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.”

to the penthouse opened and Ms. Jackson was escorted inside by Ivan and Andrei. “Child, you have

didn’t want to risk 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

apology for that. I had no idea there was an issue between you and Giana. She made it seem like she just wanted to 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

mad. Didn’t detract from how adorable he was, though, so my working theory that he

we left?” Andrei

poor girl the riot act. I still don’t know exactly what happened, but I gather she accused Sephle of using drugs. Spend any amount of time around that child and It’s obvious she’s got giant demons in 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.

looked at each other. Ms. Jackson, of course, noticed. “So, I’m

got confirmation

the world if people would just figure out that others will always accuse you of what they’re afraid of you finding out they’re doing.” Ms. Jackson

a very sharp woman. “Has she talked to you much

apologize to Sephie. Armando, to his credit, has been trying to help her grow up. She did tell me that her father lost a substantial amount of money because

Ivan. Stephen was right. She’s likely been a plant all along. Since Ms. Jackson could understand

reminds me, child. Since when do you know Italian?” she

Maybe Misha isn’t the only one still slightly angry

about them at all?” I asked, trying to steer

never in a good 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 wants to go back to Italy, but it also sounds like she was unhappy when she was in Italy,” she said.

until she learns that she’s the one responsible for her own

end of the month, that she would be gone for a few weeks. She said she finally talked him into taking her back to Italy.