King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

Chapter Fourteen

Sephie

Ms. Jackson was in the backseat with me and Adrik. Viktor was driving while Andrei was in the passenger seat. We were following the other SUV with Ivan, Misha, and Stephen. You would’ve thought it was Ms. Jackson’s birthday, she

was so excited.

“I haven’t been this close to this many fine–looking gentlemen since I was in my 20s,” she whispered to me. “I knew you were special, girl, but what did you do to deserve this many handsome men at your beck and call?”

I laughed. “I don’t think they’re exactly at my beck and call, Ms. Jackson.”

Adrik cleared his throat, beside me. I looked at him in shock. He smiled at me. “Whatever you need, solnishko. You say

the word.”

“Did you just call her solnishko?” Ms. Jackson asked, leaning forward so she could see Adrik.

“Da. You know Russian?”

“Enough,” she sat back. She hooked her arm through mine and patted my hand. “Yep. Special, special girl,” she said quietly. I glanced at her face. She had the look of someone who was reliving her past, so I decided against asking any further questions. I felt Adrik take my other hand and lace his fingers through mine. He gently squeezed my hand.

I closed my eyes, enjoying the moment of peace I felt whenever Adrik was around. I hadn’t known him for very long,

but I felt things I’d never felt whenever he was around. I tried not to think about it too much. It was unconventional, to say the least. It felt like he quieted my storms. Like he was holding my hand as I was fumbling through the

darkness, keeping me steady. All I knew is that I didn’t want it to end just yet.

I felt the SUV stop and heard Viktor put it in park. Ms. Jackson made a move to open her door, but Andrei stopped her

“Not yet, Ms. Jackson. Give us moment.”

“Honey, I’ll give you as long as you want, as long as I can look at you while you’re doing whatever it is you’re about to

do.”

Viktor caught my eye in the rear–view mirror. He was trying so hard not to laugh. Poor Andrei’s face was as red as my

hair. He could not get out of the vehicle fast enough.

“Lord, I hate for him to leave, but I love to watch him go.”

laughing uncontrollably beside her. Even Adrik was laughing.

future, as well as

activities that would be a whole lot

only I

Jackson, I never knew you had

you never had this much eye candy around you

“Point well made”

and offered her his hand. “Oh! And a gentleman to

that he was blushing. Adrik opened his door. Stepping out, he turned and offered his hand to me. I smiled and took his hand as he helped me out of the vehicle. Once I was standing, he pulled me close and planted a very quick kiss on my lips. I looked

me in

Ivan, Misha, and Stephen kept an eye on the parking lot. Adrik would only let go of my hand if necessary. Otherwise, he seemed

Ms. Jackson’s apartment, she looked at Andrei and

have a moment alone with Miss

Adrik looked at me and said, “we’ll be right outside.”

the door closed, Ms. Jackson took each of my hands in hers and looked up at me. “Child,

in love with

just met. Literally. Like two days

dear. Can you not see the way

doesn’t mean he’s in love with

you

words. I have no idea what any of them mean. They could be calling me a

all I know.”

endearment, so the fact that he’s calling you his ‘little sun‘ only days after meeting you means he’s head over heels for

get it,” I

for a significant other in Russian. They’re

else?”

called me malishka once.”

rest my case. He’s smitten. What do the other men

although Ivan did call me a princess, when I stitched

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Chapter Fourteen

they’re all in love with you.”

Ms. Jackson. You’re being silly. What does it mean? And how do

pet name for a little sister, but again, only reserved for very special women,” she said. “And as for me knowing Russian, well, I spent time there during the Cold War.” She sighed, and added very matter–of–factly, “I

that how you know how to stitch

After I came back, I went into nursing. Being a spy is hard on a girl.” She sighed. Again, lost in her memories. “That was a long time ago, honey. But you need to know that you are the light to that man’s dark. You are

think