Chapter Two Hundred Forty-One
Sephie
“Judging from what I felt in my office, it’s a good thing for Giana that I did. It was so strong and so sudden,” Adrik said, his eyes showing nothing but concern.
“I didn’t know I was that angry,” I said, looking down at my hands.
“When I got to you, it changed. There was a calm to you, but I could still feel it. It felt like mine, when I’m using it to intimidate someone. Like it’s just under the surface, only yours is much less chaotic than mine. Yours is focused,” he said, his finger lightly playing with the curls around my face. “But your eyes were dark. That’s one of the reasons I pulled you from the apartment.”
“There was more than one reason?” I asked.
He nodded. “I’m si ck of things that stress you out and make you relive your past before you’re ready. Especially when it’s as trivial as this is,” he said.
“So, it’s not just me then,” I said, smiling. I grabbed his shirt and pulled him to me so I could kiss him. He leaned back, smiling at me. “It’s not just you, solnishko. This is a ri diculous matter. I’m thinking of telling Armando to just keep her away from us for the time being. We have enough to worry about without having to worry about 12-year-old girl drama,” he said.
“I think that might make him mad. He’s in an awkward spot and you need him. I don’t have an issue with Armando. I wouldn’t have an issue with Giana if she would act her age. Maybe wait on talking to him. Let’s see what today does for her,” I said. “She might keep herself away from us on her own. No need to put Armando into an even more awkward spot.”
Viktor’s phone rang. He checked the number, then walked toward me. “It’s Chen,” he said, handing the phone to me, I put it on speaker. “What’s up, Chen?”
“Sephie. How are you, my girl?”
“Good, Chen. How are you? Everything okay?” I asked, somewhat concerned as to why he was calling.
“Yeah, everything is fine for now, but it might not be for long. DJ has some info from his extensive networks through the city. Dude knows everything that’s going on in the city, I swear. The people in Sal’s part of the city are about to revolt. They’re organizing to fight back against Sal. Word has it that Anthony and Sal’s long-lost brother are coming back, too.”
“Well, shi t.”
“Accurate response. DJ seems to think that if Sal’s area starts to revolt, then other areas of the city will follow,” he said.
“Double shi t. If that happens, they won’t even need the brawn. There will be chaos in the city without it. Does DJ happen to know if there’s clear leaders in this organization of the people in Sal’s area of town?” I asked.
“He didn’t say for sure, but I’d bet good money the answer is yes. DJ knows everyone. Everyone knows DJ. He’s like a rockstar of drug dealers,” Chen said, laughing.
“Can you see if he can find out that information? We can meet with them, same as we met with you. We’re trying to keep innocent people from getting hurt. If they revolt, I’m worried that there will be mass casualties,” I said. I glanced up to Adrik, who had a smirk on his face.
“I will get that info for you and get back to you.”
“Sooner is better, as I’m sure you know,” I said.
“Don’t worry, my girl. This public servant offers prompt service,” he said, laughing.
“Thank you, Chen. You’re the best,” I said, ending the call.
I handed the phone back to Viktor, then looked at Adrik curious as to why he was smirking at me. “You’re a natural at this, solnishko. I don’t even need to tell you what to do. You’re already three steps ahead in any situation,” he said, smiling down at
“Told you. You were made for this shi t, gazelle,” Misha said, his broad smile stretched across his face.
Adrik spent as much time in the penthouse with me and the guys as he could before returning to his office for the rest of his meetings that day. He promised he would make everything as quick as possible so he could get back to me. He also made sure that Ivan, Andrei, and Misha knew to stay with me the rest of the afternoon.
“They can help me cook dinner,” I said, grinning at Adrik as he pulled me to him before leaving.
“I’ll do anything you want after that breakfast this morning,” Misha said, rubbing his stomach. I couldn’t help but giggle at his response, which helped Adrik relax too. He was still worried about me. He leaned down and kissed me gently, telling me once more he would be back as quickly as possible and that he loved me. It made me feel all soft and nougaty inside that they were all so worried about me. And that they all felt so protective of me. I was starting to get used to it, but it was still a new phenomenon in my life. I was so used to being on my own and dealing with everything by myself. Used to having my closest friend ditch me for his latest bedroom conquest. Used to only telling people the bare minimum about me for fear they would
run away.
We moved to the couches after Adrik left with Viktor and Stephen. Ivan pulled me against him once more, his giant arm holding me close. I looked up at him. “I think I need the acupuncture lady again,” I said. He just grinned at me. “I was just about to say that, princess. I can give her a call and see when she can come,” he said as he got up from the couch, pulling his phone from his pocket.
When he got up, I got a chill, so I ran back to the bedroom to grab one of Adrik’s sweatshirts. When I came back out, Andrei saw the sweatshirt and just opened his arms. “Come here, spider monkey.” I grinned at him, running to the couch. He moved so I could lean back against him for maximum warmth.
Ivan walked back to the couches, laughing at me curled up next to Andrei under a new layer of clothing. “She’ll be here in two hours, princess. It might help you getting cold so much lately too. I had that problem before and she fixed it,” he said.
“She did? No wonder you’ve kept her a secret for so many years,” I said.
Ivan laughed. “I would’ve shared, but nobody else was interested.”
“I didn’t know it was a thing that people did until Sephie’s concussion,” Misha said.
“It seems painful. Why would you want to be stabbed repeatedly? I’ve been stabbed twice. I didn’t enjoy it,” Andrei said.
I laughed. “Bubba, it’s not like getting stabbed. They’re like tiny little needles. It’s more annoying than anything when she first puts them in, but then it all goes away and it makes everything feel better. The first time hurt the worst, but after that, it didn’t hurt much at all.”
“The first time, I had to keep Adrik from going In to save you,” Ivan said, smirking at me.
I sighed. “If I haven’t told yoit lately, I adore how protective you all are of me. Going from being completely on my own to now having you guys ready to punch a bi tch because she was rude to me is a very nice change in my life.”
“You deserve it. gazelle. You deserve to have people around you that love you and want to take care of you,” Misha said. Andrei tightened his grip around me, pulling me closer. I suddenly felt much warmer as I smiled at Misha and Ivan. I grabbed Andrei’s.
arm and held on to it as we talked.
