King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

438

Stubic

Since either Ihya or Viktor slept for the majority of Ilya’s first week here, Stephen took over master of schedule

duties to give Viktor a break. Stephen said he needed a way to burn off his extra energy he was still enjoying since

he’d broken Armando anyway. Ivan and the Wonder Twins had things they needed to take care of that afternoon,

which meant I was stuck with Viktor.

O more like he was stuck with me.

Iva, to his credit, was very curious about everything and asked questions most of the afternoon. He wanted to know

how long I’d been able to do the things I could do, how it happened, if I’d told anyone else before, he wanted to

know everything. I didn’t mind. It helped me feel more comfortable with Viktor and eased my irritation with him.

Orsor Ilya had satisfied his curiosity about me, it was my turn. “Okay, Ilya, nows your chance to dish on your older

brother. How was he when you were kids? Was he a jerk? Bossy? Who’s the perfect brother? Who’s the

troublemaker?” I asked, grinning at Viktor.

Viktor looked at Iva. They both had smiles as they looked to me. “Sasha,” they said, laughing.

“You’re only saying that because that poor guy isn’t here to defend himself,” said, laughing with them.

“No, it’s true, sestrichka. Sasha was always the hellion,” Viktor said.

“It’s because he’s short,” Ilya said, still laughing.

“He’s short? No way. You’re both giants. It clearly runs in your family,” I said

“It sk ipped him. He’s still not over it.” Viktor said, his deep laugh filling the room. I had to admit that I’d missed

hearing his laugh. He caught me looking at him thoughtfully.

“You’re lighter when you laugh now. You both are, actually. It’s good to see,” I said. I got up and went to the kitchen.

I didn’t say anything to either of them, I just started pulling out things I would need to make Stephen his favorite

cookies.

They both eventually followed me to the kitchen. “What are your plans now, ya? You’re done with your service,

no?” I asked, mostly to keep them from asking me what I was doing.

“I haven’t decided. I’m done, so now it’s time to figure out what I want to be when I grow up,” he said, his warm

smile across his face.

“What would be the dream setup?” I asked.

He glanced at Viktor, then back to me. “Something similar to what Viktor has, think. My training isn’t up to his

standards, but it’s similar. I can catch up quickly.”

40

I looked at Viktor. “Let him replace one of the little flowers. Hell, he could replace both of them and it would still be

better. Vitaliy is planning on staying in the city now for a bit, especially since he’s taking Armando’s house. ya will

still be close. Alyosha can catch his training up, too.”

Viktor looked to Ilya to gauge his interest in the idea. “That’s a good idea, sestrichka.”

“You have to make it Vitaliy’s idea though. He’s already looking for replacements for the little flowers, but they’ve

left a sour taste in his mouth, so to speak. Let him see Ilya training with us. It will start the relationship off better if

Vitaliy feels like he’s choosing you versus you asking him for a job,” I said. “He didn’t work out this morning, so he

will in the morning. Best to let him see Ilya before he moves.” I studied Ilya for a minute, then looked back at Viktor.

“He’s faster than you are, so either let him spar with Misha or me. It’ll make him look even better,” I said, winking

at Ilya.

“How did you know he was faster?” Viktor asked.

“He’s leaner like Misha. Misha is faster than you, Stephen, and Andrei. Ivan is deceptively fast for as big as he is, but

he’s also a special circumstance so he doesn’t necessarily count,” ! said.

1/2

3

“Apparently “x settled * Vann eðć, smiling

As Vikler must! Tha continued talking. ↑ muddenly had a thenight pop couldn’t help mireet! I did xay Dhoring a lull

in their

head !

Hy wasn’t going to like me bringing it up, but I ersation, I asked Viktor. “Rostra is coming to almost every night now,

isn’t he?*

it feels like

and I talking night now,

Viktor locked surprised for a moment, but then he smiled. “He is. It’s still

“He only came necasionally before becau He’s been waiting” I said

trn

ffrah for une). In

“How did you know? Viktor poked, surpri

“Wana pre in my head hurt.

fx you it’s easier for you to handle.

1 chrugged my shradders. “I don’

Viktor was thinking about something else, but he won unsure wherigen ke gharba vers reason 1 dar keled to keep

my mouth chit Incleat, I looksë së ta më taki

booking for it or not

anything. Kingya by’d spent as much tima preating me for Thịt why he’s been preiding me for no long *

† continued on with mis little project while the two of them talked to each ark went to hug him sam happy to see

you. † muide & oulword 19 cm (met

qualities, percess. Please mass stop, “ha respondlat de ka gat mu

What are you working on he asked, looking at Dec bond of cookie dough

i grinned at him. “litephens is still enjoring the extra energi be get,

1 frend op my hands ant

mour) chur”) said to him oljemi te

“You’re a birde bé + primoss. I fully support dis,” he said. The askord Välco + queue and ww, “h it just the

awkwardness? You’w a line all over the pins d’y why I con un harm

Har was protondling for Ijotions for bir answer, he askest

“Mostly, yes. I feel like there’s a connection somewhere that I’m missing Vinne et teen difeson than the meat of one

and I dont know why, but it’s keeping mmc tritated.”

“He hoch different to me toc, perm as s. It’s not just you. Same for The Mooke Teko. My webed about 1 salles

“It was at the point in the conversation where Ivan would respond to Vilkos, de oft

only been listening to Valdom that entire time and not talking to me as wel

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1129 ka what Wiüinor haat pour sand, like he’d –

“That was hacking impressive.”1 sail when Mäckor started tallong again. I could hear ban laugh in huu haut, beut

har Tack | went back to working on Stephen’s cookies, smiling to mussell.

man even husted at a smile on his