King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

Adrik

As soon as Sephie and I were alone that evening, she went straight to the bathroom to take out the contacts she’d been wearing all day. This was the first day she’d had to wear them this long and they were starting to irritate her eyes. “It’s taken all my self-control not to scratch my eyes constantly for the past hour,” she said, on her way to the bathroom.

“You wore them a lot longer today than you ever have before. Maybe we need to put a time limit on them,” I said, following her. As soon as they were both out, she did rub her eyes for a moment. She walked to me, her sweet smile on her face. As she got closer, I could see her eyes had changed to deep blue. “I’ve actually missed that today,” I said. “Your eyes are gorgeous on a normal day, solnishko, but I find myself loving when they change.”

“I find myself loving you, my future husband,” she said. We hadn’t had a chance to discuss how I introduced her to my father and I could tell she’d been waiting to give me a hard time about it.

“I…” I stammered, running my hand through my hair.

She giggled. “You don’t need to justify it. I liked it. I just didn’t expect it,” she said as she pulled me down to kiss her. “I also didn’t expect you to be so nervous around your father. Is that normal or is that because you didn’t tell him I was coming too?”

Of course, she would have figured out I didn’t tell anyone she would be with us. “Sephie, I didn’t tell them because I just didn’t think about it. You’re always with me. Just like the guys are always with me.”

“Oh, I’m not mad about it. I thought it was hilarious how they all looked at you when they saw you being affectionate with me. It was like they weren’t sure you were the same Adrik they’ve known for years. I don’t think I would’ve seen that same reaction if you’d told them. But that doesn’t mean I still can’t give you shi t about it,” she said, grinning at me. I watched as her eyes went from blue to green. God, I love her.

father talk about when he kidnapped you?” I asked as I pulled her shirt off and started to

I do,” she said. She was helping to unbutton my shirt, likely to keep her hands busy as I could see her start to worry over how

are.”

said, and watching her watch me. Her eyes were changing again, but it was like they couldn’t pick a color to stick to. “Okay, how do you mean it?” I said, holding my shirt

he shook my hand, you saw the reaction he had, didn’t you?” I nodded my head, remembering his surprise when he took her hand. “It’s because he can feel there’s something different about me. He knows there’s something different about you as well. He told me. The only way he could know there was something different about you and I is if there’s something

still couldn’t look away from her eyes, as they

She also knew the guys were coming. When he told me that you and I were different, I felt compelled to tell him that it wasn’t just us. I didn’t get into specifics, but he said that I’d just made your mother a very happy woman. She used to tell him that you would find me and find others that are special like you and you’d be able to realize all the dreams your father

said that? Really?” I asked. “I don’t really remember my mother. She died when I was

why he lost control of his anger. His control died with her. He told me he. worries that his anger became your anger. I told him yours was different than his, but didn’t go too much into details. He was very much lost in his memories when we talked. I think that’s the first time he’s allowed himself to

the first time he’s smiled in decades. And I’m not sure I’ve ever heard him laugh. I think that’s one of your superpowers. Getting grumpy men to laugh,” I said,

would be a good idea for you and your father to have a talk tomorrow. I can go with you, if you like. He seems to let his guard down around me. He also said he recognizes that you have a hard time seeing past his gruff exterior. Much like you and much like Ivan, it’s mostly an act.

ever, or will ever, compare my father to

gruyere. Hard on the outside, soft, creamy, and maybe a little salty on the