Chapter One Hundred Two

Chapter One Hundred Two

Adrik

"We've got enough evidence for the police to lock Ricardo up for a very long time, but if the mayor is in Ricardo's pocket, he won't go through with it. We're trying to work around that, if possible. It's a good move for the people of the city to see their politicians appearing to be tough on crime. We've gift-wrapped the doctor that created brawn and now Ricardo for them. We're just not sure this mayor will do anything with either, yet," I said.

"You got the guy that created brawn?" Trino asked, surprised. "I knew you stopped their plan. I didn't know you got the guy that created it in the first place." He looked at Gus, like he was angry about not being told.

"I didn't know either. I didn't not tell you on purpose, Jefe," Gus said defensively.

I chuckled. "We kept it quiet. He's a piece of work. We didn't want word getting around that we knew who he is and risk him running. The police have been after him for ten years," I said.

"Why so long?" Trino asked.

"He's been wanted for other reasons. He's a doctor. He does backroom procedures for cash. He's been doing procedures against people's will for years, but he would use a specific anesthesia combination that wiped people's memories, so nobody could remember what he looked like," Ivan said.

"How did you find him then?" Trino asked, curious.

"I remembered what he looked like. His drugs didn't work on me," Sephie said.

"Miha. Why did you go to him?" Trino asked.

"It was not by choice. But at least I could remember what he looked like. I gave the police a sketch of him. One of Sal's guys who's been feeding us information when it's convenient for him recognized him and told us he was the one behind the brawn," she said.

"So many coincidences that they become mathematically impossible," Trino said. He looked at Sephie very seriously. "Miha, you were always meant to be with Jefe."

She leaned her head back, so she could somewhat see me. "I know," she said sweetly.

We continued talking about possible outcomes for dealing with Ricardo and the remaining bosses as well as the Mexicans. We ordered food while we kept talking. Misha and Andrei ran upstairs to make Sephie's broth and get her antibiotics. She managed to eat a few bites of my food, but that's all she wanted. During a lull in the conversation, Misha said in Russian, "I'm surprised you're still awake, gazelle. Are you doing okay? Me and Andrei can go upstairs with you if you need to rest."

"I'm okay, my adorable Russian guardian. At least for a little while longer," Sephie said, smiling at him.

"How's Martin?" Sephie asked Trino. "Why didn't he come with you?" It was a seemingly innocent question, but I knew that Sephie rarely asked questions for no reason. I glanced at Misha, who got his usual faraway look that meant he was looking for Martin.

"Martin hates to travel, especially to the States. Especially in winter," Trino said. He seemed slightly tense when he answered her, where he'd been completely relaxed before.

I noticed Andrei glance at Sephie. She said quietly, in Russian, "He's lying." Andrei nodded in agreement. Misha cleared his throat, signaling that he'd seen something but it was over. I glanced around the room, noticing the looks happening between Trino's guys.

"Do you want me to pretend you're telling the truth and let it drop or do you want to tell me what happened?" Sephie asked, matter-of-factly.

Trino began cursing in Spanish. His guys were both amused and unsettled by Sephie's question. One of Trino's guys made the sign of the cross. He also 100 percent thinks Sephie is a witch. While he was cursing, Sephie asked Andrei, who was next to us on the couch, in Russian, "They're disagreeing on how to handle the Mexicans, no?" He nodded his head in agreement.

Misha said in Russian, "He's not in Colombia. I couldn't see very clearly. I need Sephie or Andrei to see it clearer, but he's not in Colombia."

Sephie nodded her head, but didn't say anything further. She was waiting to see what Trino wanted to do. When he didn't answer, she instead asked another question. "Was Martin with you when you took over or did he come after?"

"After. I took over by myself, basically," Trino said.

She was quiet for a moment, like she was thinking of the right words to say. "You need to be careful, Trino. Martin has been loyal to you up until now, but this disagreement has caused a bigger divide between you than you realize. He thinks his solution is better, but he doesn't understand the violence needed when dealing with certain people. It's going to get him killed."

I glanced at Trino's guys again. More of them were now making the sign of the cross. Yep, they're going to be scared of her from now on. Good. Trino looked shocked. "How…" he said, completely in shock.

"You would only be uncomfortable talking about him if you two had a disagreement. The only thing you could disagree on that is big enough to cause this much discomfort is the Mexicans," she said, shrugging her shoulders.

"Told you," Stephen said to Trino, winking at Sephie.

"Nice save, princess," Ivan said in Russian.

"You're right. Again. He thinks we can negotiate with the Mexicans. He doesn't understand how they do business. They are not to be trusted. Ever. They understand violence though. They've been quiet since I took over until Anthony and Lorenzo went to them," Trino said. We could hear the anger in his voice.

"The Mexicans think they have a real shot at overthrowing you. Not sure what Lorenzo told them, but given that they've already made one attempt on your life, they've been emboldened by whatever it was. They're not going to give that up easily, which is why I think it will be easy for Sal to continue to stay in contact with them," Sephie said.

Viktor cursed under his breath, then said in Russian, "I think there's a connection between Ricardo and the Mexicans that I glossed over before. I need to go back and check, but I'm remembering seeing something."

I nodded, saying, still in Russian, "We'll look into it tomorrow. I don't want to drag this out any longer tonight, for Sephie's sake." I could feel her getting tired, but she was still fighting it. Her ribs were starting to ache a little more than usual, which was a sign she'd been upright for too long.

"Remind me to always stay on your good side, Miha. I want to always be on your side," Trino said, laughing somewhat nervously.

After Trino and his guys left, the guys went to their apartments, leaving Sephie and I to go to the penthouse alone. Once we were in the bedroom, I started to help her undress. She still struggled to get her jeans on and off easily with one hand. "Trino's guys totally think you're a witch now," I said, laughing. I unbuttoned my shirt, so I could put it on her for the night.

She laughed. "I might've enjoyed that a little too much. They were all so nervous. It's too bad they don't normally talk around me. I could've really creeped them out. Maybe I'll scare Gus and Oscar next time," she said, a devilish grin on her face.

"I am curious where Martin is if he's not in Colombia. We'll have to see what else Misha can see tomorrow," I said, helping her into bed.

"I don't think it's going to be good news if he sees more," she said quietly as she laid down on her good side.

"We'll worry about it tomorrow. You need sleep, solnishko. You've been awake almost the entire day," I said, wrapping my arms around her and pulling her as tight against me as I could.

"It was a big day," she said, yawning. I could feel her relax as she pressed her body closer to mine. Her breathing slowed and I heard her make her cooing noises as she drifted off to sleep almost immediately.

I woke the next morning to find she was facing me, still sound asleep. That's progress if she can lie on her bad shoulder. I took a moment to watch her sleep. I'd missed being able to see her face when I first woke in the mornings. I brushed her curls from her face and felt her start to stir. I kissed her forehead, not really caring if she woke up yet. I'd happily lie here and watch her sleep.

It took her a few more minutes to finally wake up. When she opened her eyes, her gorgeous smile stretched across her face immediately. "Hi," she said sweetly. Since she wasn't lying on her good arm, she reached up and ran her fingers lightly through my facial hair. I closed my eyes, enjoying her touch. "I've missed this," she said.

"I'm surprised you're lying on your bad shoulder. And your ribs. It doesn't hurt you?" I asked.

"Not unless I move too much. I don't even remember turning over."

I opened my eyes once more. I could feel the warmth she felt in her body when she thought about me. I was struggling against my own desire for her. She laughed quietly. "Me too," she said, smiling at me. I leaned down and kissed her. Gently at first, but I couldn't help myself. I deepened the kiss, pulling her to me. I grabbed her leg, putting it over the top of mine, holding her ass firmly. She moaned quietly, her breaths coming faster and harder. I knew I had to stop or risk her not being able to catch her breath. I cursed as I stopped the kiss, rolling onto my back so I wouldn't be tempted to continue.

I felt her hand on my stomach and heard her say, "Sorry," quietly as she worked to catch her breath.

"You shouldn't be. It's not your fault you're in this condition. You can bet Armando will pay for it later though," I said. I could feel my anger coming to the surface thinking about taking my frustrations out on Armando for doing this to Sephie. I glanced at her when she stayed quiet. She had her eyes closed again. "You okay, solnishko?" I asked, running my fingers lightly over her cheek.

She smiled at me, but didn't open her eyes. She nodded her head, then said, "I can feel your anger very strongly. I think it's turned my eyes dark and I don't want to make things worse for you than they already are."

I laughed, my anger disappearing slowly. I kissed her forehead. "You can open your eyes, love. You won't make things worse."

She slowly opened her eyes. They were still dark, but in the process of turning normal again. I'd never seen it as it happened before. It was fascinating. I could clearly see the dark brown, almost black color fade into the background as the normal three rings of color returned. "Did you do that on purpose?" I asked.

"Do what on purpose?"

"I could watch them change this time. I've never seen it as it happened. It was incredible. It was like watching the night sky slowly wake up and turn into day," I said, still mesmerized by her eyes.

"That sounds really complicated. I for sure didn't do that on purpose," she said, laughing.

I kissed her gently. "You're amazing."

The guys were waiting on us as usual when we came out from the bedroom. She seemed like she had more energy this morning than she'd had in weeks. I didn't have to wait on her to walk slowly down the hallway. The guys noticed she was brighter this morning too.

"You look much better this morning, gazelle," Misha said. He smiled at her, but was clearly surprised as well.

"I feel better this morning. First time I haven't been in a fog when I wake up in a while," she said. "I might actually want real food this morning too."

Misha looked around at everyone else. "Thank God you're all here to witness it this time. I can't handle the pressure of how to document these milestones in her life," he said.

For the first time since she'd been hurt, she laughed without grabbing her ribs. I could feel the dull ache that was constantly present there, but no sharp pains this time. It was a nice change.

"Let's make a deal," she said, turning to me. I raised my eyebrow at her, wondering what she had in mind. "If I can eat real food for breakfast, then we can try Andrei's idea of Misha using both of us to find Sal as well as Martin. I want to know what those two are doing," she said.

"Deal," I said. I also wanted to know what those two were doing. If Martin was trying to make a deal with the Mexicans behind Trino's back, that could put Trino in even more danger. The smile that she gave me when I agreed made my heart stop.

"How did you know that Trino and Martin were disagreeing on what to do with the Mexicans, princess?" Ivan asked.

"It just popped in my head. That's how it works for me. Trino was thinking about it, probably trying to decide if he should bring it up or not. Given his reaction, I think he'd decided to not bring it up," she said.

"His guys think she's a witch now too," I said, laughing.

Andrei laughed. "I noticed several of them made the sign of the cross. At least we don't have to worry about them around her now. They won't want to be around her."

"Did you have the same thing pop in your head, Andrei?" Stephen asked. "I know you knew Trino was lying when he made excuses for Martin not being here."

Andrei nodded his head. "I didn't get as many details as Sephie though. I knew they'd had an argument, but that was all I could tell. She filled in way more details and Misha confirmed when he said Martin wasn't in Colombia."

"It does make me nervous if he's not in Colombia. I wanted to ask Trino if he knew where Martin was, but he clearly didn't want to talk about it," I said.

"We can find out more after breakfast," Sephie said, grinning at me. Andrei got up to make her the usual bowl of broth, since that seemed to be helping the most right now.

Viktor had been busy on his computer since we walked into the kitchen, likely trying to find the connection between Ricardo and the Mexicans he'd mentioned the night before. His phone beeped, indicating food was waiting for us. He started to get up, but Stephen put his hand on his shoulder. "I'll get it. You keep working. I'd like some real answers today," he said as he got up to get food.

After Sephie managed to eat half her breakfast, plus the entire bowl of broth, she got up on her own from the kitchen island. She motioned for Andrei and Misha to come with her. She glanced over her shoulder, asking the rest of us, "Sal first or Martin first?"

We looked at each other, then answered, "Martin first."

She giggled. "Good. That's what I wanted too." She'd stopped in the open area between the kitchen and the living room, grabbing Misha's hand with her one free hand. "Somehow I think this will work even better once I have two hands again, but we'll see how it goes this time," she said. Andrei extended his hand to Misha as well. Misha got his usual faraway look in his eyes as he searched for Martin. After just a minute, Andrei and Sephie were clearly watching something that the rest of us couldn't see.

"Got him," Misha said quietly. They watched for a few moments, then Misha's broad smile stretched across his face. "You got sound, gazelle," he said as she laughed quietly. They continued watching, the looks on their faces turning very serious. After a few minutes, the movie was apparently over.

Misha was smiling ear-to-ear as he said, "That was the clearest one yet, gazelle. I've never had sound before."

She looked at Andrei. "It was Bubba. He's the power boost we needed." Andrei was trying not to be too surprised at what had happened, but he was still coming to terms with it.

Misha looked to us, saying, "Martin is with the Mexicans. We could hear them, but since none of us speaks Spanish, I have no clue what they were saying. It looked like they were negotiating though. Then somebody hit the fast-forward button." He paused, running his hand through his hair. "This is not going to end well for Martin."

"They're going to use him as revenge for killing Anthony and Lorenzo. He'll be displayed in a very public way, so Trino can't mistake the message," Andrei said.

Sephie was quietly chewing on her bottom lip, contemplating what they'd just seen. She looked to me. "I think we can stop it, but it would have to come from Trino, which means he's going to know what we can do." She glanced at Ivan after looking at me.

"I don't like the idea of him knowing, but if they kill Martin like you say, it's going to start another war. Guaranteed," Ivan said.

I pulled my phone from my pocket, dialing Trino's number. He picked up on the first ring. "Jefe, you're calling early," he said. We could hear the surprise in his voice.

"Trino, you need to come to the penthouse. Your guys can wait downstairs. It's important," I said.

"I'll be there in ten minutes," Trino said and hung up.

Viktor, who had still been searching on his computer this whole time, finally found what he was looking for. "Found the link between Ricardo and the Mexicans. It's a deal from years ago, when Vitaliy was still in charge. Major development deal in Mexico. He also has a multi-million-dollar house there. Ricardo is the link between the Mexicans and Lorenzo."

Sephie turned to look at Misha and Andrei. She grabbed Misha's hand again, saying, "Let's find Sal before Trino gets here. I should be able to know what they're saying this time, if he's with Ricardo like I think he's going to be."

They went through the process again to find Sal this time. It went faster this time, but they watched for longer. Misha and Andrei both looked to Sephie when the movie only they could see stopped. She was chewing on her bottom lip again. She looked up at them, then to me. "He's using the Mexicans as his army. Since we took out half the bosses already, he needs manpower. This wasn't about going around Trino on the bosses' end. That came from the Mexicans. Ricardo needs manpower. He promised to support them in taking out Trino if they helped him take you out," she said. "Sal is angry about Lorenzo and wants vengeance. Never mentioned Anthony though. That was weird."

"Sal is with Ricardo now?" Ivan asked.

Misha nodded his head. "They're definitely in Italy, but I'm not sure exactly where," he said.

Andrei walked to Viktor. "Something looked familiar. I've seen it in pictures before, but I don't know what it's called," he said. Viktor pushed his computer toward Andrei, so he could try and find their location. It only took a few minutes and he had found where they were. "They're in Amalfi." He looked to Misha. "You were close yesterday. It's really close to Naples."

Viktor's phone rang, indicating that Trino was downstairs. "Be right back," he said as he walked out. Sephie walked to me, tucking herself into my side. I could feel her nerves beginning to get bad. I pulled her to me, saying quietly, "I love you. More than anything, but a little more each day." She sighed and rested her head against my chest. "How much did that zap you?" I asked.

"I feel it, but it wasn't like the first time. Andrei definitely helped take most of it. It didn't zap him at all the first time he did it. He must have superpowers," she said, laughing.

"Andrei still holds back, gazelle. That's why it's not quite as clear with him. You don't hold back," Misha said. "I figured out the difference this time."

Ivan laughed. "Sephie doesn't know what that means."

"Squish is right. I did not know holding back was an option," she said.

Viktor walked in with Trino, who looked quite nervous. "Jefe, what's going on?" he asked.

Before I could answer, Sephie said, "Trino, Martin is going to be killed. I can explain how I know, but I think you already have an idea of how I know. I've seen it. It's going to be very violent and it's going to be a very public declaration of war."

Trino cursed in Spanish. "I told him that negotiations were pointless."

"He's there now, Trino. Have you talked to him since you've been in the city?" I asked.

"No, Jefe. I told him when I left to stay in Colombia since he wouldn't come with me."

"He didn't listen. He's in Mexico. You're the only one that would be able to convince him to get out of there before they kill him. He still has a chance to escape, but not for long. He has to leave now," Sephie said. She had an urgent edge to her voice that Trino heard. He looked at her thoughtfully for a moment, then pulled his phone from his pocket. We listened to his conversation with Martin, but no one could understand it. It got heated, then ended with Trino clearly pleading with Martin. He took a moment to collect himself once the call ended, then looked to Sephie.

"Miha, you have the gift. My grandmother did too. I thought you might because you know too much," he said, smiling at her. "You were right. He's in Mexico. I told him what would happen if he stayed. I don't know if he's going to listen to me. He's very stubborn."

I glanced at Misha who was checking on the potential outcomes. He ran his hand up and down his arm to rub out the goosebumps. Sephie noticed too. "He'll listen," she said. Trino sighed, clearly stressed about the entire situation.

"Even if he gets out, they're still likely to declare war," Ivan said. "Ricardo is using them as an army to try and overthrow Boss. You're their reward for helping Ricardo."

I recognized one or two of the curse words that came out of Trino's mouth, since Sephie had clued me in on what they meant. She tried not to laugh, but she was always so amused at Trino's tirades.

"Don't worry. If it comes to that, we'll help you stop it. We're looking for ways to prevent it though," I said. Trino simply nodded his head.

He looked at Sephie, a sly smile evident on one side of his mouth. "My guys are all scared of you now, Miha. They're going to struggle to be in the same room as you after they hear about this."

While I hadn't thought much about it the night before, I suddenly had a strong feeling of unease when it came to Trino's guys being around Sephie.

Sephie shrugged her shoulders. "You can tell them I don't pry, but they're not going to listen. But make sure they understand what will happen to them if they think burning the witch is a thing that should be brought back. Feel free to embellish as much as you want on that one," she said very seriously. I tensed at the thought, my anger unexpectantly rising to the surface. I knew she felt it as she took a step toward Trino. "Your guys or not, I will end them if they ever so much as think about coming after me because of this."

I knew by the look on Trino's face that her eyes were dark. He was completely shocked as well as afraid. She was using it to her advantage. Just for emphasis, all the guys stood up and surrounded her as she stepped back to me. I felt Ivan's protective bubble around us as he told Trino that it was best to stay with us, rather than against us. I felt Sephie's hand on top of mine as I slid it around her waist, pulling her back against me.

Trino's eyes were wide. He put his hands up, like he was worried something would happen. "No worries. That will never be a problem. I'll take care of it myself if one of them even thinks of doing anything to harm you," he said.

Sephie reached up and touched Ivan's back, who was standing in front of her. I felt the bubble disappear as he turned to look at her. His face softened immediately when he looked at her, so I knew she was smiling at him. He stepped out of the way, so she could see Trino once more.

"I give you my word, it will not be a problem, Miha," Trino said. Sephie simply nodded her head.