King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

388

Sephie

Vitaliy and Aleksei came with us to the penthouse once we returned from meeting with Battista. Vitaliy declared he was si ck of meeting with people he hadn’t seen in years. “There is a reason I haven’t seen them in years,” he said, grumpily.

Adrik couldn’t hide his smile as he looked at me. I think it still surprised him to see this side of his father, but the more he saw it, the more he was enjoying it. It made me happy to see him finally comfortable around his father. I knew he’d spent much of his life feeling intimidated by Vitaliy and worried that he would end up just like him. Now, he was starting to see that wasn’t necessarily all bad. Vitaliy had some very good parts to him. He just struggled to show the people he cared about.

“Vitaliy, I think it’s time to maybe consider that you are a warm and fuzzy guy. Despite what you think,” Stephen said, placing his hand on Vitaliy’s shoulder. We could always count on Stephen to be as sarcastic as possible while delivering a heartfelt message.

Vitally cut his eyes over at Stephen as they both laughed. It made my heart so happy to see both of them laughing.

As I made dinner, with everyone’s help, Vitaliy and Aleksei both relaxed and talked more than they had previously. They both seemed to genuinely enjoy our company. They entertained us with stories from the days when Vitaliy ruled the city. He gave us funny anecdotes about the current bosses, as well as the bosses before them.

Apparently, Vitaliy had a habit of causing his own chaos between the bosses, just for fun. He finally admitted that he would interfere with the bosses” plans, but make it look like it was one of the other bosses that did it. He liked to keep them fighting among themselves so they would leave him alone.

“Clearly, that’s not a lesson I ever learned. I thought keeping the order between them would mean peace in the city,” Adrik said, shaking his head at his father’s antics.

“Eh, it did mean peace. But there’s something about humans that need adversity in order to be happy. If you make conditions too good for too long. people forget what had is. The good starts to feel less good. Sometimes you need bad to remember what good really is,” Vitaliy said.

The guys looked at me. I stopped what I was doing and smiled at them all “He speaks no lies.”

gently caught my arm, pulling me toward him He didn’t say a word, he just pulled me to him, wrapping his massive arms around me. I knew he was thanking me for baking him a treat and giving

the secret ingredient, but so are you, sestrichka. I won’t say no to

suggestions for improvements next time, if you want to give them,” I said, my

I needed.” He kissed my cheek. before stepping away to join the conversation once more. Stephen caught my eye as Viktor was walking away from me. winked in appreciation for his help

during the day. We rarely saw him, but he almost always made it back so he and

guys they can come up too, I can make more food,” I said one night.

other and laughed. “The two new guys don’t want to. I need the other two to keep an eye on them. I don’t trust them when they’re on their own in a new place,” Vitaliy

of teaching them manners,” Aleksei

why do

hard to find good people these days. They’re better than nothing. For

still working on getting guys for Trina. I can help you find guys to replace them while you’re here, if you like,” he said.

said, “might be worth a look. If we can find better replacements, we can get rid of the

flowers.”

going to need as much help as they can get soon,” Stephen said, completely straight-faced,

shocked, looking to Stephen like he knew something the rest of us didn’t. We all tried to hold in the laughter, but we couldn’t make it happen. Vitaliy and Aleksei knew something was off, but still had no clue that Vlad wasn’t a real, live person and Turkey

For now.

had retired to their rooms on the other side of the penthouse, I caught

said, “you don’t know whether

I’m finding myself enjoying spending time with my father. He’s completely different than the man I’ve known my entire life. But I’d