he didn't plan on bidding, and he hadn't.

He was caught off-guard when Nikolai joined the bidding right after he did, but it was Nikolai, that bastard would go out of his way to get something just because he showed interest in it.

Asher couldn't exactly judge, he would have done the same.

He found himself wondering how she had gotten into her current situation. She looked nothing like the usual set of Omegas that chose to sell themselves, it sparked his curiosity.

She had looked petrified. With her inky black hair and big blue eyes, she looked so out of place on an auction stage, her eyes pleading.

There was always a long list of people asking to see him and tonight was no different, so although he would rather see his newly purchased property, he had to play nice and receive visitors.

However, Nikolai's appearance had distracted him, making him barely focus on the people he had to deal with, so much so that he had to consider leaving early.