King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

long enough that the drug would make him pass out so I could lock myself in my room, hoping

desperately that I would survive the night. I know all about the signs to look for when someone is on

that drug because it literally meant life and death for me. I learned how to avoid him until he nattad zoo

hot it didn’t slu ve work and he would estch me when I cama hama dalharina s fresh bustina – It’e alen

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don’t show my body to just anyone. My back is covered in scars because of the effects of that drug.

Yet, you assume it’s because I was the addict and instead of owning your mistake, you pretend you’re

the victim in this situation, blaming your family for your false judgment. You assume that I’m prudish or

ultra religious because I don’t want people to see my scars so they can judge me unfairly the same way

you have. You see, I’ve dealt with people like you since I was a teenager. Those who find out the truth

still find ways to look at me differently, but it’s not because of me. This isn’t on me, Giana. This is all on

you and why you feel the need to try and tear me down to make yourself feel better, because that’s

exactly what you’re doing. You just haven’t realized that there’s nothing bad you can say to me that

hasn’t already been said. You’re allowed to think whatever you need to about me to make yourself feel

better, but do not, under any circumstances, expect me to continue to be nice or friendly toward you

until you can own your actions and apologize like a fu cking adult, without the help of anyone else.”

Her eyes were wide as I talked. Misha had quietly reached down and grabbed my hand as I was

talking. He knew I was angry. but he also knew I never wanted to have this conversation in the first

place. Giana was too stunned to talk when I finished. Andrei looked at her, saying, “that’s not even half

of what she’s been through in her life. She’s survived things that I’m not sure I could’ve survived. She’s

also been nothing but nice to you since you’ve been here. She’s the reason you and Mando are

together now and this is how you choose to think of her? I hope you feel bad about this, Giana, I really,

truly do. Because while Sephie is too nice to tell you how much you’ve hurt her over this, I don’t give a

fu ck. You hurt her again and I can promise you, we won’t be able to hold back next time.”

There was an urgent knock at Ms. Jackson’s door that interrupted our conversation. Misha and Andrei

looked at each other, surprised. Andrei moved to the door, while Misha put himself between the door

and me. Andrei looked through the peep ho le, then back to us, a small smile on his face. He opened

the door to reveal a worried Adrik at the door. He walked into the apartment immediately, searching for

me. Misha had stepped aside once Andrei started to open the door, so Adrik found me almost

immediately. He was by my side in seconds.

I couldn’t help the smile that crept across my face. “You felt me get angry, didn’t you?” I asked, in

Russian. He nodded, pulling me to him. He looked at Giana at the table, a new look of worry on her

face since he arrived. He looked back to me, saying, “well, at least I know why you were angry now. I

did not expect her to be here.”

“We didn’t either,” Misha said. I could still hear the anger in his voice too.

Adrik glanced at both of them, then to Ms. Jackson who was also stunned at what she’d just witnessed.

He looked back at me, then finally to Giana. “We’re done here,” he said in English as he pulled me with

him toward the door. Andrei, who was still standing close to the door, opened it for us, following behind

us and Misha.

As the elevator doors closed, Adrik said, “close your eyes, Andrei.” His lips crashed into mine as he

pressed me against the wall of the elevator. We could hear both of them laughing at us, but I didn’t

care. This time, I didn’t realize how angry I was until he kissed me and I felt it subside. The doors

dinged, signaling our arrival to his office floor. He broke the kiss, catching his breath. Andrei and Misha

both stepped off the elevator to give us a moment.

“Shi t,” I said. He looked at me, a curious look on his face. “I didn’t know I was that angry until you

kissed me,” I said, quietly.

He grinned at me. “Your control is impressive, solnishka. It also explains why your eyes are now normal

again,” he said, kissing my forehead. “Come, you can keep me company while we wait for my 11

o’clock meeting that, luckily, was late today.” He grabbed my hand, pulling me toward his office.

“They weren’t normal when you got to me?” I asked as we walked to his office.

He shook his head no. “I want to ask Andrei and Misha if they noticed it.” We walked into his empty

office. He stuck his head outside the door, calling for Andrei and Misha. They both walked in and took a

seat. “Did either of you notice anything different about Sephie’s eyes when she was down there?”

Andrei said, “Net, I was staring down Glana the whole time, to be honest. I was standing close enough

to Sephie that I could feel her, so I didn’t need to look at her.”

Adrik nodded once, then looked to Misha. “I glanced at her when she was listening to Giana’s initial

apology. They looked darker, but I thought it was just because of the lighting in Ms. Jackson’s kitchen. I

knew she was angry though, so I grabbed her hand to try and help calm her down while she told Giana

more than she ever wanted to.”

I could feel myself getting upset and I heard the elevator ding, likely bringing Adrik’s meeting with it.

“Let’s talk about this. later.” They all looked at me with concern on their faces. “Please?” I said, smiling

to try and let them know I was okay.