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

agree with her. My money is on you, too,”

I’ll show you what I showed him when you’re ready. You’ll be just fine, Bubba,” I

not breaking anything. The few times it’s happened, I’ve always smashed something. Or someone. That’s what I’m

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

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

pocket, chuckling as he read the message. “It’s Trino. He wants to know if I can help him find a security team. He said he’s

least he can admit he was wrong,” Adrik

going to tell him

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

said, trying not to

like you took the words right

to see that, I think we are going to need slightly more fact than that. But let’s keep that shelved. I’m sure there’s someone we’ll be able

to Adrik. “Are we soulmates now too? Did

They

to food. He was watching everyone with me. “I might

I responded, turning toward him, I was still laughing about the exchange as he leaned down and pressed his lips to mine.

needed this,” he said.

agree. I’m glad we stayed one more night. We need to be better about coming here more regularly. I

to come up with a plan for everything. It all needs to happen quickly, so we don’t miss our chance at Ricardo and

pulled his arms around me a little tighter. “We’ll

over setting up a security team for him. He had Chris and Keith show up as well so they could meet Trino and talk

the city. We were all sure he preferred them to having to listen to Russian any more than absolutely

with him. I was with Andrei and Misha at their desks

approval,” Andrei said.