Chapter Ten

Sephie

I grabbed Adrik’s hands and pulled him with me to the bathroom so I could put my contacts back in. “You were right. There is more to what your mother told me. I didn’t know how much you wanted Ivan to know right now,” I said.

He chuckled. “I thought you were holding back.”

“It’s nothing big, but I still think you should hear it before anyone else does,” I said. I had stopped in front of the mirror, pulling his arms around my waist as he stood behind me. He rested his chin on my shoulder as I went about putting the contacts in. “She said she wanted to thank me for bringing you and Vitaliy together.” I paused and looked at Adrik in the mirror. “I know you’re about to be shocked, but I argued with her and told her I hadn’t done anything.” He laughed as he moved my hair out of the way so he could kiss my shoulder. “She said that much of Vitaliy’s light died with her and he was almost overtaken by his own darkness, but that I was the spark he needed to remember his own light. I told her that you were right and I was just really good at getting grumpy men to laugh.”

“You’re very good at that,” he said, smiling as he continued to kiss my neck.

“I did ask her if she was special like Vitaliy and you. She said she wasn’t. She said all your power comes from Vitaliy. Apparently all mine comes from my dad. But I think she’s special in her own right. She said she accepted Vitaliy completely for who he is right away. He said something similar to me the first day we were here. It takes a very special person to be able to do that, especially with someone as complicated as Vitaliy.”

I turned to face him, after finishing with the contacts. “She told me that Vitaliy has a giant heart for the people he cares about, much like you do. He just struggles to show it. Even more than you do. That’s when I called him a cheeseball again and she made me promise to tell him I called him that.”

Adrik laughed. “I would actually pay to see that as well. Did she say anything else?”

“She did.” I stood on my toes and pressed my lips to his gently. “She said you worry about me the same way Vitaliy used to worry about her. Ivan is almost as bad. Then she said that you all were good men. She said you needed to know that the Universe knows that you’re good men.”

I could see Adrik struggling with what I’d just told him. I watched as several emotions flashed across his face. I could see the internal struggle as he fought whether to believe her words or not.

“She’s right, you know. You are good men. Anybody with half a brain knows you’re good men,” I said, my fingers lightly running over his cheek. His breath hitched as he looked at me, his arms wrapped completely around me, holding me tightly against him. He didn’t say a word, he just held me until our five minutes were likely up and we had to rejoin everyone else.

“We should go back out. They’re going to come check on me again,” I said, loosening my hold on him.

“Not yet,” was all he said, as he pulled me closer to him. I rested my head against his hard chest. I felt his head resting on top of mine as his arms moved to keep me as close to him as possible. We stood like that for a few more minutes as I tried to help calm his storms.

We’d been back in the city for a few days. Trino was staying at the building while Viktor and Ivan helped him get a new security team setup. Gus, Oscar, and Chen were helping Trino with whatever he needed as much as they could as well.

“I’m taking the ‘baddest motherfuckers in Colombia label’ away from them, Oscar. They’re all pussies,” I said, when we were talking about Trino’s former security team being scared of me.

“That’s fair. Totally fair,” Oscar said, laughing. “I did not expect them to wet themselves over the thought of you.”

“I really want to say that I have that effect on people, but that would just be wrong,” I said, laughing.

“Miha, don’t take it personal. We all know the truth. Don’t judge all Colombian men by the cowardice of a few,” Trino said.

“Still trying to get her to come to Colombia, man?” Gus asked. He was both amused and surprised at Trino’s words.

“A man can try,” Trino said, laughing as they went to leave Adrik’s office.

Viktor, Ivan, and Stephen had just left for the airport to pick up Vitaliy and his men, who were set to arrive that evening. I walked to Adrik, who was still finishing up a few things. “I’m going to head upstairs to get started on dinner,” I said, my hand running over the back of his shoulders as he leaned over his desk.

“Just a few minutes and I’ll be done. Take the Wonder Twins with you,” he said, looking up at me, a sly smile on his face. I laughed at his use of my new nickname for Andrei and Misha. I leaned down and pressed my lips to his. “I can wait on you, if you like,” I said against his lips. He reached up and grabbed the back of my neck as he groaned quietly. He sucked my bottom lip into his mouth, his tongue brushing lightly over it, which made my thighs clench in response. I heard him chuckle as he felt my response to his kiss. “I’ll get done much faster if I feel like I have to chase you upstairs,” he said.

I smiled as I stood up. “Then get back to work,” I said as seriously as I could. He laughed and smacked my ass as I turned to leave.

I walked to Misha’s and Andrei’s desks quickly. There were still plenty of people here, as the workday wasn’t over yet and I could feel everyone’s eyes on me as I walked from Adrik’s office. Since Armando had taken me and Ivan, I’d garnered way more attention from the people in the office than I ever wanted to. It still made me uncomfortable.

They both noticed when I got to their desks. Misha stood up immediately and stood between me and any lingering eyes. “Are you going to start dinner, gazelle?” Misha asked, shielding me from view.

“Yep. You guys want to help?”

“Don’t ask stupid questions, spider monkey,” Andrei said as he closed his computer and got up from his desk. He shot Misha a look as he turned away from me. Before I knew it, Misha grabbed me by my hips, picking me up so I could hitch a ride with Andrei. “Close your eyes. Then you won’t see them looking at you,” Andrei said quietly.

I laughed quietly. “You two are my favorite. Don’t tell the others.”

Once we were in the safety of the elevator, Misha looked over at me. “Why does it still make you nervous when people look at you? You know that people generally tend to stare at beautiful women, right?”

I smiled at him. They were all so sweet to me. Sometimes it was overwhelming how much they cared about me. “I don’t always get the feeling that they’re staring because of that, my adorable Russian guardian. It always feels the same as when Sal was looking at my boobs and Armando was looking at me after he cut my clothes off. Even when I know it’s not, that’s what it feels like. I don’t like it.”

Andrei held onto my legs a little tighter. “Don’t worry, spider monkey. You’re so tiny next to us that they won’t be able to look at you. We’ll protect you. I’ll carry you everywhere so you can close your eyes and won’t have to see them, if you want.”

“Bubba, you’re my favorite,” I said, squeezing his neck a little tighter. Before Misha could protest, I added, “You are too, my adorable Russian guardian. Don’t think I’ve already forgotten you just told me I was beautiful.” His handsome wide smile stretched across his face as we walked off the elevator.

Andrei and Misha just nodded to the guards outside the penthouse. “Spider monkey,” they both said as we walked past. It’s a perfectly reasonable explanation.

“All of Vitaliy’s guys are coming to dinner, too?” Andrei asked. I’d put him to work helping me and I think he was protesting at the amount of work in front of him.

“I assume so, but I don’t know for sure. I never really asked, now that I think about it. But I figure if they don’t, then there will be leftovers for you guys,” I said.

“I’m going to tell him not to bring them, then,” Misha said.

“Is it just because of the leftovers or you don’t like his men?” I asked, curious.

“Mostly the leftovers, but I think we’re all still unsure about unknown people since Trino’s guys,” Misha said.

“It’s obvious that Aleksei is the only one that Vitaliy trusts completely. That makes me nervous for the rest of them,” Andrei said.

“Did something happen that you’re not telling me about?” I asked. I could understand they were nervous since having to deal with Trino’s guys, but it seemed like they were overly nervous.

They both looked at each other like they were trying to talk the other one into answering my question. “You realize I can fish it out of your head if you don’t tell me …” I said, stopping what I was doing and crossing my arms across my chest.

“I would like to see you try,” Misha said, a sly grin on his face.

“Challenge accepted, my adorable Russian guardian.” I walked over to him, searching his eyes the same way I would with Adrik. It took me longer, but once I got past his very weak internal protests, I could read him like a book. He was still smirking at me, thinking that I was struggling, so I let him think he could shut me out for a few more moments.

When I turned to walk away from him, I caught Andrei’s eye. He had picked up on what was happening and was waiting for me to tell Misha everything. Those two were like brothers. They enjoyed seeing the other one not be able to get away with something.

“It’s not all his men. It’s only the new ones. The guys who have been with him for years are still solid, but the two new guys are a bit too braggadocious for your liking. They targeted you and Bubba when we were in Panama since you two are the youngest. That’s why you don’t like them. They’re assholes and picked on you when they don’t even know you,” I said. I was actually starting to get angry at the thought of them being mean to Andrei and Misha for no reason. I knew my eyes were going dark, but they wouldn’t be able to see through the contacts. I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm, so Adrik wouldn’t rush upstairs as well. “We have a couple of options here. Either I can find the perfect way to emasculate them in front of everyone, or I can tell Vitaliy they’re not allowed to come, or you two put them in their places.”

Andrei chuckled. “You’re mad that they picked on us, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I am. I didn’t know about it when we were down there. Otherwise I would’ve put a stop to it then.”

“It always happened when you were away with Boss and Vitaliy,” Misha said.

“What kind of training do they have? Same as you guys?”

“I don’t know. I know the guys that have been with him for a while have much the same training as we do, but I don’t know about these guys. They haven’t been with Vitaliy for very long. They were with him the last time we saw him, but that was a couple of years ago,” Andrei said. He was trying to be subtle about it, but I could tell he was watching my eyes as we talked. I knew it was only a matter of time before they noticed that my demon eyes had stopped making appearances when I got angry and I’d have to come clean about my untamed eyes.

I thought for a few minutes while I went back to working on dinner. “I think it’ll stick if you two find a way to put them in their place. In front of everyone. If they don’t have the same training as you do, then it should be quite easy. That’s the best way. Much like with Mike, guys like them respect brute strength more than anything. I also can’t see Vitaliy putting up with them being disrespectful toward you guys, but he likely doesn’t know about it yet.”

Adrik walked into the penthouse, looking slightly concerned. I knew he’d felt my anger. I smiled at him. “It’s okay. I was just angry because I found out a couple of your father’s guys were assholes to the Wonder Twins while we were in Panama.”

“Which guys?” he asked, as he walked to me. He immediately bristled as well.

“The new guys. The guys who have been with Vitaliy for a while are fine, as always. The two new guys were jerks to Bubba and Misha because they’re the youngest,” I said, leaning into Adrik as he slid his arms around my waist from behind. He softly kissed my neck.

“When did this happen?”

“Usually when you were gone with Vitaliy,” Andrei said.

I could feel Adrik’s anger rise another notch. “Because they know my father would never allow that so they did it while he was away. Did Aleksei or any of his other men see it?”

“Not that I know of. They were usually talking with the other guys,” Misha said.

“They were just assholes toward you two? Did they say anything else about anyone else?” Adrik asked.

Andrei sighed. “They never said it out loud. Does that count?”

“What did you pick up on, Bubba?” I asked. Andrei seemed suddenly nervous.

“I swear I wasn’t poking around in anyone’s head,” he said. He looked legitimately worried we’d be mad.

I laughed. “I believe you, Bubba. Sometimes people’s thoughts scream at me. It’s hard to ignore.”

“Oh, thank God it’s not just me,” he said.

“What were they thinking?” Adrik asked.

“Lots of animosity toward you, some toward Sephie. One of them thinks Sephie is going to make Vitaliy weak,” Andrei said.

Adrik and I both stood silent for a few moments. I could feel his anger, feeding into mine. I knew he was more worried about them thinking anything negatively toward me, but I also knew he wouldn’t stand for them disrespecting his men either. It didn’t matter that they were his father’s men.

“Gazelle, have you mastered keeping your demon eyes back now? I can tell you’re angry right now, but your eyes are normal,” Misha asked, clearly curious.

Adrik looked down at me, a small smile on his face. “She’s wearing contacts,” he said.

“I knew it!” Andrei said.

Both Adrik and I laughed. “Her eyes have been doing more than just going dark, but I was struggling with feeling jealous after she was hurt for so long, so we kept it a secret. Ivan is the only one who knows, because he felt her panic and saw them before she could hide it. We knew it was only a matter of time before the rest of you figured it out.”

“What else are they doing?” Misha asked.

I looked to Adrik to explain, since he was the one who saw it happening. “Much like when her eyes go dark, the other colors of her eyes take over for different emotions. The only one that’s completely different is when she’s afraid. They go almost white when she’s scared. It’s scarier than her demon eyes and the reason we decided to get her contacts. She struggles with controlling her fear when it comes on. The other emotions she can control, much like her demon eyes,” he said.

“Is it the same color for the same emotion each time?” Andrei asked.

I nodded my head. “So far, green means sarcasm, blue means I’m thinking about how much I love him, light brown means I’m sad, white means I’m scared, and black means run.” Adrik laughed as he kissed my temple.

“They also sometimes constantly change, like they can’t pick a color to stick to. That’s happened a few times recently,” he said.

“You had the contacts when we were in Panama, gazelle?” Misha asked.

“Yep. I got them the day before we left.”

Both Andrei and Misha exhaled loudly, looking at each other. “Good call. We’re glad you did that. I don’t think it would’ve gone well if they saw your eyes change,” Andrei said.

I couldn’t help but laugh. I looked at Adrik. “See, I told you they would scare everyone.”

“They don’t scare us, gazelle. But everyone else is obviously not as smart as we are,” Misha said, grinning at me.

“You make a strong argument, Misha,” I said, winking at him.

Andrei looked at his watch, then looked at Adrik, then to me. “They’re still not due back for a while. Can we see?” he asked tentatively.

Adrik looked to me, but I put it back on him. “It’s your call and only your call,” I said, still working on making enough food to feed a small army. Adrik looked thoughtfully at me for a few moments, then smiled. I could tell he was sad to no longer have the secret, but he also seemed happy to show them. Like he was proud of how weird I was becoming. He simply nodded his head.

I went to take the contacts out, thankful to have a few moments without them. When I came back to the kitchen, I was still rubbing my eyes intermittently.

“The contacts bother you, huh?” Andrei asked when he saw me rubbing my eyes.

“Yeah, I can handle them for short periods but they make my eyes itch when I wear them for longer periods,” I said. I walked to Adrik. It was easy to think about how much I loved him, which I knew would turn my eyes blue. The look in his eyes let me know it had worked. He wrapped one arm around me, but motioned for both Andrei and Misha to come to us.

He jerked his head slightly in my direction. “Blue means she’s thinking about how much she loves me,” he said, showing the Wonder Twins.

“That’s your normal blue. It just took over the other two colors,” Misha said. He was fascinated by my new trick.

“I call them my mood ring eyes now, since they seem to change with my ever-changing moods,” I said, laughing. I watched as Andrei and Misha’s eyes got bigger, signaling that my eyes had switched to green.

“Green usually means sarcasm,” Adrik said.

“But you still have the demon eyes, right?” Andrei asked.

I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to make them go dark. When I opened my eyes, they both laughed. “Yep, still there,” Misha said.

“What were the other ones?” Andrei asked.

“White means I’m scared. I’d rather not have to show you that one right now. I don’t know how far away it still works on Ivan, but he definitely feels it when I’m scared. I don’t want to distract him right now,” I said.

“The only other one we’ve seen is when they turned golden brown, almost amber, when she was thinking about Trino seeing his mom for the last time,” Adrik said. “That’s only happened once, though.”

“You don’t have to try to show us that one, either. I can’t wait until you start making up new colors. I want to see purple and orange next. Get inventive, spider monkey,” Andrei said, teasing me.

“I would try if I had any clue it was happening. I was only just barely getting a handle on the demon eyes and they started doing this on their own. I don’t have a clue when it’s happening. It’s not like I can feel it. I just see it in his expression that they’ve changed, but I still sometimes have to ask what color they are,” I said, looking at Adrik.

“Are you going to tell Stephen and Viktor about it?” Misha asked. He couldn’t keep the grin off his face when he asked.

“Might as well. They’ve both likely noticed the absence of her demon eyes, just as you did,” Adrik said.

“Ten bucks says Stephen offers to turn you into a vampire because of it,” Misha said.

“You’re on,” I said, laughing at him.

I managed to pull Adrik away from the Wonder Twins when I went to put the contacts back in before Viktor got back with Vitaliy and his men. He was standing behind me in his new favorite spot while I put my contacts in, his arms wrapped around my waist, his chin resting on my shoulder.

“You’re okay with having told them?” I asked. I was fairly certain he didn’t mind telling them, but I also knew how much he loved having a secret that was just between us.

“Of course, solnishko. I knew it was only a matter of time before they found out. I sometimes forget how observant they all are, especially of you. Ivan just has a leg up because he can feel your emotions like I can, but given what happened earlier, I think Misha might be tapping into that as well. You didn’t look angry when he asked about your demon eyes. You never look angry, unless you’re an absolute raging inferno, and even then, you generally only look slightly miffed,” he said, rubbing his stubble against my neck lightly.

I laughed. “I wasn’t a raging inferno, but I was angry about them being picked on. I wish I would’ve known it was happening while we were down there. I would’ve put a stop to it,” I said. I caught him smiling at me in the mirror as I put the second contact in. It was a strange sight to see my one seemingly normal eye and one demon eye.

“You should only wear one contact at a time, just to fuck with people,” he said, laughing.

“I don’t think the guys are going to like how busy that’s going to keep them, fighting off random people who think I’m possessed.”

“Worth it,” he said, still laughing, his lips against my neck. “As for the Wonder Twins’ problem, I’ll talk to Vitaliy. Those guys haven’t been with him long, but I won’t stand for them disrespecting my men.”

“Is that going to cause even more problems, though? If they already have animosity toward you and me, will that just make it worse? What if Andrei and Misha give them an old-fashioned attitude adjustment? Do you think that will work? Do Vitaliy’s guys have the same kind of training that your guys do?” I asked.

“The other guys do. I don’t know about these two. They haven’t been with my father very long. Two of his guys retired a few years ago, so he needed replacements. I don’t know much about these two. Aleksei will know,” he said.

“I know they’re both bothered by it, even though they’re trying to act like they’re not. Misha made me fish what happened out of his head. He’s really bothered by it. I’m sure Bubba is too. They’re both the sensitive ones, but they also shouldn’t have to deal with this. It makes me want to punch both of your father’s guys in the nose.”

“If I haven’t told you lately, you’re extra adorable when your hackles go up,” he said, turning me to face him.

“I don’t have hackles,” I said, matter-of-factly.

“Oh, you do. They go up even when you don’t like someone’s tone with one of us. It’s very endearing,” he said. “I sometimes want to make it worse and then turn you loose, just to see what will happen.”

“You’re a little bit evil,” I said, laughing at him.

“That’s a lie. I’m a lot evil,” he said, pressing his lips to mine.