King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

Chapter Two Hundred Thirty-Nine

Sephie

Andrei, Misha, and I were still laughing at each other when we walked up to Ms. Jackson’s door. I half-expected her to hear us coming down the hallway, but I still had to knock. She opened the door, just as excited as always that I’d brought eye candy for

her.

“Oh my, you brought me two today. You really do love me, child,” she said as I hugged her. She stepped back to let us into her apartment. That’s when I noticed Giana sitting at her kitchen table. One glance at Ms. Jackson told me that Giana had put her up to this. Misha cursed under his breath beside me. This should be lun.

I felt both Misha and Andrei put their hands on the small of my back, like they were ready for Giana to attack me. I could barely keep from laughing at that thought. I knew they were just being protective. They really were quite good at their jobs. They looked down at me, both had questioning looks on their faces. “We don’t have to stay, gazelle,” Misha said in Russian.

Ms. Jackson looked at Misha, answering in Russian, “at least give her a chance. She’s trying to make things right, at least give her a chance to do so.” She crossed her arms across her chest and gave him a stern look that dared him to argue with her.

He cursed under his breath, but didn’t argue. I did notice that both Andrei and Misha stayed closer to me than they normally would have in Ms. Jackson’s apartment. I smiled to myself knowing they felt so protective of me in such a minor situation. We walked further into her apartment. Both guys stepped in front of me, partially shielding me from Giana. I wasn’t quite sure if they thought she was going to come at me or if they were worried I was going to have a go at her. It could go either way, really.

We walked to the kitchen table, but I didn’t make a move to sit. I was happy to hear her out, but I also wasn’t going to go out of my way to be nice to her. I’d already tried that route and it got me here. Giana looked up at both Andrei and Misha. I couldn’t see their faces, but I was sure it was obvious they were angry. Giana asked, “do they both need to be here?”

around long enough, Giana. You know I don’t go anywhere without them,” I said,

know I could understand Italian, looked to me then back at Giana

does to the people who take it that I thought you were an addict. You don’t understand. In my family, addicts are the sc um

Or are you just sorry that you got caught judging me unfairly?” I could feel my anger starting to rise. Her apology was weak and she was still not taking ownership of her actions. “Or are

want to know the truth,” she said

situation,” I said. The guys both recognized the edge to my voice and tensed. Giana didn’t say anything,

not me. I learned about the effects of that drug to survive his repeated beatings. I learned how to wait it out long enough that the drug would make him pass out so I could lock myself in my room, hoping desperately that I would survive the night. I know all about the signs to look for when someone is on that drug because it literally meant life and death for me. I learned

false judgment. You assume that I’m prudish or ultra religious because I don’t want people to see my scars so they can judge me unfairly the same way you have. You see, I’ve dealt with people like you since I was a teenager. Those who find out the truth still find ways to look at me differently, but it’s not because of me. This isn’t on me, Giana. This is all on you and why you feel the need to try and tear me down to make yourself feel better, because that’s exactly what you’re doing. You just haven’t realized that there’s nothing bad you can say to me that hasn’t already been said. You’re allowed to think whatever you need to about me to make yourself feel better, but do not, under any circumstances, expect me

knew I never wanted to have this conversation in the first place. Giana was too stunned to talk when I finished. Andrei looked at her, saying, “that’s not even half of what she’s been through in her life. She’s survived things that I’m not sure I could’ve survived. She’s also been nothing but nice to you since you’ve been here. She’s the reason you and Mando are together now and this is how you choose to think of her? I hope you feel bad about this, Giana, I really, truly do. Because while Sephie is too nice to tell you how much you’ve hurt her over this, I don’t give a fu ck. You hurt her again and I can promise you, we won’t be able to hold back

was an urgent knock at Ms. Jackson’s door that interrupted our conversation. Misha and Andrei looked at each other, surprised. Andrei moved to the door, while Misha put himself between the door and me. Andrei looked through the peep ho le, then back to us, a small smile on his face. He opened the door to reveal a worried Adrik at the door. He walked into the apartment immediately, searching for me. Misha had stepped aside once Andrei started to open the

me to him. He looked at Giana at the table, a new look of worry on her face since he arrived. He looked back to me, saying, “well,

could still hear the anger

he said in English as he pulled me with him toward the door. Andrei, who was still standing

wall of the elevator. We could hear both of them laughing at us, but I didn’t care. This time, I didn’t realize how angry I