King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

Chapter Three Hundred Twenty-Three

Adrik

“Squish is right. I did not know holding back was an option,” she said.

Viktor walked in with Trino, who looked quite nervous. “Jefe, what’s going on?” he asked.

Before I could answer, Sephie said, “Trino, Martin is going to be killed. I can explain how I know, but I think you already have an idea of how I know. I’ve seen it. It’s going to be very violent and it’s going to be a very public declaration of war.”

Trino cursed in Spanish. “I told him that negotiations were pointless.”

“He’s there now, Trino. Have you talked to him since you’ve been in the city?” I asked.

“No, Jefe. I told him when I left to stay in Colombia since he wouldn’t come with me.”

“He didn’t listen. He’s in Mexico. You’re the only one that would be able to convince him to get out of there before they ki ll him. He still has a chance to escape, but not for long. He has to leave now,” Sephie said. She had an urgent edge to her voice that Trino heard. He looked at her thoughtfully for a moment, then pulled his phone from his pocket. We listened to his conversation with Martin, but no one could understand it. It got heated, then ended with Trino clearly pleading with Martin. He took a moment to collect himself once the call ended, then looked to Sephie.

“Miha, you have the gift. My grandmother did too. I thought you might because you know too much,” he said, smiling at her. “You were right. He’s in Mexico. I told him what would happen if he stayed. I don’t know if he’s going to listen to me. He’s very stubborn.”

I glanced at Misha who was checking on the potential outcomes. He ran his hand up and down his arm to rub out the goosebumps. Sephie noticed, too. “He’ll listen,” she said. Trino sighed, clearly stressed about the entire situation.

“Even if he gets out, they’re still likely to declare war,” Ivan said. “Ricardo is using them as an army to try and overthrow Boss. You’re their reward for helping Ricardo.”

I recognized one or two of the curse words that came out of Trino’s mo uth, since Sephie had clued me in on what they meant. She tried not to laugh, but she was always so amused at Trino’s tirades.

“Don’t worry. If it comes to that, we’ll help you stop it. We’re looking for ways to prevent it, though,” I said. Trino simply nodded his head.

He looked at Sephie, a sly smile evident on one side of his mo uth. “My guys are all scared of you now, Miha. They’re going to struggle to be in the same room as you after they hear about this.”

While I hadn’t thought much about it the night before, I suddenly had a strong feeling of unease when it came to Trino’s guys being around Sephie.

shoulders. “You can tell them I don’t pry, but they’re not going to listen. But make sure they understand what will happen to them if they think burning the witch is a thing that should be brought back. Feel free to embellish as much as you want on that one,” she said very seriously. I tensed at the thought, my anger unexpectantly rising to the surface. I knew she felt it as she

completely shocked, as well as afraid. She was using it to her advantage. Just for emphasis, all the guys stood up and surrounded her as she stepped back to me, I felt Ivan’s protective bubble around us as he told Trino that it was best to stay with us, rather than against us. I felt Sephie’s

worries. That will never be a problem. I’ll take care of it myself if one of them even thinks of doing

in front of her. I felt the bubble disappear as he turned to look at her. His face softened immediately when he looked

word, it will not be a problem, Miha,” Trino said. Sephie simply nodded her

Nephr

“Alv

of your

They’re godių

after they hear about this,” Trine said.

even though he knew that Brind’s pays were now scared of non as of the night before. As I thought about his words, a sudden thought pepped bato my

happen to them if they think burning the witch

mine. I knew my eyes were going dark,

I want

tell his guys to fear me. “Your guys or not, I will and them

said As already, but I didn’t care. wanded Tring to If

he shrunk back from me. I took a step toward him, just to drive my point home, as I spoke The didn’t say a word, they just moved urround me and Adnk. Tring was roughly my height, so they all towered over him. They food advantage

rip Trine apart if I said the word at that moment. Any of them

Trin. I felt his protective bubble go up around me, which also fed into my anger. I could hear Ivan tell Trino, “It’s best if you’re with us, rather than against us.” could vaguely hear Trine’s response, but it was difficult to understand his words with Ivan’s bubble of protection around me, I stepped back against Adrik, his hand on my waist. I put my hand on top of his, hoping

I was. When I took a step back against Adrik, Ivan closed the distance between us, staying directly in front of me. I smiled, knowing

and his face immodiately

I said quietly to all of them

simply nodded. Whatever had given me the idea in

minutes longer, but eventually took his leave. He promised to keep us updated on

Mexico or not.

looked to Adrik, smiling. He raised his eyebrow, then kissed me gently. “It was different again,” he said. He looked to Ivan, asking, “can you

angry a handful of times and it’s always resulted in