King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

Chapter Fifteen

Sephie

After helping her put away the rest of her groceries, I closed her apartment door behind me. I was lost in thought as I turned to find Adrik waiting, just like he had promised. He was standing just past the breezeway, smoking, and on the phone. When he saw me, he put out his cigarette and extended his arm to me. I walked over to him, allowing him to wrap his arm around my waist. Still on the phone, he kissed the top of my head as I rested my head against his

shoulder.

I felt his body tense and suddenly his words had a deadly tone to them. I couldn’t understand what he was saying, but I knew it wasn’t good. He was normally soft–spoken, but he raised his voice while talking to the person on the other end. All while he gently twirled my curls in his free hand. I had to chuckle at the absurdity of this man probably threatening someone’s life while playing with my hair like he wasn’t threatening someone’s life.

He abruptly ended the call and looked down at me.

“I’m sorry, solnishko. Business,” he sighed as he put his phone away.

I smiled at him, and his body immediately relaxed. “No need to apologize. It wasn’t my life you were threatening just

then.”

His breath caught. He pulled me so I was standing in front of him and held me close. His eyes scanned my face and my hair for several moments. I thought back to what Ms. Jackson had just told me as his looks softened the longer we stood like that. I smiled at him. I liked seeing his face soften,

“I will never tire of your beautiful smile,” he said as he brushed my hair back from face, placing it behind my shoulders. “Nor your amazing hair.” His hands ran down my back, giving me goosebumps. He looked deeply into my eyes as he held me securely against him. “You look extra beautiful today.”

by. It’s beauty

rubbing my lower

have no

inquisitively. I laughed again,

tell.”

grateful that

usual, I stood on my toes

clearly,” he said,

to the store today. I know it was not part of your plan for

Chapter Fifteen

and took my hand, leading me up the stairs to my apartment. “You should grab a few things.

wasn’t much, but I had worked hard to build my little life I was living. I went from having absolutely nothing when I left my old life to being able to take care of myself all on my own. I didn’t have many friends, but the ones I did have, I cherished. If I left now, would I ever see them again? Would I ever be able to make my own decisions again? Was he taking me somewhere to lock me in the proverbial ivory tower,

trying to make sense of everything that was happening. “I know you like to argue, but you listen to them when it counts, you hear me. I can see it on the face of every single one of them. They love you and will

my life always have to be so difficult? I exhaled and went to my closet to grab a bag. Just a few things. Just a few days. Then I can come back. They’ll find Anthony and I’ll be able to come back. It’ll be fine. I can do

genuine concern showing on his face. “You okay, solnishko?” He closed the distance

sighed, “yeah, I think so. It’s just for a few

deeply in my eyes. “I want to keep you safe. I’m only taking you away from here to keep you safe.” He noticed the tears forming in my eyes. “Shhh. It will be okay. I promise,” he gently pressed his lips

knock on my open bedroom door. Viktor,

1. go. Now.”