King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

Chapter Four

Sephie

When I walked back into the meeting room, it was completely empty. Everyone had vanished. I can’t say I was disappointed by this development. I busied myself with gathering up the empty glasses and the few plates I hadn’t managed to clear already to take them to the kitchen. I hear Max whistling as he’s walking down the hallway toward the back room.

“Hey, why did everyone leave in such a hurry?” he asked as he walked in and started to help me clear the tables.

“No idea,” I said. I kept my gaze down, as I was once again on the verge of tears, trying desperately to keep them in so I wouldn’t cry in front of Max. I hated crying in front of people.

“That was weird. I saw two of those giant bodyguards that came in last take a very drunk guy out front and beat the living sh it out of him, then walk back inside like nothing happened.”

I dropped the glass in my hand and looked at Max, wide-eyed.

“They did what??”

“Yeah, it was comical. And somewhat sad. But mostly comical. I think it was one of the guys you said was always an as*shole to you, so I may or may not have cheered as the bodyguards came back in the restaurant.”

“Max, you have to be careful. You know who these people are.”

“I know, I know, but I was cheering for the Karma that guy was clearly receiving. Hey, wait a minute – what the he ll happened to your arms?? And your neck??”

“This was the reason for the Karma.”

“Holy sh it, Sephie! Are you okay? What happened? Why didn’t you come get me?”

fine. That guy is always handsy, but he took it to a new level tonight. I might’ve provoked him slightly and made things worse, so he

Don’t you take any of the blame on yourself. That guy is a di ck and he had every b*ow to

you’re right. I just want to close up

you just go? I’ll close

leave you here by yourself, Max. You might be a big, strong guy, but that’s still a jerk move. Everyone else

stubborn you’d argue with the

“True story.”

shook his head and laughed as he grabbed the last

seamlessly. It always took us less time than everyone else to get our list of chores done in the restaurant before closing. We usually laughed and

our cars together. I was so busy looking

hooking up with

who I thought it was. Max looked at my face and then spun

shoulder and I was too

trying to be brave for me, but I could also

Russian accent evident. I recognized that voice. I peeked around Max’s

okay, Max. He helped when…you know, Karma. It was his bodyguards.” Max visibly

di

up and kissed

know I

my car and Adrik,