King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

Chapter Two Hundred Eighty-Two

Sephie

I could hear them beating Ivan in the other room in my earpiece. He was provoking them as well. I trusted him to have a good reason for doing so, but it was looking more and more like we really were at the disadvantage here. Then, I heard it. My earpiece beeped. They’re close.

Armando had been contemplating his next move. He clearly decided that violence was the answer. He walked to me, angrier than I thought was humanly possible for him. “Do you know how long I’ve waited to do this?” he said as he punched me in the stomach. “Women are meant to be seen, not heard, but you can’t keep your f**king mouth shut. EVER.” His voice was just below a scream when he punched me a second time. I couldn’t do anything but take it, since I couldn’t even move my arms to protect myself.

“So, I’m guessing no pictures then?” I asked, just to pi ss him off more. Armando was stronger than Salvadori, but I’d definitely endured much worse. I could take this. Armando backhanded me, forcing me to take a step to the side to keep from falling down.

“My first wife didn’t know when to shut up either. Do you know what happened to her?” he asked as he punched me in the stomach another time. “I beat her to death when she wouldn’t shut up.”

“Did you get her h ooked on coke like you did Giana?” I asked. He paused for a moment. He didn’t know we knew about Giana’s little habit. “You know cocaine is a stimulant, you dumb motherf**ker. If you want them to be quieter, you should’ve gone with heroin. Or got them h ooked on another opioid.” I had him confused for a second. Clearly, he didn’t know the differente. “Seriously? This is news to you? How have you lasted this long in the business? You’re too f**king st upid to be a criminal mastermind. Who’s pulling your strings, puppet?”

Okay, I might’ve gone a little overboard there, judging by his reaction. I also knew that whoever was connected to my earpiece would be able to hear this, so I was trying to get as much information out of him as I could. Armando had lost complete control and was just beating me as severely as he could manage. He finally hit me so hard that I fell to the floor. That opened the door for him to kick me. I tried to curl up as tight as I could, but it wasn’t easy with my hands behind my back and my ankles chained to the floor. I felt my left shoulder dislocate after one of his kicks and I screamed. I had been able to stay silent, as I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction, but I couldn’t hold it in when my shoulder came out of its socket. Armando delivered a second kick to the same arm and I felt my bone break.

from me when we both heard an explosion. It rocked the building. He cursed under his breath. I just laughed at him. “You’re a dead man,” I said, coughing up blood. I was

voice in my ear. I just cleared my

said.

torso. We could clearly hear gunshots now.

end of the block just exploded. The guys downstairs went to check it out. They found us,” one of the guys

said.

starting to have trouble breathing. I think he broke my ribs. They looked down at me, confused. “Excited to see your buddies we killed? Because

you can answer, how many are on the floor with you?” Stephen asked in my ear. Since Ivan was alone now, he said,

anyone else, but we’ve been kept in a room the whole time. Princess, cough once if that’s all you’ve

I don’t know where they took Sephie, but there’s a short hallway to the side of the front offices. I’m guessing that’s where she is.”

“Thanks, Seph.”

Ivan had been talking, Armando was trying to formulate a plan with the two guys. He pulled his phone out to make a call. Whoever he called didn’t

jump. Otherwise, you’re going to have a long, slow, painful death,” I said. “Especially you, Armando. Once Ghost sees me like this, you’re going to know pain like you’ve never known it before.” I heard all the guys cursing quietly in my earpiece. I said, in Russian, “his bu tthole just clenched a little.” I couldn’t keep

do with her and the guy in the other room?” one