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?”

up a chocolate cookie faster than anything else. Of course that would be your favorite. They’re so deceptively complicated, but

never would have guessed that talking about our favorite types of cookie would leave me so vulnerably diagnosed,

about you, spider monkey?”

“Guers.”

tried to analyze me. “Sugar cookie?”

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

get the answer. “Lemon

though?” 1 asked. I didn’t think I would stump him with my question, but I

of tangy. Not unlike you,” he said, smiling

the win,” I said.

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

Ivan? What are your best guesses for his favorite?” Misha asked.

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

a cookie?” Misha asked.

happened that Ivan and Adrik walked back in right as he said that which caused more laughter from everyone. Stephen apologized when he

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

debating what 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. “It’s actually pretty

my waist as he stood behind me. I had my hands full, so he rested his chin on my shoulder, watching what I was

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

favorite cookie, Ivan?”

sweets. I never had it as a kid, so I don’t think I ever

didn’t you?” Andrei and Misha both said at

say what?”

asked if it was even a cookie and Stephen asked if you were actually a real person,”

hear them this time. I just heard

counter beside me, his arms folded across his chest. He was watching everyone, laughing at our silliness, enjoying a moment of

going to let this conversation d ie yet and

at Adrik, searching his eyes for a moment to find the answer. I smiled when I

Andrei can’t answer either. They have a clear advantage,” Misha said.

it comes to cookies, my adorable Russian guardian.”

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

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