King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

Chapter Thirteen

Sephie

Misha ran to one of the SUV’s outside to get Ivan a new shirt, since the one he was wearing was basically ruined. Viktor received a phone call, which he took in Russian. Once he ended the call, he said, “Boss is on his way here.” He Hooked at me and said, “you get dressed. We’re leaving once he gets here.”

“We’re leaving? Where are we going?”

“Somewhere safer. Explosion was too close. I don’t like.”

“But I can’t leave. I have to take Ms. Jackson to the grocery store this afternoon. I always take her shopping on Saturdays. Without me, she has no way to get to the store, which means she has no way to eat.”

Viktor frowned at this news. He pondered on a solution for a moment, but just said, “get dressed anyway. We will work it out.”

I left my first aid kit on the cabinet and went to my bedroom for a quick shower before Adrik got there. I put slightly more effort into my appearance than what he saw the night before, but it still didn’t amount to much. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t get the hang of makeup. I had people tell me when I was younger that I needed to wear makeup to cover up my freckles. I didn’t like the way it felt though. I always felt like my face was being slowly smothered when I wore it. So, I opted for mascara and the slightest bit of eye makeup. That’s as fancy as I got.

Throwing on a pair of black skinny jeans and a white blouse with a camisole underneath, I looked at my somewhat out of control hair. It was still wet from the shower, but I could tell it was going to be one of those days where it did whatever it wanted instead of what I wanted. I shrugged my shoulders, knowing this was not a fight I was going to win easily. I scrunched some product into my curls to help tame the frizz and called it a day. At least having my hair down would help cover my purple neck.

When I came out of my room, only Andrei and Viktor were in my apartment.

“Where did Misha and Ivan go?”

“Outside. Keep an eye on the perimeter,” Andrei said. “We noticed strange cars and people going into bottom apartment.”

“The one across from Ms. Jackson?” He nodded. “That’s Chen. He sells drugs. Those are just his customers. Chen gets a fresh batch on Friday, so his customers come on Saturdays.”

Andrei and Viktor both looked unhappy at this news. Andrei looked at me and said, “we’re definitely leaving. Why didn’t you tell us this sooner?”

“I can’t leave without making sure Ms. Jackson is taken care of for the week. Mr. Turner is at work and Chen isn’t reliable, obviously. And I didn’t think it was important. Chen’s apartment is quiet, except on the weekends. He’s always very respectful to everyone. I don’t even think he lives here most of the week. He just uses the apartment to sell out

of.”

a look. Viktor spoke, “I don’t

en

the door, gun in hand,

for a moment before he walked to me. He put his arm around my waist, pulled me close

you sleep, solnishko?”

well, thank you.”

hand under my chin, inspecting my bruise. “Still too dark. Did you put more arnica on this

shy that Andrei, Viktor,

as he kissed my forehead. “Now, tell me. What is this about taking your neighbor to

could drive if she did have a car. I take her to

kept his arm around

“Yes, sir.”

me and asked, “is she ready to go? Do we need to give her time?”

yet today, but my guess is she’s ready to go. She usually has to wait for

call her.”

and told Viktor to let Ivan and Misha know. He noticed the first aid kit on the counter and his

it, then to me, concern on his face. “What is this

me at arm’s length to check me

debris in that explosion and had a pretty good gash. He’s

and pulled me to him. I wrapped my arms around him, happy

malishka.”

all are in this mess because of me. It’s the least I

before he

make a call to Ivan to let them know the change in the plan. I stepped back from Adrik and said, “I’ll call Ms. Jackson and see if

would have chaperones on our weekly trip to the store

2/4

men

men will accompany us to the store. Did you need to go anywhere else this