King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

Chapter Three Hundred Twenty-Four

Sephle

Adrik, Ivan, Viktor, and Stephen paid another visit to Armando that evening. I’d needed a short nap after the morning’s festivities, but I was managing to stay awake for much longer. And my appetite was coming back slowly. I could snack periodically throughout the day without too much trouble, which was giving me more energy finally.

Misha and Andrei were both happy to stay with me in the penthouse while the others went downstairs to torture Armando.

“How do I get more details, spider monkey?” Andrei ‘asked while they were heating up yet more broth for me.

I thought for a minute. “I’m honestly not sure how to answer that, Bubba. I haven’t always had all the details I get now come so easily. The more I practice, the more details I get. I think time is the answer. The more you use it, the clearer everything will be. Same as Misha. The more he uses his gift, the clearer it gets. I think there will come a time when he won’t need anyone else as a battery, too. I think he’ll be able to do it on his own just as well as he can with us,” I said.

“Really? You think so?” Misha asked. He was clearly surprised at the thought of not needing anyone to see his visions.

“I do. It doesn’t make sense that you would always need me or Andrei to make it work. You didn’t need me in the beginning. I just made it different. Once you master it, you should be able to do it on your own. Which I think you’re getting closer to, if you could tell the difference between me and Bubba this morning.” I said.

“Yeah, that reminds me, how did you know the difference?” Andrei asked. “And how did you know I was holding back? I didn’t even know I was holding back.”

“With Sephie, it feels like she’s showing me how to do it, even though she has no idea how it works. There’s still this calm direction from her when she helps me, but I can tell that she’s jumped in with both feet. With you, Andrei, you really have no idea what’s going on still, you’re just along for the ride. But you’re hoping you don’t d ie in the process,” Misha said, laughing.

“That sounds accurate,” Andrei said. He was laughing as well, not really knowing what else to say.

“This is all a little weird, if we’re being honest. It’s a lot to take in,” I said.

“Was it hard for you, spider monkey? You didn’t have anybody when you discovered you could do this, did you?” Andrei asked.

there was something wrong with me, not gonna lie. But I’ve shown it more to you guys than I ever did to anyone else. Even my m om. Little bits here and there with her before she died, but I mostly kept to myself. It was only just starting when she was still alive. It’s gotten much stronger as I get older. Then I met you guys and I feel like I skipped ahead like ten levels. I’ve been more open with it this year than

about the bosses, you were timid about it. But you were always right.”

meant to happen the way it did. You guys seeing it in me helped you see it in yourselves. There’s something special about Viktor and Stephen too, but they’re still scared

on what it is

yeah. Of course we should,” I said, laughing.

his sense of humor that nobody knew existed until you

I asked. “And Viktor is still the father figure of the group. He just goes about his

had yet another snack when Adrik and the rest

leaning down to kiss me. “I’m happy you’re still awake,

he ready to take you up on the offer this time?” I asked. I grabbed Adrik’s hand with my one free hand, inspecting his knuckles. He

listening to you, Seph. I think he’s cried himself to sleep more often than not lately,” Stephen said. While

you’re the reason for

reading, Seph. Not the other way around,” he said, trying

going to learn your secret for your in sane mastery of your facial expressions,” I said. His smile stretched across his face. “It’s one of my best tricks,” he said, grinning at me. “I could not agree more,” I said.

did you just take

the Mexicans. He also said it was Lorenzo’s idea to go to them,”

Mexicans first. He promised

it means the Mexicans are not going to stop coming for Trino until Sal and Ricardo are stopped and maybe not even then. We might not be able to wait on Henry to figure his life the f**k out,” I said, finishing up my latest snack. When I looked up, they were all looking at me, completely amused.

might be my favorite version,” Misha said, laughing.

and I all felt fairly certain that he would make it out, but we also

one of his normal security guys were with him, but the rest of his men chose to stay in the lobby.