King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

Sephie

We had made plans to return to the city the following morning. Vitaliy had agreed to come back with us, but he was going to come up a couple days behind us. He said he needed to take care of a few things in Panama before leaving.

I had quietly snuck off to the bedroom to take my contacts out for a few minutes. I told Adrik where I was going and what I was doing, so he wouldn’t worry about me. I knew he was going to worry about me anyway. I didn’t want to interrupt his conversation, but my eyes were itching so bad that I couldn’t take it. I needed some relief for at least a few minutes. Contacts were highly overrated.

I sat down on the end of the bed, rubbing my eyes, finally getting some relief. I felt a slight breeze, so I opened my eyes. I didn’t remember a door or window being open. When I looked up, there was a woman standing in front of me. At first, I was startled, but she looked familiar somehow. She smiled sweetly at me, then asked, “you can see me?”

I nodded my head, wondering why she would ask that question as I could see her standing plain as day in front of me. She caught on to my confusion. “You’re the only one who’s been able to see me. Or hear me. You really are special,” she said.

I gasped. “You’re Vitaliy’s wife. Adrik’s mother. You’re Lena. How can I see you right now?” Her smile widened. She took a step closer to me and I saw her eyes. The same eyes that I adored on her son. “This has never happened before,” I said, completely taken aback.

“I wanted to thank you,” she said. “I keep an eye on Vitaliy, but I don’t always stay with him. I have other responsibilities. That’s how I met your father. He told me I could make this happen.”

“He always talks to me in my dreams. Never when I’m awake. Except that one time when he swooped in, but even then, I didn’t see him. Did he show you his swooping?” I asked, grinning at her.

She laughed. “You’re very much like him.” She walked closer to me, sitting on the bed beside me. I felt the bed dip as she sat down, like she was completely real. I could see that Adrik got her smile, along with her eyes. The softness in his face came from her as well. He favored his father, but she made his father’s harsh good looks softer.

I was taking

to get over. He used to say he could get lost in my eyes. Seeing

still very much in love with you,”

love we have is much the same as the Jove you have for my son. It’s not an average relationship. It’s…” she paused like she was trying to find the

“Eternal,” I said.

warm. Similar to Adrik’s touch. “Sephie, I want to thank you. I knew you were coming for my son, but I had no idea the role you would play in my husband’s life as well. Or how you would bring them

done anything. I don’t think there’s anything to thank me

is just the beginning. Part of what makes you unique is your ability to know what the people you care about need, even before they do. Even without you being aware of it. I know you’ve

I think Adrik was right. I’m just really good at getting grumpy old men to laugh. That’s all,” I said, grinning at her. Curiosity got the best of me, so I asked, “were you special like Vitaliy and Adrik too?”

comes from your father. But much like you, I accepted Vitaliy for who he was completely. There is much to be said for being someone’s safe harbor. Vitaliy, much like Adrik, has a giant heart for those he cares about. He just has a difficult time showing it. Adrik is much

was a cheeseball in there,” I said, chewing on my bottom

you’ll tell him that.

no small feat,” I said. She smiled sweetly at me, brushing another curl back from my face as we both studied each other.

about you the way Vitaliy used to worry about me. Ivan is almost as bad. Those men are good men, Sephie. All of them. I know you know, but they need to know that the Universe knows how good they are. Please tell them I’m sorry for making them worry,” she

worried about me? It’s only been a few

much longer for them, which is why I need to apologize. Tell them I promise not