King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

King of the Underworld

482

Sephie

When Viktor came out from Stephen helping him one more time, he looked remarkably better. He’d looked better each time Stephen had helped him, but it looked like he was finally relaxed and happy this time. The rest of us were in the back room, on the couches, being rid iculous about something when they walked in.

“Papa Bear, you look much better this time,” I said, smiling at him. The smile I got in return was enough to tell us all everything we needed to know.

“Even I can tell you feel better now and I don’t usually pay attention,” Misha said.

“I think I got it all this time,” Stephen said. “I was somewhat concerned for my effectivity the other two times.”

“He’s been holding on to it for a long time. You could’ve asked for a boost, like with Sergei,” I said.

“I know. Maybe I wanted to see if I could do it on my own,” Stephen said, grinning at me.

“Independent. I’ll allow it,” I said.

“Okay, who has Andrei next or Stephen next?” Misha asked.

We all looked at both Andrei and Stephen. That was a tougher decision to make than I would’ve thought. They were both progressing at rapid rates. Andrei has had his gift for longer, but Stephen jumped in with both feet once he discovered his. It could go either way.

“My money is on Andrei,” Ivan said. Adrik agreed with him.

“I’m going with Stephen,” I said, which shocked everyone. “I know it should technically be Andrei that gets it next, but he’s been more cautious about his gift the entire time. I also think he’s more worried about controlling his anger when it happens, so it’s going to take him longer. Stephen has more experience with that. I think he’s going to be more willing to take that leap much sooner than Bubba,” I said.

feeling that I assume one has when they’re a kid and their parents tell them they’re proud of them? That’s what I’m

wrong, Stephen. I agree with her. My

Misha to get angrier. I’ll show you what I showed him

you’ll help. I’m more worried about not breaking anything. The few times it’s happened, I’ve always smashed something. Or someone. That’s what I’m most worried about,” he told me.

along with me in my head, but neither of us gave any outward signs we were having this conversation. I did have to admit to

followed me to the kitchen while I started dinner. They all chipped in to

read the message. “It’s Trino. He wants to know if I can help

he can admit he

going to tell him about everything.” Ivan said.

Stephen and Andrei can switch their eyes too and then just all show

plan,” I said,

next to me helping, looked at me. “It’s like you took the words right out of my mo uth,

going to need slightly more fact than

to Adrik. “Are we soulmates now too? Did that just happen?

I elbowed Misha in the ribs. “I don’t share. They all

to food. He was watching everyone with me. “I might love it when you get possessive,”

toward him, I was still laughing about the exchange as he leaned down and pressed his lips to mine. I turned around, leaning back against

needed this,”

to be better about coming here more regularly. I have a

to come up with a plan for everything. It all needs

a little tighter. “We’ll think about that

the end of the day so Viktor could start going over setting up a security team for him. He had Chris and Keith show up as well so they could meet Trino and

Trino. He had plenty of his own people in the

were with him when he arrived. He also surprised me by bringing a woman with him. I was with Andrei and

for your approval,” Andrei said. He could barely