King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

Chapter Three Hundred Twenty-One

Adrik

“We’ve got enough evidence for the police to lock Ricardo up for a very long time, but if the mayor is in Ricardo’s pocket, he won’t go through with it. We’re trying to work around that, if possible. It’s a good move for the people of the city to see their politicians appearing to be tough on crime. We’ve gift-wrapped the doctor that created brawn and now Ricardo for them. We’re just not sure this mayor will do anything with either, yet,” I said.

“You got the guy that created brawn?” Trino asked, surprised. “I knew you stopped their plan. I didn’t know you got the guy that created it in the first place.” He looked at Gus, like he was angry about not being fold.

“I didn’t know either. I didn’t not tell you on purpose, Jefe,” Gus said, defensively.

I chuckled. “We kept it quiet. He’s a piece of work. We didn’t want word getting around that we knew who he is and risk him running. The police have been after him for 10 years,” I said.

“Why so long?” Trino asked.

“He’s been wanted for other reasons. He’s a doctor. He does backroom procedures for cash. He’s been doing procedures against people’s will for years, but he would use a specific anesthesia combination that wiped people’s memories, so nobody could remember what he looked like,” Ivan said.

“How did you find him, then?” Trino asked, curious.

“I remembered what he looked like. His drugs didn’t work on me,” Sephie said.

“Miha. Why did you go to him?” Trino asked.

“It was not by choice. But at least I could remember what he looked like. I gave the police a sketch of him. One of Sal’s guys who’s been feeding us information when it’s convenient for him recognized him and told us he was the one behind the brawn,” she said.

“So many coincidences that they become mathematically impossible,” Trino said. He looked at Sephie very seriously. “Miha, you were always meant to be with Jefe.”

She leaned her head back so she could somewhat see me. “I know,” she said sweetly.

We continued talking about possible outcomes for dealing with Ricardo and the remaining bosses, as well as the Mexicans. We ordered food while we kept talking. Misha and Andrei ran upstairs to make Sephie’s broth and get her antibiotic. She managed to eat a few bites of my food, but that’s all she wanted. During a lull in the conversation, Misha said in Russian, “I’m surprised you’re still awake, gazelle. Are you doing okay? Me and Andrei can go upstairs with you if you need to rest.”

“I’m okay, my adorable Russian guardian. At least for a little while longer,” Sephie said, smiling at him.

“How’s Martin?” Sephie asked Trino. “Why didn’t he come with you?” It was a seemingly innocent question, but I knew that Sephie rarely asked questions for no reason. I glanced at Misha, who got his usual faraway look that meant he was looking for Martin.

“Martin ha tes to travel, especially to the states. Especially in winter,” Trino said. He seemed slightly tense when he answered her, where he’d been completely relaxed before.

at Sephie. She said quietly, in Russian, “he’s lying.” Andrei nodded in agreement. Misha cleared his throat, signaling that he’d seen something but it was over. I glanced around the room,

truth and let it drop or do you want to tell me what happened?” Sephie asked,

thinks Sephie is a witch. While he was cursing, Sephie asked Andrei, who

clearly. I need Sephie or Andrei to see it clearer, but

see what Trino wanted to do. When he didn’t answer, she instead asked another question. “Was Martin

took over by

need to be careful, Trino. Martin has been loyal to you up until now, but this disagreement has caused a bigger divide between you than you realize. He thinks his solution is better, but he doesn’t understand the violence needed when

they’re going to be scared of her from now on. Good. Trino looked

only be uncomfortable talking about him if you two had a disagreement. The only thing you could disagree on that is big

you,” Stephen said to Trino,

save, princess,” Ivan said in

understand how they do business. They are not to be trusted. Ever. They understand violence, though. They’ve been quiet since I took over

in his voice.

they’ve already made one attempt your life, they’ve been emboldened by whatever it was. They’re not going to give that up easily,

Mexicans that I glossed over before. I need to go back and check,

tonight, for Sephie’s sake.” I could feel her getting tired, but she was still fighting it. Her ribs

I want to always be on your side,”

to go to the penthouse alone. Once we were in the bedroom, 1 started to help her undress. She still struggled to get her jeans on and off easily with one hand. “Trino’s guys totally think

a little too much. They were all so nervous. It’s too bad they don’t normally talk around me. I could’ve really creeped them out. Maybe I’ll scare Gus and Oscar next

he’s not in Colombia. We’ll have to see what else Misha can see tomorrow,”

think it’s going to be good news if he sees more,” she said quietly as she laid down on her good side.

entire day,” I said, wrapping

I could feel her relax as she pressed her body closer to mine. Her breathing slowed and I heard her make her cooing noises as she drifted off to sleep almost immediately.

face when I first woke in the mornings. I brushed her curls from her face and felt

Twenty-one

her a few more minutes to finally wake up. Wi sweetly. Since she wasn’t

gorgiou ched up and ran her fingers lights through

And your the. It doesn’t hurt you?

much. I

eves once more. I

She laughed quieth

I knew I had to stop or