King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

Chapter Two Hundred Fifty-One

Sephie

“But why though? She has all the money she could ever want from him. Her family as well. Didn’t Mando say she’s from a wealthy family? That doesn’t make sense,” I said.

They all thought for a moment, then Viktor stood up. “I have an idea,” he said. “But I need a computer so we have to go

downstairs.”

I jumped up from the couch. “Permission slips signed. We’re going on a field trip! Everybody make sure you grab your buddy’s hand and stay with the group.”

They were all still laughing at my caffeine-fueled absurdity when we walked off the elevator. The office was still busy, even though it was getting to be later in the day. Adrik’s office door was closed, so I knew he was in a meeting. Stephen was waiting outside his office and gave us all a curious look as we walked off the elevator.

I looked to Viktor. “I’ll go fill Stephen in. You guys go do whatever the he ll it is you’re about to do,” I said. “Just don’t lose your buddy. I’m trusting you guys to be mature on this field trip. Remember, look with your eyes, not your hands,” I said, pointing to my eyes and then to all of them.

They all shook their heads as they walked toward their desks. They each kept a desk on the floor. It made taking care of their individual responsibilities easier. Stephen’s devilish grin greeted me. “Why do I have a feeling whatever you’re about to tell me is going to make me very happy?”

“Because you’re a vampire and you likely read my mind as I was walking over here. Get. Out. Of. My. Head,” I said, smacking his shoulder with each word.

“What did you guys find?” he asked in Russian, since there were still plenty of people milling around the office.

It’s

don’t feel as elated as I was hoping I was going to feel about that one. just sad, really.” I looked down at the floor for a moment, thinking about how empty she was to turn to drugs to try and fill whatever void she was feeling in her life. Stephen cleared his throat quietly, snapping me back to reality. “Anyway, moving on. She also slipped her dealer a note with the money. We’re trying to figure out what the hel l it means, but we think she’s planning on robbing Armando’s house.”

like it always did when he was deep in

to Keith about this later. She was weirdly specific on locations. We think she’s talking about Mando’s house, but the

beeped once. He looked at it, then looked at me.

this one? Can I

door, he smiled at me. “That would be exactly what he needs today,” he said

he was meeting with to the door. I waited until Stephen walked out with the person and walked past me. I heard the door to Adrik’s private bathroom open and close, 50 I knew I could sneak into his office without him seeing me. I walked in quickly, shutting the door behind me and sat down in his chair as quietly as I could. For once, the chair didn’t squeak.

as I heard the water in the sink come on. They were rough sketches, different variations on the same theme. I couldn’t tell what it was, but my attention was

toward his desk and landed on me. He stopped in his tracks, his

arms and wrapping my legs around him. I couldn’t help the squeal that came out when he caught me. He held me tightly, his face buried in my neck. “You have no idea how much I needed this, solnishko,” he said, inhaling deeply. I felt his body relax as I hugged him tighter, running my hand through

wrong or just a long day?”

a long day. I’m exhausted. I don’t know how you have so much energy right now. I think you su cked all my energy out this morning,” he said. I could feel his smile against

It’s fake energy. I’m still not entirely sure what we did this morning, but it took a lot out of both of us, I

it,” he said, leaning back to look at me. His

him so he wouldn’t be forced to hold me up. “And also, I’ll go get you some coffee before your next

kisses, and he did regularly. I think he enjoyed it. But the sweet, tender kisses almost

How much time

can do it in seven,” I said,

Adrik’s office door when I opened the door. “Gazelle, I was just coming to get you.

to come with me. I also still refused to keep track of a key fob to the elevator, so 1 needed one of the guys to operate it. “Um, where are we going?” he asked as we got on

any since this morning, so he’s dying. I only have seven minutes to make this happen. Really, ten, but