King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

Chapter Two Hundred Fifty-Five

Sephie

“Technically, I was the insurance scam. Lots of villages burned trying to get rid of me. I have a strong dislike of fire because of it,” Stephen said, completely straight-faced. We all laughed loudly. I started laughing even harder when I saw the look of confusion on Keith’s face. He was just staring at Stephen, his mo uth open in complete shock.

“I love how you just have a ‘strong dislike’ of the thing that could ki ll you,” I said, still laughing.

“If you can’t find inner peace in 900 years, are you even trying?” Andrei said, which caused another round of laughter from all of us. I was laughing so hard I was crying by the time I finally gained control of myself.

“Shi t, I needed that,” I said. “Okay, back to serious matters. Seriously, focus people.” I was making myself want to laugh again. I got up and handed Viktor’s computer back to him. “Can you please find out if Armando is also in financial trouble like you did Giana’s family?” I asked. I always felt compelled to be extra sweet when it came to asking Viktor for anything. I think it was the look on his face every time I did. He practically melted every time I asked him for anything. He got busy looking up information as I returned to Adrik’s lap.

“So, let’s just say, for the sake of argument, that Armando is having financial difficulty. He blows up his own office building for the insurance money. Why would he depend on us to stop everyone from showing up to that building that morning? He was the one that set that meeting at his building, with all his people there. We were the ones that stopped people from dying,” Misha said.

“Well, when you say it like that, it makes no sense,” I said.

“Unless that was also the plan all along. If he didn’t show, but everyone else did…” Ivan said, trailing off.

“Assuming he hasn’t found a way to alter his records, Armando is doing fine financially,” Viktor said.

“Does he own that office building?” I asked. “I mean, I would assume so, but let’s check just for fun.”

search as we all waited for the results. I leaned my head back, looking sideways

to come clean

Viktor said. He stood up, bringing me his computer. “Make sure I’m reading this correctly, but I think this says the owner of Armando’s office building is Giana’s father.” I looked at the screen, reading through everything listed.

tried to ki ll her?”

story, the building exploded sometime between 8:00-8:15 that morning. Early enough that she wouldn’t be there.

about the business deal and wanted to help her out by giving her a job.

get her closer to him,” Stephen said. “She’s been a plant all

pressing issue is whether Armando is loyal or if he’s playing both sides,” Adrik said. He looked to Keith. “Can you get more recordings of his conversations, especially when he’s speaking Italian? He’s more likely to slip up in

weekend again. It’s easier to record him there. He also has more meetings there than he does here,” Keith

pictures of who he’s meeting with?” Stephen

Chris, we should be able to,” he said. “I can send it all to you

Armando,” Adrik said. “Chris, too. I reward those who stay loyal to me. You’ve

stood up to leave, understanding that he was free to do so. He shot a quick glance toward Stephen before he walked

happens if Armando doesn’t come clean by

about Giana. I would have assumed he would know about it by now. She’s spending a hefty amount of money, with nothing to show for

that. I saw his ex-girlfriend’s wardrobe. He doesn’t pay attention to the money spent by

much money each week, there should be new clothes showing up regularly. Or something showing up in exchange for the money. She can’t go buy clothes on top of spending that amount of money because it would be too obvious. That money has to be going somewhere,” Adrik said,

also have the same problem?”