The Underworld Series, page 42
Giana sat beside Armando, smiling shyly at me with Ivan as we walked past her. I felt bad for her. I knew Ivan enjoyed intimidating people, but I also recognized there was a deeper purpose for his gruff exterior. He was a complicated man, but I adored him despite his prickly exterior. I trusted his demons to expose Giana’s bad side, if there was one. I wasn’t going to stand in the way of that. If Armando was interested in her the way I thought he was, he deserved to have someone love him for him, not for his money and power.
It wasn’t long and someone knocked on the office door, dropping off two keys for Armando and Giana, telling them where their apartments were located. They were on the fifth floor, not far from Ms. Jackson and Mr. Turner. I hadn’t seen them since we got back.
“I can show them where their apartments are. I haven’t seen Ms. Jackson or Mr. Turner since we got back anyway. I want to stop by and say hi,” I said.
Adrik looked to me, smiling. He nodded his head, then looked to Viktor and Ivan. “One of you go with her.” He stood and pulled me to him, kissing my lips gently. “I’ll be here when you’re done.” He kissed my cheek, then whispered, “Don’t be too long.”
I felt my cheeks flush. I smiled at him, noticing the spark in his eye.
I looked to Viktor and Ivan. “Who’s coming with me?” I said dramatically.
They looked at each other, shrugged their shoulders, and both walked toward me. “We haven’t seen Ms. Jackson or Mr. Turner either,” Viktor said.
“Aww, Viktor. You’re all soft and nougaty too. I love it.”
We stepped off the elevator, turning in the opposite direction from Ms. Jackson and Mr. Turner’s apartments. Armando was talking as usual. Giana was quietly listening to him. I think she was the only one who was listening to him. It made me smile.
“Here you are. Do you guys need anything? Are you hungry? We can have someone grab you some food,” I asked.
Armando looked to Giana, who nodded her head. I smiled at her. “What are your feelings on sandwiches that will change your life?” Viktor and Ivan chuckled behind me.
Armando looked at me, his eyebrows raised. I looked surprised. “Tell me you know about Vinny’s, Mando?” He shook his head no. I turned to Viktor and Ivan. “You guys don’t share the gift that is Vinny’s?” my hands on my hips, trying to fake outrage.
“Well, uh, no. No, we don’t,” Viktor said.
“That’s fair. That’s totally fair. I’ll allow it.”
I turned back to Armando and Giana. “Given this is a special circumstance, you’re about to be allowed access into the inner sanctum of gastro-intestinal heaven. Prepare yourselves. This will, in fact, change your lives.”
Ivan laughed. “You should head up Vinny’s next marketing campaign.”
Chapter Forty-Five
Sephie
We left Armando and Giana to relax. Viktor made arrangements for someone to pick up sandwiches for them. They could eat and relax the rest of the evening. We walked to the other side of the floor to Mr. Turner’s apartment. I knocked on his door and waited. No answer. I knocked one more time. I looked at Viktor, “What time is it?”
“5:30,” he said.
“He should be home by now,” I said, somewhat perplexed.
I walked across the hall to Ms. Jackson’s apartment and knocked on her door. We heard movement inside, then she opened the door.
“Oh, my! Either I just died and you boys are here to escort me to the other side or you’re really standing there!” she exclaimed, clutching her chest.
I laughed. “It’s really us, Ms. Jackson. We’re real.” I walked to her, hugging her. I missed this woman.
“Get in here. You’re a sight for sore eyes. And I’m happy to see you too, child.” She laughed as she ushered us all in her apartment. When we walked in, Mr. Turner was sitting at her table.
“Miss Sephie! It’s better than wonderful to see you again!” He stood up to give me a hug. I always felt like he was the grandfather I never knew. I hugged him tightly. He offered his hand to Viktor and Ivan. “It’s good to see you both as well. I knew there had to be something to the reports that your boss had died. I just couldn’t believe it.”
Ivan nodded, cutting his eyes to me. “It did not go completely to plan, but ultimately it worked out.” He slid his arm around my shoulders as he was talking. I leaned my head against his shoulder.
“Don’t make me have to kick your ass in front of them,” I said under my breath. He coughed but held it together.
Ms. Jackson asked, “Where have you guys been? You had to go somewhere to lay low for a while, I’m sure. Did you need people to believe he was dead?”
Viktor nodded, surprised at her response. They still didn’t know about her past. I would let her tell them about that, when and if she was ready. Even without her past as a spy, she was still a very astute woman. There wasn’t much that got past her.
“But everyone is fine and alive? We haven’t lost any eye candy, have we? I have big plans for Bingo, you know.”
We all laughed. Ivan looked very seriously at her. “Name the time and place, Ms. Jackson. We will gladly accompany you.” Viktor nodded in agreement.
She blushed, laughing. “Lord, I don’t think you’re ready for the number of heart attacks you’ll be responsible for.”
We spent a few more minutes visiting with them both before taking our leave. I knew Viktor and Ivan had to be exhausted. I also knew Adrik would be glad for the interruption when I went back to his office. Almost as glad as I would be to deliver that interruption.
We stepped onto the elevator and were immediately hit with the strongest perfume smell. I coughed as the doors closed, barely able to breathe. As I pulled my shirt over my nose, I had a flash of the sidewalk by the hotel where Mr. Turner worked. I could see Misha one step in front of me, looking back to me just as we were both hit. Why am I thinking about that day? I shook my head, trying to let go of those thoughts.
My brain shifted to the night of the ball, in the bathroom, when I overheard the two women talking about Adrik. Something felt familiar. I looked at Viktor and Ivan, who were looking at each other knowingly.
The elevator doors couldn’t open fast enough for them. Ivan took my hand in his as he led me toward Adrik’s office quickly. The smell of perfume was getting stronger the closer to the office we got.
When we walked through the door to his office, I was not emotionally prepared to find another woman sitting on the edge of his desk. He had pushed his chair to the complete opposite end of his desk, like he was trying to get away from her. He looked angry but was trying to control it. Ivan glanced at me, a look of concern on his face. I felt his grip on my hand tighten slightly. I smirked at him, knowing he was worried I was about to lose my shit on this woman.
As soon as Adrik saw us, he stood, walking around the opposite side of his desk to stay as far from her as he could. He held his arm out for me, a look of relief on his face. I went to him, tucking myself into his side. He looked worried, like Ivan did. He held me against him tightly.
“Who’s this?” I tried to be as calm as possible, but I know they all heard the slight edge of anger to my voice.
She had turned to face us when we walked in the office. She was barely wearing any clothes. Her skirt was so short and so tight that it barely covered her. She had what basically amounted to a bra on that only covered her breasts. Her stomach and shoulders were completely bare. Doesn’t she ever get cold? She looked like she shopped at the same store that Armando’s ex-girlfriend shopped at. She had long black hair that fell almost to her barely covered ass. Her olive skin was on full display. She was short, thin. She likely watched what she ate, to keep her thin frame, but she’d definitely never picked up a weight. There wasn’t a muscle on her.
Ivan took one step toward her, causing a look of fear to come across her face. “Vanessa,” he said. I could hear the hatred dripping from his voice as he said her name. It didn’t help that he looked like a giant compared to her diminutive frame. “You’re not leaving until you give us that key fob back.”
She looked angry but tried to mask it. “I don’t have a key fob. The elevator was open.”
“If you’re going to lie, you need to at least be smart about it. I’ve lived here for months and that elevator has never once been open. Don’t be stupid,” I said, with as much pleasantness as I could muster. Which, admittedly, was not much.
The guys were caught off guard and all of them laughed. She looked completely surprised, but I couldn’t tell if it was from what I said, or the fact that Ivan was laughing. It could go either way, really. Obviously, this was a former girlfriend if she had a key fob. I didn’t even have a key fob for the elevator. Granted, I never needed one as one of the guys was always with me. But still.
My head was starting to ache from smelling the entire bottle of perfume in one application. How does she smell anything other than that?
She looked at me, clear hatred on her face. “You might be living here now, but you won’t be for long. He’ll get rid of you just like he did all the rest. He probably can’t even remember your name.”
“See, that’s where you’re wrong. He knows my name. He screams it often,” I stepped in front of Adrik, crossing my arms over my chest. I raised one eyebrow, daring her to continue this fun little conversation. She looked flustered and looked toward the floor. I glanced at Ivan, who winked at me, a look of pride on his face. I felt Adrik’s hands on my hips, pulling me back against him.
“You think I’m in the same category as you. That was your first of many mistakes, Vanessa. You probably came here with the intent of either trying to get him back or at the very least to stir some shit up and make us fight. But what you don’t know is that I know him better than you could ever dream of knowing him. It was plain as day that he wanted nothing to do with you. I’d be willing to bet you tried to hug him or touch him and he moved away from you before you could, right?” Her eyes went wide. I didn’t give her time to respond. “You see, Vanessa, you probably think that your body is what will snag a man, which is why you put it on full display for the world to see. You think that’s all that men are interested in and will get you everything you want out of life. You might get attention from boys, but you will never keep a man’s attention. Try covering up a little bit. Maybe use only half the bottle of perfume instead of the whole bottle. Try working on yourself so that you have something to offer other than your heavily made-up face, ass, and tits. Oh, and maybe stop trying to steal taken men.” I took one step toward her, to really drive my point home. “You’re going to leave here of your own accord this time, only because these three would pull me off you. But if I ever see your face this close to me again, I’ll make sure your ass and tits will be the only thing you have to offer going forward. Now, and I mean this in the nicest way possible, so please listen to my words, hand over the key fob and get the fuck out of here.” I walked toward her with my hand out, waiting for her to place the key fob in my hand. She looked at me like she wanted to say something. I raised my eyebrow and stared at her, daring her to speak. She looked past me toward Adrik.
“You’re going to let her speak to me like that?” she asked. Still trying to stir some shit, I see. My patience was wearing thin. My head was starting to pound.
I heard him chuckle. “You say that like I would want to stop her.”
She scoffed at him, mumbling something under her breath. My patience had officially run out. “You’re testing my level of give a fuck, Vanessa. Key fob. NOW.” I let my anger slip out. Viktor and Ivan took a step back, causing Vanessa’s eyes to go wide. She reached into her purse, pulling out the key fob. She timidly handed it to me.
“Oh look. It does exist,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Remember, lies need to be believable, sweetheart. Now, and I cannot stress this enough, get the FUCK out of my sight.” I turned to look at Ivan, who was trying hard not to laugh. He moved to escort her out of the building. I handed the key fob to Viktor, who also looked highly amused.
Adrik opened his arms for me. I walked back to him as he wrapped his arms around me. I rested my head on his chest. Once Ivan and Viktor had walked her out of his office, I looked up at him. “My God, how long did it take your sense of smell to come back after breaking up with her? Like seriously. How could you smell anything after five minutes in the same room as her?”
He laughed. “It has gotten much worse since I dated her. That was one reason I never let her live here, though.”
I cocked my head to the side. “She didn’t live here? Why did she have a key fob then?”
He smiled at me. “None of my girlfriends ever lived here. That’s why she had a key fob, so she could come here without someone having to fetch her. My guys never stayed with any of my girlfriends either. Frankly, it never crossed my mind. You’re the only one that they watch over. And the only one to live here. And the house too. No one else knows that place exists.” He gently ran his fingers through my hair, pushing a few curls back from my face. I closed my eyes, enjoying his touch, as well as trying to get some relief from my pounding head.
I sighed. “I love you, Adrik.” I felt his lips gently on mine.
“And I love you, Persephone.”
Viktor and Ivan walked back in soon after, both looking more amused than I’d ever seen them.
“Sephie,” Viktor started, but paused. “You’re just … fucking awesome.”
Ivan said, “You should’ve seen the tantrum she threw on her way out of the building. She was pissed. I have to say I’ve been wanting to be able to throw her out of the building for a long time now. Thank you for that.” He looked at Adrik, smirking.
“Let me guess, you hated her from pretty much the beginning?” I asked, smiling at Ivan.
He nodded. “She showed up a few times when Boss was busy and couldn’t see her. She would throw major tantrums, like that was going to make him want to see her. She never did it in front of him though, but she would scream and yell at me. It never once worked, but she kept trying.”
I looked at Adrik. “I’m beginning to question your choices in women.”
He shrugged his shoulders. “I didn’t even date her for that long. I think she was only a couple of months. She was very … boring.”
I held my hand up. “Don’t expand on that. I don’t need to know. Now, can we get out of here? My head is seriously pounding from having to smell the entire bottle of perfume at once.” Adrik held me closer, his hands in my hair to try and give me some relief.
“Of course, solnishko. I’ll have someone fumigate the office too.”
“And the elevator. We smelled her when we left the fifth floor,” I said. I leaned into him, sniffing his clothes. “And we should burn these clothes. It’s on everything. Burn the key fob too, I don’t even care.”
“You don’t want your own key fob, princess?” Ivan asked.
“Why would I need one? I have six of them already,” I said, winking at him.
The four of us got in the elevator, me trying to breathe as little as possible. I looked at Ivan, grinning at him. “You guys should shower and change and then grab the other three and come upstairs. We’ll order food. Being bitchy makes me hungry.”
“You’re sure? I thought your head was hurting?” Viktor asked.
“I mean, it is. But I want to see the look on Ivan’s face when Misha tells him about what happened while you guys were away. I think not smelling this god-awful perfume anymore will help my headache go away. Seriously. I should’ve punched her just to see if I could restart her olfactory senses.”
I heard Viktor’s deep laugh as I pinched the bridge of my nose, closing my eyes. The doors dinged for their floor. Ivan said, “Give us twenty minutes, princess.”
As the doors closed, Adrik wrapped his arms around me. “How bad is your headache, solnishko?”
“Not excruciating, but it’s not getting better either. I can’t get away from this smell, though. I feel like I can taste it.”
He chuckled, kissing my temple. “We have just enough time to shower,” he whispered in my ear. I opened my eyes, looking up at him, knowing full well what he meant.
“You like it when I get all bitchy,” I said, laughing.
“Surprisingly hot,” was all he said as the doors opened for the penthouse. He grabbed my hand, pulling me quickly toward the door.
The guys were already on the couches when we came out of the bedroom. At least Adrik had closed the bedroom door before ripping my clothes off.
“How’s your headache, princess?” Ivan asked.
“So much better now that I can smell again,” I said, grinning at him.
“You’re getting headaches again, spider monkey?” Andrei asked, a look of genuine concern on his face.
Ivan looked to Andrei. “Vanessa.”
“WHAT?” Andrei and Misha both said at once.
Viktor said, “Do you remember how she said she ‘lost’ the key fob for the elevator? Well, apparently she found it and used it this evening. She was in Boss’s office when we got back from the fifth floor.”
“And…how did that go?” Misha asked, his wide smile across his face.
Ivan laughed. “We knew it was Vanessa as soon as we got on the elevator. She always wore the same perfume. I was more worried about Sephie seeing her and jumping to a wrong conclusion.” He looked to me, somewhat apologetically. “I don’t know why I worried about that. I should’ve known you’d see through whatever she was pulling right away.”
I winked at him, shaking my head. He continued, “When we got to the office, Vanessa was sitting on the edge of his desk. He was all the way at the other end of the desk, like he was trying to get away from her. He stood up and walked allllll the way around the other side, so he wouldn’t be anywhere near her to get to Sephie.”
