King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

511

Adrik

I couldn’t help but feel a huge relief once I knew Niko and Vito were in our custody and unable to escape the city once more. They had lost more underbosses in a few hours than the city had lost good people, so I was considering it a win. Boris was the help the people needed to defend their businesses and stand up to the bosses once and for all. Best of all, it looked like we weren’t involved.

Now our plan to return peace and order to the city would finally be set in motion.

After Sephie and the Wonder Twins restarted dinner, I made a call to the mayor, as well as Trino. I wanted both of them to know that our plans would be moving forward, likely at a quick pace. Doug was prepared to hold a press conference announcing the arrest of Dr. Moretti. After that, it would be revealed that he had ties to both Sal and Henry. Sal would quickly discover that coming back to the city was no longer an option for him.

Trino needed to be prepared for anything when it came to Martin. The Mexicans were still very much a wild card in all of this. They were unpredictable. They were savage. I detested working with them. Trino had sent a very strong message when he took over, but people like that only listen to violence. They’d grown bolder since they had Sal’s backing. We were hoping that boldness would die with Sal, but we were also prepared to send a message they would never forget.

“Jefe, are you going after Sal and Ricardo first?” Trino asked.

“That’s the plan so far. Unless you tell me there’s a better reason to go after Martin first,” I said.

“No, no. I think they need to fall first. I think without them, the Mexicans won’t be as big of an issue. I’ve got plenty of eyes within Martin’s circle that can get word to me of his plans. Same for the Mexicans. There’s talk, Jefe. You have time to meet before you leave?” he asked.

“Yeah, it won’t be for a few days. How urgent is this? Do you need to meet right away?”

“Tomorrow, Jefe. I think you’re going to be able to shed more light on the situation,” Trino said.

“Tomorrow night. Chen knows where. We’re being watched right now so I don’t want you at the building. We’re not there at the moment, but we’ve got a spot we can meet.”

Sephie noticed my clenched jaw when I walked back in the kitchen. She immediately freed up her hands and wrapped her arms around me. “That doesn’t look so good,” she said, resting her head against my chest.

I sighed. “I don’t know yet. I just know that now I feel better about it,” I said, running my hands over her back and through her hair.

found what she was looking for and put her head back on my chest. We stood in silence for

put my hand on the back of Sephie’s neck, pulling her away from

me. “I would prefer you weren’t so stressed. Yes, I asked him to look. I know how much you hate surprises. I also know it’s not something Trino

pressed my lips to her. “I love you. More than I ever thought possible.” I could feel her smile against

Russian guardian, do you think we can find out more details on the Mexicans?

translate any of it. We’ve really got

giggled, but agreed. “After

suggesting they try something new. “Why don’t you both use your demons to see how detailed

my demon knows Spanish. This could

worked on cleaning up the kitchen so Misha and Sephie could try to find answers. We’d discussed what we needed to find out as we ate, so those two set about trying to find the answers to our

started looking, both their eyes switched to black, but both of them inhaled sharply, eyes wide. “Whoa,” they both said at the same time, I could feel Sephie’s surprise at whatever she was seeing, but she stayed mostly calm. I could almost feel her trying

look at each other, clearly surprised at whatever new thing they’d just discovered. “Well, that was different,” Sephie said as she

solnishko?” I asked, curious to find out what

standing inside of. This time, it was like we had the remote and could pause the scene and walk through it, looking at every detail

could look in people’s heads,” Sephie said,

she was. “You’ve never done it from that far away before

no. I threatened to try it once with Ivan, but I never actually did,”

her side, finally unable

which we already suspected. It’s hard to tell exactly how much they know. Language is still a very big barrier for

closer look at Martin, gazelle. Maybe we can figure out why they’re so scared of him that way,”

going to zap either one of you? We can’t afford for anyone to get zapped

grinned at me. “You, my King, have enough power to keep all of us going now.

effect it had on me as she pressed herself closer to me, wrapping her arms around my neck for a moment. “Unexpectedly hot,” I told her as she stayed in front of me long enough for me to calm myself down. I heard her giggling in her