CHAPTER 563: +CHAPTER 563+

The Blacks didn’t stay long, and they didn’t try to convince them to leave the hospital either.

Angelo had never had any reason to pay attention to the Mafia running his city, but they were surprisingly considerate, more so than he would have ever imagined.

"I didn’t know you had a good relationship with Mafia King Davian," He said to Nikolai when they were all done with their makeshift dinner, which included ice cream for dessert.

"Honestly, I’m just as surprised as you are," Nikolai admitted; granted, his relationship with the other two Mafia Kings was neutral enough, but today had shown him that he might have completely underestimated things.

Angelo had slept for a considerable amount of time, and by the time the Blacks, along with their secretary left for the mansion, it was close to midnight.

He glanced over at Cain, who was beginning to doze off. The Alpha steadfastly fighting off sleep was humorous but mostly poignant; sleeping was such a mundane activity, but for someone with Cain’s past, it meant far more.

Angelo waited till he fell asleep and then he got up to gently push Cain to partially lie down on the couch. It was far from comfortable, but it was better than having him sit and sleep.

He returned to Nikolai’s side, looking the bright-eyed Alpha over. "Can you sleep?"

Nikolai had been running on empty ever since Angelo left, the drugged wine no longer had any effect, and at some point, he had stopped trying. He did manage to fall asleep a few short times, but that had no doubt been his body straight up shutting down from exhaustion.

"Not sleepy anymore?" He asked instead.

Angelo shook his head, Lake had given him a scrunchie for his loose hair while he was eating, and the colorful trinket was still keeping his hair out of his face. "Not right now."

He didn’t know if he would still be able to fall asleep, he had fallen asleep for quite a while and felt rested.

"Close your eyes and try to sleep," He went on; there was nothing else that was demanded of either of them that night.

"Let me rest against you," Nikolai agreed.

Angelo didn’t mind, he expected the Alpha to rest against his shoulder like he had done in the afternoon, and not at all for Nikolai to kick his shoes off and lie on the sectional sofa so that he could rest on his legs.

He glanced down, letting Nikolai do whatever he wanted. The weight on his leg was comforting and Nikolai did close his eyes - whether the Alpha was truly trying to sleep remained to be seen.

Angelo’s hands were by his side, not sure what to do with them. He had thought about trying to sleep before, but he doubted he would be able to manage that anymore.

He forced his attention away from Nikolai’s peaceful face, self-conscious about how hard he had been staring. The rest of the night dragged on slowly, but it wasn’t unbearable. He usually hated nights, but this was one he didn’t mind being awake for.

Angelo couldn’t say when Nikolai fell asleep, but soon the Alpha had his face buried in his sweater, an arm around his waist. He tried to hold back for as long as he could, but eventually he gave in and gingerly touched Nikolai’s hair.

The Mafia King always had a hand in his own hair whenever he could, Angelo couldn’t help but be curious about what made it so fun. Nikolai’s hair was soft, the dark gold strands looked lighter when they were separated.

A nurse came to check on them a few times, bringing with her blankets and bottles of water. It was a small private hospital, so it wasn’t as crowded, very few people walking past their waiting room.

Dawn soon came, Cain rousing up shortly after like clockwork. The Alpha’s auburn hair was matted on one side, pale eyes distant as he blinked himself fully awake after sitting up.

A blanket had been thrown over him while he was sleeping, one that he instinctively caught as it was about to slip to the ground.

"Good morning," He greeted gruffly, morning voice hoarse.

Angelo had spent more time with the Alpha in the past day than he had ever since Silvia acquired him, so he had started to get used to him. "Morning, sleep well?"

Cain rose to his feet and stretched, joints popping no doubt from his less-than-stellar sleeping position. "Good enough." He mumbled, wandering off, no doubt to the restroom connected to the waiting room.

Nikolai was still fast asleep and Angelo had no plans to wake him up, he had a feeling that the Mafia King had barely gotten any sleep ever since he left his penthouse.

Angelo couldn’t even be mad at him, not for that, and not for Nikolai colluding with Silvia to keep everything a secret from him. In all his years of living, he could count on one hand the people that had tried to protect him, he was just glad they were both alive.

Cain came back shortly after, his face freshly washed. "There are disposable toothbrushes in the restroom," He informed him, taking his seat.

Angelo acknowledged him even though he had no intention of moving until Nikolai woke up.

Cain didn’t sit still for long, wandering off somewhere. Angelo couldn’t say if the Alpha had gone to get snacks or to get some information about Silvia.

Angelo was pulled out of his thoughts by Nikolai’s hand inching deeper into his hair. He glanced down at the Mafia King whose face was still buried in his midsection, seemingly asleep.

"Good morning to you too," He said quietly, his tone light and indulgent.

Nikolai reluctantly sat up, squinting at the brightness of the hospital lights. He hadn’t expected to fall asleep at all, much less sleep through the night. So despite wanting to remain where he was, face first in Angelo’s scent, he knew the assassin’s legs had to have gone numb.

Angelo rose to his feet as soon as he could, heading right to the restroom. It wasn’t an emergency but he did need to use the bathroom, as well as clean his teeth and splash some water on his face.