King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

Chapter Eighteen

Adrik

We pulled up to the estate finally. It was close. Too close, considering we had Sephie with us. I already knew I would burn the entire city to the ground if something happened to her. She only just came into my life, but without her, the careful self–control I’d created since taking over from my father would be gone with her last breath. I would turn into him, and the city would pay.

We stepped out of the vehicle. She immediately ran to the vehicle behind us, straight to Viktor. She slammed into him, hugging his neck tightly. He was taken aback by her gesture and looked to me before moving. I simply nodded. He wrapped his arms around her, like an older brother reuniting with his favorite sister after a long absence. She then went to both Misha and Stephen and gave them each a hug too.

I couldn’t help but smile at her innocence. Her light shone so brightly that I was sure it could light the entire world. Even my men, who are normally quite grumpy and say very little, have all turned into little puppies around her. They will gladly follow her around, just to be near her. We all saw the good in her.

She made her way back toward me and Andrei, who was standing next to me. He stretched his arms wide and asked, “do I get one too?” She beamed at him as she ran to him. He picked her up and swung her around, as she squealed. I made a mental note that she enjoyed that. I caught myself wondering what else would make her squeal.

When Andrei set her down, he said “I could get used to that kind of appreciation.” She caught sight of Ivan and squared her shoulders as she walked to him. She extended her hand to him saying, “you don’t strike me as the hugging type.” He looked at her but was completely defenseless against how brightly her light shone on him. He grabbed her hand and pulled her into his bear arms, closing his eyes tightly like he was fighting back a flood of emotions. She said something to him, and I was shocked at his reaction. He laughed. Ivan has been working for me for ten years and I’ve rarely seen that man smile, much less laugh.

I shook my head, watching her with my men. They were all trained killers, but in the span of about 2 days she had wrapped every single one of them around her finger. And she had no idea.

She turned away from Ivan and made her way back to me. She wrapped her arms around me, placing her head on my chest. She whispered, just loud enough that only I could hear her, “I saved the best for last.”

It was that moment that I knew, unequivocally, that I was madly in love with this woman. I would die to protect her. I

would work every day of this life to keep her by my side.

I kissed the top of her head, thinking about how happy I was in that moment. It didn’t make sense. We just escaped death, but we were all standing around smiling like idiots.

Because of her.

your room,” I said, grabbing her hand

e took

wide with wonderment as

wings off that main hallway. My men stayed in the east wing,

so I could be close to her while still giving her

have someone stationed periodically through the house just to give me directions?” She pretended to have a British accent as she said, “yes, madam, if you will just walk down the grand hall, there will be a phone at the end. Pick that up. They will direct you to the restroom from there.”

thing to remember is that the boys all have rooms to the right as you walk in the door. The kitchen is that way,” I said pointing to the left of the staircase. “I’ll show you to your room for now. I have some business to take care of, but if you like,

eagerly. “I would very

done. Come. Your room awaits,” I said, giving her

giggled and followed me up the stairs. Even the way her laugh echoed on the marble floors was music to

and stepping aside for her to enter first. “Here

of this? For me? Shit. I’m gonna get lost just trying to find the bathroom in this one room.” She paused, turning around to take in the full

of the gardens, as well as the mountains in the distance. I would stand on this balcony during the summer nights, inhaling

beautiful,” she said, her hand

was standing at the railing of the balcony, her hands now resting on the stone rail. I walked up behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist.

view,”

neck and pulling me closer to her. Without hesitating, I deepened the kiss. I had been holding back before, but after this afternoon and being that close to something potentially

She stopped the kiss just long enough to look into my eyes.

as I was concerned. I’d never met anyorie like her,

to the ground once again, not wanting to let her go. I groaned. “I’d much rather ignore that and