King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

396

Sephie

Stephen had been nervous most of the day. I couldn’t say I blamed him, either. When it finally came time to leave for the hotel, he looked like he might back out. “What if I tell them I’m si ck?” he asked.

“You can tell them you’re si ck. You don’t have to see them this time, but you’re also just pushing off the inevitable. They’re going to keep coming back every few years. You’ll keep having this same reaction every few years, too. Or, you can go tonight, let us back you up, and see that your sisters are not as scary as you remember,” I said. “And maybe get some enjoyment out of me punching them. I don’t know. We’ll see what happens.”

He laughed. “Okay, okay. I’ll go.” He slid his arm around my shoulders. “Thank you,” he said, quiet enough that only I could hear.

“We’re all here for you, Yoden. Vlad would be here too, but he got caught up at customs. I keep telling him to make different shipping arrangements for himself but he never listens.”

He laughed again. “He is very stubborn,” he said, as he shook his head.

We purposely arrived early so that we would already be at the restaurant when his sisters arrived. They were noticeably shocked that we were the only ones in the restaurant. We were waiting for them at the front of the restaurant, to make it easier for us to be closer to Stephen when he had to see them. To them, it looked like we were all enjoying a drink before dinner. In reality, we were all sipping on water, waiting for their unraveling, as Misha put it.

“Is the restaurant open?” one of his sisters asked. I didn’t know their names. Much like Vitaliy’s men, I didn’t want to know their names.

“No, we had it closed,” Stephen said.

“Why?” she asked.

it

“Easier for what?”

to be here,” Adrik said, pointing to Vitaliy and Battista. While Adrik was capable of coming across as friendly, he was not putting one ounce of effort into it with these three. He had his intimidation factor up as high

already feel their displeasure at being spoken to that way. Clearly, they

sister that he was looking at. I caught his eye, raising my eyebrow at him. He discreetly pointed out the one he saw something on and shook his head no discreetly. He was in much better control this time than he was when we met Battista’s associate, but I still pushed a little of my anger to him for good measure. I was trying to keep it to low levels for now, as I left my contacts at home. I didn’t want my eyes changing just yet. Ivan was getting so sensitive to my moods

pay attention to their names. I would never care to know their names. I only cared that this was the only time I ever had to see them.

easily tell it was all an act. I caught Andrel’s eyes go wide a few times at he some of their thoughts as well. Rude didn’t even begin to describe what they were thinking. One of them, I’m gues disrespectful in her thoughts about literally every single one of the

as she saw so many

likely the

anyone

עוד

one

I’m guessing

unpleasant all

The

sure it wouldn’t last. Once the initial awkwardness wore off, we all started talking and laughing like normal. Vitaliy knew enough of what was going on that he asked plenty of questions to keep the conversation going, as did Battista. I could tell that Battista was catching my eyes changing just enough that he thought he might be noticing something, but he wasn’t sure.