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.”

uncontrollably beside her. Even Adrik was laughing.

as Ivan’s,” Adrik said, trying to

a whole lot more fun than Bingo,” Ms. Jackson mumbled,

I

Jackson, I never knew you had this side to

had this much eye

“Point well made”

Ms. Jackson’s door and offered her his hand. “Oh! And a gentleman to boot!

to know 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

with me

Jackson’s shopping completed quickly. Andrei followed her around dutifully. Viktor was roaming the store, while Ivan, Misha, and Stephen kept an eye on the parking lot. Adrik would only let go of my hand if necessary. Otherwise, he seemed happy enough to simply follow me around while I helped my neighbor stock

got back to Ms. Jackson’s apartment, she looked at Andrei and Adrik and

have a moment

me and

my hands

love with you?”

met. Literally. Like

see the way he looks at you?”

doesn’t mean he’s in love

calls you

no idea what any

all I know.”

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

I don’t get it,” I

five terms of endearment for a significant other

else?”

called me malishka once.”

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

Viktor and Andrei. Misha and Ivan aren’t as chatty, although Ivan did call me a princess, when I stitched him up this morning. Viktor and Andrei have both called me sestrichka a

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Chapter Fourteen

all in

You’re being silly. What does

women,” she said. “And as for me knowing Russian, well, I spent time there during the Cold War.” She sighed, and added

never told me you were such a badass before??” I gasped, “is that how you know how to stitch people up? Did I really learn how to do that from a legit spy? You told me you

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

think I