King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

Chapter Two Hundred Eleven

Sephie

“You were talking in your sleep, solnishko. You don’t remember?” he asked, now clearly worried.

I thought for a moment. “I don’t remember anything. What did I say?”

“You were pleading with the doctor, trying to convince him not to do the procedure,” he said. His face looked almost haunted.

“Shi t. I’m sorry,” I said, glancing around the room. Chris and Keith were gone, but the guys were still there.

“Why would you ever apologize for that, princess?” Ivan asked.

“Because I saw what hearing me on the plane did to all of you. You guys don’t need to carry the burden of all my trauma.” I glanced at Misha, who was clearly struggling. It suddenly hit me why he was struggling. “Especially Misha, who’s still beating himself up for teasing me about being pregnant, even though he had no idea when he said it.” His face turned red as he tried to control his emotions. He was staring at the floor, his elbows on his knees, trying to maintain control. I quietly got off the couch and leaned over his back. “Don’t make me bring back the emotional support sloth,” I said, as I draped myself over his upper body, I whispered to him, so only he could hear, “I still love you, my adorable Russian guardian. You didn’t know. I can’t be mad at you. I couldn’t be mad at that face anyway. Like it’s physically impossible you’re so adorable.”

He reached up and held onto my arms that were around his neck as he laughed. I kissed his cheek. “Promise you’ll stop beating yourself up?” He nodded. “Good. Because my hands still hurt, so I don’t want to beat you up for real over this.”

look of worry on his face, but he was trying to mask it. I walked back to him, still feeling guilty for what I’d clearly just put them all through. He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me, almost

we were on the elevator, I looked up at him. “Is everything okay?” He was silent for the short ride

me. He looked hurt. “It’s not okay, Sephie. How long have you been struggling with

happened? What

share the best parts of yourself with me, but shu t me out when you’re hurting. I love you, Sephie. All of you. The best parts of you, the worst parts of you, the parts of you that like to be bratty just to get

how to react. I just stood there, for once, not having the slightest clue on what

voice was softer, but there was still a look

what?” I asked, completely

then?” he asked,

I didn’t intentionally shu t you out, then I had no clue what to do, then you were standing in front of me,” I said. I was starting to feel anxious. I

zoned out. I had to touch you to

I took a step back from him. “I didn’t know!” I said, the tears started to fall. “I’m

after that night in the basement with your uncle?” His voice was much softer now. His hands running lightly over my back, trying to comfort me. I nodded my head again.

got really bad at my uncle’s house. I don’t remember

sense,” he said as he pulled