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.

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 caught the small smile

“They’ll be back once

said, in Russian, just in case, “I did not like her tone.” He was clearly still angry about Giana thinking my knowledge of

her tone,

to Ivan, grinning, “but I’m

useful,” he said, winking at

office. “What did we miss?”

demons now,” Stephen said, completely straight-faced. While it wasn’t a lle, his delivery made it seem like he

which made all the guys laugh as well. I wiped the tears from my eyes, saying, “Yoden for the win, ladies 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 so funny, but

calm and quiet manner, “we’re

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

what he was

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

they don’t know. Very few people outside this room have seen my back and I’d like to keep it that way. Why do

because you’d been a user,” he said. He was trying to

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