King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

Chapter Two Hundred Ten

Sephie

We continued talking for another hour or so, running through possibilities on how to handle the situation. We went through every what if scenario we could think of for what would happen if the shipment did get out. We were going to have to trust that the dealers wouldn’t sell it if they were successful in getting the shipments switched.

“Of course, that brings up another problem,” I said, as we were discussing their success at switching the shipments. They all looked to me, waiting for me to elaborate. “Withdrawals,” I said.

The guys caught on quickly, but Armando and Giana were still confused. “What do you mean?” Giana asked.

“When you’re a regular drug user, your body needs that drug to function. When you don’t give it that drug, your body revolts and makes it painful until you give it that drug. Depending on the drug you’ve been using, the withdrawals can be, well, dramatic,” I said.

“How do you know so much about this?” she asked, her tone had a hint of accusation behind it.

Adrik caught it. I felt him tense. Before I could answer, Ivan said, “everyone knows this.” His tone was harsh, but it was exactly what was needed to end that conversation. He continued, “so, we’re going to need to give the police and the hospitals a head’s up as well, should they be successful with switching the shipments. That’s going to create its own chaos in the city.” He rubbed his face with his hands. “Fu ck,” he said. “It might be worth having a conversation with a few doctors to find out what’s needed to be able to handle that scenario.”

“I know a guy. He should be able to keep his mo uth shu t,” I said, winking at Ivan. I turned to look at Adrik. “But can we bring him here this time?” He smiled softly at me, nodding his head. “I’ll make a call in the morning,” he said. I glanced back to Ivan, who was clearly relieved.

think of for the evening. It was beginning to get late, so Armando and Glana took their leave. Chris and Keith got up to go with them, but Keith asked Viktor if they could come back once Armando and Giana were safely in for the night. Viktor nodded his head. I

be back once Armando and Giana are

tone.” He was clearly still angry about Giana thinking my knowledge of drugs was because I was a

did not like her tone, either,” Adrik

very sheltered life up until she met Armando. It’s not necessarily her fault,” I said. I looked to Ivan, grinning, “but I’m very grateful you shu t that conversation down as quickly as you did. I’m starting to love your demons, Super Squish.”

he said, winking at me.

walked back into the office. “What did we miss?” Chris asked.

and we’re talking about demons now,” Stephen said, completely straight-faced. While it wasn’t a lle, his delivery made it seem like

and gentlemen.” A few more laughs made it out before I finally gained my composure. “Ah, shi t. I don’t know why that was

in his usual calm and quiet manner, “we’re all a bit

face suddenly very serious. “Sephie, is it okay if I ask you a personal

what he was going to

shi t in your life. Armando and Giana don’t know about that, do they?” he asked, timidly. He glanced

my back and I’d like to keep it

when she kind of implied your knowledge of withdrawals was because you’d been a user,” he said.

led a sheltered, mostly privileged life. Her brain struggles to comprehend that everyone doesn’t live like she does. She has her own set of problems that come with that, though. It’s neither better nor worse than what I’ve dealt with. In her mind, her problems are just as bad as what I’ve had to deal with. Doesn’t make her a bad person. Life will eventually find a way of opening her eyes to other possibilities. Or it won’t and she’ll become even more close-minded and judgmental. It could go either way,