Chapter 317
Chapter Three Hundred Seventeen
Sephle
I looked at Misha and Andrei when everyone else left to go “talk” to Armando. “We are not allowed to
do anything weird that will cause them toe running back upstairs this time.”
While they bothughed at me, Misha asked, “do you not like it when Bosses out of nowhere to
save you?”
“No, I do. I very much do. But I feel bad for always interrupting his schedule,” I said. We were in the
kitchen, as Andrei had talked me into more broth. It was actually working. I managed to eat most of the
first bowl he gave me when they first got back from the meeting with the journalist and I only slept for a
short period that afternoon.
“You know you’re more important than his schedule, spider monkey. He’s told us all exactly that.
Multiple times,” Andrei said, setting down another small bowl of broth in front of me.
“I know, but it still doesn’t mean I should constantly interrupt him. This needs salt,” I said, taking a small
sip.
Misha’s handsome smile stretched across his face. “That means your appetite is waking up, gazelle.”
He grabbed the salt and handed it to me.
“I thought it meant this was nd,” I said, grinning at him.
“What did Boss say about Andrei’s newly discovered ability?” Misha asked, curiously.
“He mostly wanted to know how long I’ve been able to do it. He seemed more amused that I outed
Sephie than anything.” Andrei said, still giving me an apologetic look.
Iughed softly. “Don’t apologize, Andrei. It makes him angry that I try to keep it from him when I don’t
feel well. He’s still mad at me for keeping it hidden after Misha and I were attacked. Same for the ball. I
clearly need help in that area.”
“Ivan lectured him on being mad at you for that, you know,” Misha said.
“He did?”
“Yeah, it was after you got home from the hospital. When he could feel your pain. He was happy that
you wouldn’t be able to hide it from him anymore. We could hear it in his voice when he made a
comment about you always trying to hide it. Ivan told him it wasn’t your fault,” Misha said.
“It’s not? Pretty sure I’m the one that’s constantly trying to hide it. I know I’m doing it. I just don’t know
how to stop,” I said, pushing the now empty bowl away from me.
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Andrei picked up the bowl to wash it. He said, “you really don’t know, spider monkey?” I shook my head
no.
“No, it’s just something I feel like I have to do. No idea why. And no idea how to stop it.”
“It’s a trauma response, gazelle. You’ve learned that you’re better off not asking for help when you
need it because the few times you did got you hurt worse. You might not be aware you’re doing it, but
there’s some part of you that’s still trying to protect you, especially when you’re hurt. It’s why you get
extra argumentative with us when we try to do stuff for you and why you try to hide it from Boss when
you’re hurt. You’re still scared you’re going to get hurt worse,” Misha said.
I thought for a moment, chewing on my bottom lip. “Ivan really said all that?” I asked. They both nodded
their heads. I took in a slow, almost deep breath. “He’s been hanging around Stephen. Obviously,” I
said, grinning at them.
“He’s right though,” Andrei said, drying his hands on the kitchen towel. He threw the towel back on the
counter and walked around the ind to stand next to me. Flis giant arm slid around my shoulders. “It
might still take you a while to fully believe it, but you’re safe with us. No matter what. You’ll always be
safe with us,” he said. I leaned my head onto his shoulder, taking another almost deep breath. “I know
that. I really do. And I love you all for it. I don’t know why I can’t stop trying to pretend I’m okay when
I’m clearly not,” I said.
“You don’t have to figure it out, gazelle. I kinda like when you’re extra spicy and cranky,” Misha said.
Andrei helped me up so we could move to the couches. Heughed at Misha, but said quietly, “I think
we all do. You’re extra hrious when you’re cranky.”
Adrik was clearly surprised when he walked back into the penthouse and I was still awake,ughing
with Misha and Andrei about something ri diculous that we’de up with. He walked to me, kneeling
down in front of me, his face immediately softening when he looked at me. “You’re still awake,” he said,
almost like he couldn’t believe it.
“I’m pretty sure Andrei spiked the broth with caffeine,” I said, smiling at him.
He looked at Andrei. “You got her to eat more?” Andrei nodded his head: “She ate all of it this time,”
Andrei said.
“Downside, they had to help me up like 12 times so I could pee, but otherwise, I think it’s helping.” I
said,ughing quietly. “And just in time, too. I might murder him if the doctor tells me I have to go back
to the hospital tomorrow.”
“Nobody wants that, princess,” Ivan said.
Andrei looked at his watch. “It’s been a couple of hours since she ate thest bowl and it’s time for her
antibiotic. Think you could manage some more, spider monkey?”
“As long as I can put salt in it. It tastes so much better that way,” I said. Andrei stood up to go to the
kitchen while Adrik helped me up from the couch. “How did it go with Armando? Was he happy to see
you?” I asked, grinning at Adrik.
Before he answered, he pulled me to him and pressed his lips to mine. “I’m so happy you’re still awake,
solnishko,” he said quietly so only I could
hear.
“I think he was happy that he could finally see out of both of his eyes again, Ivan said. “I might’ve
ensured that happiness was short-lived.” He had a devious grin on his face as he looked at me.
“Squish. Everyone knows you don’t punch like a weak girl. You didn’t have to prove it,” I said,ughing
at him.
“Was he any kind of helpful about Ricardo?” Misha asked.
“Only after Stephen made him want to cry,” Viktor said, also with a devious grin on his face. I looked at
Stephen, my mo uth open in shock. He just shrugged his shoulders. “He had iting. It’s not my fault
he hasn’t dealt with his childhood.”
I caught Adrik’s eye as he helped me sit at the kitchen ind yet again. I could see the “I told you”
running through his mind.
“What did you find out?” Andrei asked, sliding another bowl of broth in front of me, along with my
antibiotic, and a ss of water.
“It seems that Ricardo thinks of himself as an equal to Boss. It looks like he’s the real reason for the
coup, not Sal. Ricardo has never been able to gain as much power and favor as Boss has in the city
and it drives him crazy. He’s been trying to simply outdo Boss in business for years, but has never
been able toe close. That’s when he started trying to get politicians and police in his pocket,” Ivan
said.
“Outdo you how?” I asked, sipping the warm broth. I had to admit, I was starting to really like it. It didn’t
make me nauous and my stomach was finally happy after so many days of not eating.
“Apparently, he’s been inpetition with me for years. I had no idea. Armando said that Ricardo took
it personally every time he would try to make a move in a business deal and either I was there first or I
had an even bigger project in the works. It’s not my fault he’s shi t at business,” Adrik said, shrugging
his shoulders. He had a sly smirk on his face, which told me he was clearly enjoying this new piece of
information.
“Your greatness will always irritate those who aren’t willing to work as hard as you do,” I said. “Did
Armando know how Ricardo got the other bosses to go against you?”
“No, but we didn’t ask that question either. I think that question is best put to Dario,” Stephen said.
“Maybe I’ll be better enough that you can talk to him tomorrow,” I said, pushing the empty bowl away
from me. Misha grabbed it to wash it this time.
“One day at a time, love. We’ll see how you are after you see the doctor tomorrow,” Adrik said, kissing
my temple.