King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

Chapter Two Hundred Eighty-Eight

Sephie

I looked at Ivan, noting that he’d been cleaned up and had a fresh set of clothes on. “How?” I asked, pointing at him. I was sure they would know what I was asking, so I didn’t feel the need to elaborate or use any more energy than absolutely necessary.

“The recording of you playing worked so the doctor could stitch him up and make sure nothing was broken. We’ve all been listening to it off and on while Ivan sleeps. So far, he hasn’t woken up fighting.” Misha said.

I looked at Ivan, remembering him standing over me the last time the doctor checked me. “What made you protect me from the doctor?” I asked, my voice still only barely above a whisper.

He raised his eyebrow. “How do you know that, princess?”

“I can feel you now too. Not as strong though.” I stopped to take a breath. “I could hear all your conversations too. I just couldn’t move,” I said, trying to breathe as deeply as I could.

“Really?” Adrik and Ivan both asked at the same time. I laughed quietly at them, nodding my head.

“Different, though,” I said. I looked back at Ivan, still wanting to know what the doctor did. “You were right to do what you did. It felt gross whatever he did.”

“He was looking at you the way the doctors at the facility looked at me when they were excited about a new experiment they wanted to try on me,” Ivan said.

clothes off,” I said, taking as deep a breath as I could manage after getting the words out. I coughed once, which made Andrei quickly get more water for me. “You’re my favorite, Bubba,” I said as he handed me a full

out by

gone

his cheek against mine, trying to help me stay calm. I took as deep a breath as I could. When I opened my eyes and looked at the guys, they were all

you were not lying, Ivan,” Misha said. He looked at Adrik. “Does she feel calm to you, Boss?” I felt Adrik nod his head, his cheek still pressed lightly to mine. I was smiling at them, knowing they were talking about my eyes. I didn’t feel out of control angry,

they had us,” Ivan said. “But she never once lost her cool.” He looked at me with a look of pride on

in to check on me. “Oh, good.

sure to stay close to me while he was in the room. Adrik pulled me closer to him as the doctor approached the bed. Even though it hurt, I was grateful for him doing so. “How are you

t,” I said

you take a deep breath in?” I did as instructed. My ribs were still incredibly painful, so I couldn’t breathe as deeply as I wanted to. “Good.” He looked at Adrik, asking, “have you heard her wheezing at all?” Adrik shook his head no. “What

when she tries to talk too

Take everything very slowly. It’ll make it easier on your lungs to keep up. I’d like to take the chest tube

get out of bed?” I

you can walk for short distances. You’ll need to take your IV stand with you, but a little bit of movement will be good for the rest

meds that would knock me out for days at a time. I would rather suffer through it. Ivan caught my eye. I looked at him sternly, trying to silently tell him to keep

do I feel like you’re lying?” Dr.