King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

368

Sephie

The two as sholes – I don’t even know their names. I don’t want to know their names. were the last ones to the gym. Viktor was sparring with one of Vitaliy’s other guys that had been with him for years. They were well matched. Aleksei was right. It was good to get new sparring partners. When you constantly sparred with the same person, it was easy to fall into a routine. Since I had five to choose from, I hadn’t reached a point where I needed a new partner, but there was sometimes a routine with a few of the guys. Mostly Viktor and Stephen, as they took it easy on me. They were still worried about hurting me when they sparred with me. Ivan used to be, but after he saw what happened with Mike, he turned up the pressure on me the few times we sparred before he and I were taken. I had to admit to enjoying the challenge. He was surprisingly fast for such a massive human.

everyone

The greatest part of the morning, for me anyway, was the way that the other guys would watch the two sparring. When they took a break, offered advice and brought to light areas that could be improved. It looked like they were fighting, but it was a learning experience for everyone. The same happened when Stephen got in the ring with another of Vitaliy’s regular guys. I enjoyed seeing them being able to sharpen their skills even more. It never hurt that they were all chiseled, handsome men that generally took their shirts off at some point.

Because Vitaliy’s men knew Ivan and knew that he’d had “extra” training, even though they didn’t know the whole story, none of them would spar with him. Apparently, he had a reputation. I looked to Andrei, who was standing next to me. “They’re really scared to spar with him?” I asked, completely surprised.

Andrei chuckled. “He still takes it very easy on you, spider monkey.”

“And here I thought he wasn’t holding back as much,” I said, crossing my arms across my chest like I was pouting.

It made Andrei laugh. “You know he has more training than pretty much any human alive. He controls it with us, but he likes to challenge new people

little too much.”

I said, laughing at the thought of Ivan getting enjoyment out

him about it one night when we were alone, curious as to why he didn’t practice. The next morning, he sparred with Viktor, just to show me that apparently he did

across his face as he jumped into the ring. I also caught Vitaliy’s smirk as he watched his son in the ring. He was hard to read, but he was clearly

I was standing with Andrei. I heard Adrik tell Ivan not to hold back. “Might as well give them a reason to be pu ssies,” he said. He caught my eye, smirking at me as he knew I’d heard him.

help but laugh. “I fully support this kind of passive-aggressive behavior,” I

so well-matched that it was almost like they’d choreographed it beforehand. Both of them were breathing hard, sweating as they each tried to outdo the other. Each hit was perfectly countered, each kick was expertly blocked.

they were both enjoying it, as well. There was almost a giddiness

watching them. The look of satisfaction on his face was everything. I almost wanted to take a picture of it so I could show Adrik later. I glanced at the other guys’ faces, finally looking at the two as sholes. They were shocked. Good.

they’d refused to spar with Ivan. Aleksei walked up beside me and Andrei, as Adrik was climbing out of the ring beside us. He

eyebrow, wadding his shirt up in his hand to wipe the sweat from his face. Aleksei chuckled. “They might

to have to find replacements for them.”

both knew that Ivan

said quietly, “don’t hold back, Andrei. It’s not your fault they haven’t taken their training seriously.

he was going to