King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

chapter 345, that is the first chapter of the second book. There is no longer a need to go to the separate book. The second book is also not complete yet, but will be soon. Apologies for the confusion, this was not my

decision to make.

Sephie

As Adrik and Ivan were walking away from the kitchen, I asked everyone’s input on the type of cookie I should be making. I had no idea they would all have such strong feelings on what kind of cookie they needed, but it turned into quite a spirited debate.

“I just feel like regular chocolate chip cookies are classic. Timeless, really,” Misha said. “Like me.”

“But they’re boring. And overdone. And sometimes you get one that makes you wish you hadn’t taken a bite of cookie,” Stephen said, which made Viktor laugh. His deep belly laugh filled the kitchen.”

“Shortbread is the way to go. It might seem plain, but nothing made with that much butter can ever be bad,” Andrei said. “And you can also put frosting on them. Win-win.”

“I don’t know, I agree with both of you, but I feel like Andrei makes a very valid argument with the frosting,” I said, laughing at Misha’s indignant expression when he found out I agreed more with Andrei.

“You can put frosting on chocolate chip cookies, too,” he said.

“Feels like overkill that way,” Viktor said.

“I agree with Viktor,” I said, walking to the pantry for something. “What about you, Papa Bear? I feel like you’re a peanut butter guy. Simple, hardy, dependable, goes well with milk.” I could hear his deep laugh as I walked in the pantry.

“You’re right. It is my favorite. My wife used to make peanut butter cookies that she would dip in chocolate. It’s a miracle I didn’t gain 50 pounds the first year we were married. I think I talked her into making those cookies at least once a week,” Viktor said. He was smiling as he fondly remembered that period of his life.

“That sounds amazing, if I’m being honest,” I said, measuring out ingredients for the still to be determined cookies.

“They were. I don’t think there was anything special about them. It was just a peanut butter cookie, dipped in chocolate, but I couldn’t get enough of them,” he said.

“I’ll see if I can recreate them, if you like. But it might not be the same. The chef is always the secret ingredient,” I said.

Viktor smiled his sweet smile at me. “I will never turn down anything you make for me, sestrichka.”

I winked at Viktor, then turned to Stephen. I studied him for a minute, then said, “shi t, yours is a chocolate cookie, isn’t it?”

He laughed. “Why is that a bad thing?”

else. Of course that would be your favorite. They’re so deceptively complicated, but when it’s right,

talking about our favorite types of cookie would leave me so vulnerably diagnosed, but here we are,”

you, spider monkey?” Andrei asked.

“Guers.”

eyes as he tried to analyze me. “Sugar cookie?” he asked like he

wrong, but you’re not completely right

minute more, then I saw him get the answer. “Lemon sugar cookie,” he said, his

asked. I didn’t think I would stump him with my question, but I did. It

a hint of tangy. Not unlike

win,” I

part, but it would’ve taken me longer to get the rest,” Andrei said, laughing. “Stephen might be as good as me at reading

Ivan? What are your best guesses for

looked at each other, grinning. “Biscotti,” we both said at the

that even a cookie?” Misha asked.

happened that Ivan and Adrik walked back

daily,” Ivan said, laughing with us. “What on earth are you guys discussing?”

he saw the look on Ivan and Adrik’s faces. “It’s actually pretty

arms around my waist as he stood behind me. I had my hands full, so he rested his chin on my shoulder, watching what I was doing, happy to be near me. “I love you and your

It’s been very enlightening.”

your favorite cookie, Ivan?” Misha

I ever developed a taste for sweet things. But I’ll eat an entire package of biscotti if it’s in

Andrei and Misha both said

what?”

kitchen. That’s when I asked if it was even a cookie and Stephen asked if you were actually a real person,” Misha said,

did not hear them this time. I just heard Stephen ask if I was real.

against the counter beside me, his arms folded across his chest. He was watching everyone, laughing at

was not going to let this conversation d ie yet and I loved him

for a moment to find the answer. I smiled when

Sephie’s not allowed to answer. She’s clearly cheating. Andrei can’t answer either. They have a

bossy when it comes to cookies, my

watched Ivan and Viktor look at each other, then Viktor said, “it’s probably exactly the same one as Sephie. Maybe

that it was her favorite so he