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.

assume one has when they’re a kid and their parents tell them they’re proud of them? That’s what I’m feeling right now,” Stephen said, his

her. My money is on

I told Misha to get angrier. I’ll show you what I showed him when you’re ready. You’ll

help. I’m more worried about not breaking anything. The few times it’s happened, I’ve always smashed something. Or

you have to wait until Stephen figures it out so we’ll win the bet pool,” I said to him. I could hear him laughing along with me in my head, but neither of us gave any outward signs we were having

together. They all got up and followed me to the kitchen while

wants to know if I can help him find a security team. He said he’s not having the luck he thought he was going

can admit he was wrong,” Adrik

do need to figure out how we’re going

spring it on him. Let’s wait until Stephen and Andrei can switch their eyes too and then just all show up one

I said, trying

the words right out of my mo uth, gazelle,” he said, his

are going to need slightly more fact than that. But let’s keep that shelved.

now too? Did that just happen? Because I feel like it

in the ribs. “I don’t share. They

hands around my waist as everyone helped themselves to food. He was watching everyone with me.

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 him once more as we watched

definitely needed this,”

to be better about coming here more regularly. I have a feeling once Trino gets security set

everything. It all needs to happen quickly, so we don’t miss

“We’ll think about that tomorrow.

a security team for him. He had Chris and Keith show up as well so they could

us had seen Trino. He had plenty of his own people in the city. We were all sure he preferred them to having to listen

and Oscar were with him when he arrived. He also surprised me by bringing a woman with him. I was with Andrei and Misha at their desks when Viktor stepped off the elevator with all of them.

your approval,” Andrei said. He