King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

Chapter Two Hundred Fifty-Seven

Sephie

Viktor and Stephen were busy with their normal Master of the Schedule duties, as Adrik had another busy day. I recruited Misha, Ivan, and Andrei to help me get Ms. Jackson up to the penthouse, hopefully without Giana knowing. Since Glana used the excuse of having afternoon tea with Ms. Jackson, I wanted to have a chance to talk to her early enough in the day that she would be home should Giana stop by later.

Ivan and Andrei volunteered to go fetch her while Misha stayed in the penthouse with me. “I have to admit that I’m still angry with Ms. Jackson for setting up Giana’s ambush of you,” Misha said as we waited.

“I know, my adorable Russian guardian. I’m hoping that she simply wasn’t aware of what was going on when she set it up, but I do plan on asking. You know how quick she is, she might’ve caught on when you told me we didn’t have to stay,” I said. He laughed, shaking his head. “What?” I asked,

“You always do that.”

“Do what?”

“Give people the benefit of the doubt, second chances, third chances, 500 chances in the case of Max,” Misha said, rolling his

eyes.

I thought for a moment. “I know I do. Sometimes I think it’s a fault, but I refuse to see how thinking the best of someone is a bad thing. It’s gotten me hurt and taken advantage of plenty of times in my life. You’d think I would’ve learned by now, but I just can’t help myself. I still see the good parts of people. Most people.”

and Ms. Jackson was escorted inside by Ivan and Andrei. “Child, you have fully realized your power if you’ve

being ambushed again,” Misha said. He had an edge to his voice that wasn’t usually there, especially around her. He was definitely still angry with

spend time with you. As soon as you saw her, I knew there was an issue.” She looked right at Misha. “Then when you told her she didn’t need to stay, I figured out Giana must’ve done something. She put me right in the middle, which is not somewhere I like to be, but I was trying to make the best of it.” She looked between me and Misha. “I owe you both an apology. Child, I wouldn’t have called you down there if I knew that was going to happen. And you, sir,

Slightly less mad, but still mad. Didn’t detract from how adorable he was,

after we left?” Andrei asked Ms.

her past. Those kinds of demons only show up when there’s drugs involved or abuse and Sephle had both. Glana is a nice enough girl, but if I’m being honest, she’s an idi ot. She can’t see past her own nose. I don’t have a way to prove it, but I’d be willing to bet she accused Sephie of doing the exact thing she’s

other. Ms. Jackson, of course, noticed. “So, I’m right then? She’s the

“We got confirmation of

out that others will always accuse you of what they’re afraid of you finding out they’re doing.” Ms. Jackson said. She thought for a moment, then looked to me. “I’m guessing there’s more to it than just her killing herself slowly? I can’t imagine you needing to summon me for just

at her. She really was a very sharp woman. “Has she

tell me that her father lost a substantial amount of money because of Armando. She said it happened years ago, but Armando still feels bad about it. It’s why she got the job as his assistant. That girl can barely assist herself. She said she didn’t even know

plant all along. Since Ms. Jackson could understand Russian, I couldn’t say anything, so I chose to

Since when do you

Ivan said abruptly. Maybe Misha isn’t the only one still slightly angry with

at all?” I asked, trying

light. She told me her family was wealthy, but they’re controlling. She said her father still tries to control her life, even though he’s in Italy and she’s here. Not much else that I can remember. She’s been unhappy since she got here. She

unhappy wherever she goes until she learns that she’s the one responsible for her own happiness,” I said. “Are they making any plans to go back to Italy? Has

said she finally talked him into taking her back to Italy. She apparently ha tes the cold and