Beautiful, Dirty, Rich - Loki Laufeyson Mafia AU
Chapter Three - Cruel Intentions
Walking into the crowded ballroom, Loki couldn't help but wonder what had become of the company. After the sight of the girl on the floor in the hallway, he was concerned just who was being allowed to live comfortably in the association he worked so hard for. Soon it would all change.
"I'd recognise that hair anywhere, Loki Laufeyson." Loki turned to see the face behind the voice, smirking when he saw the face of Charles Buckley.
"Charlie, its been a while." the two embraced, truly Loki was glad to see a familiar face among all the partygoers.
"And whose fault is that?" Charlie smirked with his words. The two retired to the far side of the room, away from prying eyes.
"I had business to attend to." Loki said bluntly, scanning the room. One thing he hadn't missed when away was the pompous side of the Mafia; the parties, the social climbing, the nature of it all was boring to him. At least when he was away he could get away with not attending. Now not so much with his father breathing down his neck.
"Still slaving away for your old man?" Charlie joked, although the humour was lost on Loki as he shot him a glare.
"I have to be prepared for when I take over." Loki said with a hardened voice, to which Charlie only nodded. Loki did a double take when he saw the familiar greying hair, excusing himself from Charlie with a strained voice, "I'll catch up with you later Charles."
Loki made his way to his father, keeping his head down to avoid the unnecessary small talk from members who only seemed to want to talk about how he'd 'grown up' since they last saw him. Of course he had, it had been five years since he even set foot in New York, he wasn't he boy he used to be.
"Father." Loki spoke through a dry throat, it wasn't that he was nervous per se, he rarely got nervous. He just always dreaded conversations with his father, he had a way of making him feel weak, and that was one thing Loki made sure he wasn't — not anymore.
Laufey turned around, his eyebrow arching at the sight of his son, "Loki, glad you could make it." his voice was smooth as he spoke, taking in his sons appearance.
Laufey took a glance around the room before speaking again, "There is something of importance that I need to discuss with you."
Loki's ears seemed to prick up at the statement, staring at his father with a furrowed brow, "What?"
Laufey shook his head as if that answered Loki's question. Only speaking when Loki gave him a glare, "Later, Loki. Enjoy the party."
And with that his father waltzed away in his regal glory; as if the world revolved around him. In a way it did. In a way Laufey was the sun and his minions orbiting around him were the inferior planets.
Still reeling from his fathers words, Loki took to the bar. He didn't want to become sloppy, he only wanted to take the pressure away that was constantly buzzing at his cranium. He felt significantly less tense upon throwing back a third glass of Whiskey. He noticed a presence sidle up beside him, he relaxed upon seeing it was only Charlie.
"You look tense" Loki commented, taking in the way his friend's teeth were grinding.
Charlie shook his head, knocking back a shot of a clear liquid, "It's nothing, lets just say I will never understand the opposite sex."
Loki smirked slightly, "I should have known."
The two men gathered their drinks to turn and face the room. the party was still very much in full effect, if not more so than before. Loki's eyes narrowed however, at the sight of his father with a new companion.
"Charlie," Loki got his slightly inebriated friends attention, "What do you know about that?" he pointed to where his father was discussing something with the man to his left. The two looked deep in conversation, prompting Loki's interest to pique.
"Oh, that's Alexander Ellison." Charlie spoke, gesturing to the bartender for a refill, Loki rolled his eyes in response.
"Yes I am aware of that Charles," the venom in his voice caused Charlie to refrain from drinking, setting the glass down against the wooden bar.
Charlie sighed, "Whilst you were away Ellison seemed to work his way up the rankings, and your father seemed to enjoy having someone to do his bitch work for him."
"What exactly are you saying Charles." Loki snapped, eyes zeroing in on the man laughing beside his father.
"Its not my place to say, its all just rumours."
Loki shot him a glare, he wouldn't be able to get out of this one.
Charlie took a moment to readjust his tie, clearing his throat before speaking, "There are rumours among the caporegime that he is in the running to become Laufey's underboss."
Loki tried to keep his composure, but he found himself speechless. How could his father do this, it was always said Loki would be the one to serve as underboss. His veins burned with anger, this couldn't be right.
But then, why else would his father want to talk to him later?
Loki's nostrils flared with rage the longer he stared at the man — Alexander. Of course, the second Loki was out of the picture his father would go behind his back. He should've seen this coming. He cursed himself for being so foolish. He held his drink with an iron grip, trying desperately not to just shoot the man only a few feet away from him. Oh what Loki would give to watch the blood pour from his skull, him — his competition. He vowed he wouldn't give Laufey the chance to undermine him. Loki needed a plan, one to get rid of Alexander Ellison.
"I see." was all Loki said, taking another sip from his glass.
Charlie had nothing to respond, he was just glad Loki didn't take his anger out on the messenger. Instead, the pair remained silent, watching the party unfold before their eyes.
It was then as if Loki felt a shift in the room, his eyes moved on their own accord, only stopping when they reached their destination. He was only slightly surprised to see the same girl who had made a fool of herself earlier crossing the room. His eyes remained glued on her as she seemed to assess her surroundings, seeking refuge in a friendly face much like he had when he first entered. He smirked slightly when he saw her fail to conceal a grimace.
He knew the feeling all too well.
It was only when Loki saw the direction in which se was heading that the cogs really began turning in his head. The man — Alexander, embraced her, kissing her cheeks. Trophy wife was his first thought but the greeting between them was too awkward. He beckoned Charlie once more.
"Who is she?" he asked, nodding towards the three.
"Her?" Loki only nodded, eyes still fixed on the girl. "That's Ellison's daughter, she's recently come back from Paris, studying or..something, I cant remember."
"Her best friend, Sophia is my.." Charlie began but Loki spared him the awkward fumbling, he didn't care about Charlies relationships.
"I see." Loki said, a smirk curling onto his face. His mind was running rampage with the new information. The daughter of his competition, it was almost too easy.
Corruption was arguably one of Loki's greatest skills, and he knew how to use it to his advantage. A pawn in his game is what he needed, and with you, he had it.
He thanked the gods above at the timing of his father calling him over. Loki put aside his anger for him, he'd come back to it later. For now he was focused on you, he crossed the room to join his father.
"This is my son, Loki." he heard his father speak as he joined the three. The look that crossed your face didn't surprise him, a mixture of shock and annoyance. He couldn't really blame you after your meeting earlier. He didn't think too much of it, he knew ways to make you talk.
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Loki took your hand, placing a chaste kiss against the soft skin. He then eyed you up and down. Having you as a part of his game was fun as it was, but it certainly helped that you looked the way you did.
You were beautiful, there was no denying that.
You offered him only a nod in return, mouth still twisted in displeasure. Loki kept his eyes fixed on you, watching as you failed to maintain the contact. It was fun to watch you squirm.
"Loki, I haven't seen you for some time." your father's hand distracted Loki from you, he shook it, albeit with some reluctance.
"And you are?" Loki knew the quip would get him in trouble, but it was worth it to catch the slight smirk you wore upon seeing your father's face drop.
Laufey cleared his throat, "Loki, this is Alexander Ellison, I trust you simply couldn't place the face to the name, correct?" to anyone else the tone of Laufey's voice was smooth, but Loki caught the hidden threat behind his words.
"Ah yes Alexander, I've heard great things about you during my absence." Loki spoke, watching the way the man wore a wounded expression. One thing all men in the mafia shared was their inflated ego's, and it was fun to bruise your fathers.
"I hope it would not be uncouth for me to ask for your daughter to join me for a drink? Purely to welcome her back to New York." Loki watched as your eyes shot to his own, a look of discontent painted across your features.
Alexander seemed to forget you were even to his side, he only offered a nod, placing a hand on your back to gesture for you to join Loki. The hand of your father was quickly replaced by Loki's, but not for long as you instantly shimmied away from then contact when you were out of sight from your father. Together the two of you made your way to the bar.
"What would you like to drink?" Loki asked, watching as you settled into the stool.
"I don't want a drink, and I don't want to sit with you." you spoke, facing forwards, not wanting to even give Loki the satisfaction of looking at him.
"So why did you agree to?"
You scoffed, "I didn't agree, my father did."
You gave him an incredulous look, "Yes? In case you forgot, let me remind you of how you acted like an asshole within the first minute of meeting me."
"Ah yes, I should apologise for that, it was rude of me." Loki rested an arm on the table to get a better view of you.
You sighed, finally turning to look at Loki, "I don't know what you think you're going to achieve by trying to flirt but I can promise you now, nothing is going to happen."
Loki's eyebrow arched at your words, a wave of rejection rolling off of him, "You think I'm flirting?" his voice was smooth as honey, eyes glistening with mischief, "Don't flatter yourself, like I said, I'm merely welcoming you back to New York."
"How do you know I've been away?" you replied, eyes narrowing the more Loki spoke.
"I know everything darling."
Everything about Loki was smug; his words, his body language, everything about him was a performance.
A performance you didn't want to get involved with.
"Whatever Loki, you don't scare me." you sighed, turning back to face forward, you couldn't stand how attractive he was even when he was being a dick.
Loki rose to his feet, bending a few inches so that his mouth was mere millimetres away from your ear. You couldn't hide the way you froze at his proximity.
"Oh but you should be scared of me, I have a feeling were gong to be seeing a lot more of each other. I think it would be wise for you to put aside your reluctance towards me," he pulled away momentarily to reach for a flute of champagne sitting on a silver tray, placing the drink directly in front of you.
"Enjoy the rest of your night, darling."