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?”

f**k up a chocolate cookie faster than anything else. Of course

that talking about our favorite types of cookie would leave me so vulnerably

spider monkey?”

“Guers.”

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

not wrong, but you’re not completely right either. Keep going, Bubba,”

answer. “Lemon sugar cookie,” he said, his

“But why, though?” 1 asked. I didn’t think I would stump him with my question, but I did. It was actually Stephen that answered.

with a hint of tangy. Not unlike you,” he said, smiling at

win,”

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

best

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

even a

Ivan and Adrik walked back in right as he said that which caused

I ask myself that question almost daily,” Ivan said, laughing with us. “What on earth are

everyone’s favorite cookie is and what it says about them,” Andrei said, laughing loudly when he saw the look on Ivan and Adrik’s faces.

wrapping his 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

lying. It’s been very enlightening.” I said, still laughing.

favorite cookie, Ivan?” Misha asked.

a kid, so I don’t think I ever developed a taste for sweet things. But I’ll eat an entire package of biscotti if it’s in

Andrei and

what?” Ivan

cookie before you two came back to the kitchen. That’s when I asked if it was even a cookie and

hear them this time.

counter beside me, his arms folded across his chest. He was watching everyone, laughing at our silliness, enjoying a moment of peace before what we all knew was

his favorite?” Misha asked. He was not going to let this conversation d ie yet and I loved

a moment to find the answer. I

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

very bossy when it comes to

look at each other, then Viktor said, “it’s probably exactly the same one as

because he knew as a 5-year-old that it was her favorite