Stefan shrugged, pacing the floor on the opposite side of the darkened lab. “We found nothing…questionable. But that does not mean he is able to be trusted. I am certain Nikolai would take great pains to cover his tracks.”
I dug my fingernails into the palms of my hands as I refused to believe Kyle was working for my brother. “I do not believe–“
“Please do not argue,malenka. I know you are smitten–“
“Stop right there,” I said, my nostrils flaring. “I will hear no more of this. I am not smitten. I feel a genuine connection. And I will not have that dismissed as some childish crush.”
“Apologies,moya koroleva, but I worry for you.”
“We must trust someone at some point, or this situation will never advance. Why not Kyle?”
“Does it not concern you that he appeared at just the right moment?” Stefan asked.
I licked my lips as I considered the question. We had met by pure chance. Or had we? Had Kyle been put in my path to make sure my father could never return from his frozen sleep?
I refused to believe that. Was I being stupid? Were his sweet words merely designed to lull me into a false sense of security before he moved in for the kill?
Sliding my eyes closed, I recalled the way I felt when our eyes met, when our lips touched. It couldn’t be fake.
I opened my eyes and focused on Stefan. “I understand your concern, but you have found no connection between Kyle and Nikolai. And while our chance meeting does give some pause, I believe it was merely that…a chance meeting.”
Stefan pressed his lips together, a sigh escaping him. “Nadia is vetting him further.”
My heart skipped a beat as I realized that had been the reason my sister left us behind earlier. What would she find?
“If she deems it appropriate, I will take you myself to speak with him.”
My stomach clenched, and I let my gaze settle down on my father’s face. The waiting would be unbearable. And if Nadia decided we couldn’t trust Kyle, I didn’t know what I would do.
Could I go against her wishes and approach him on my own?
I paced the floor as I waited, my mind vetting through plans depending on what we heard from my sister.
Finally, Stefan’s phone rang. I twisted to face Stefan, my eyes wide and my muscles taut. I held my breath, waiting to hear Nadia’s opinion.
“Da?” Stefan said as he answered his phone.
He nodded. “I understand. Yes.”
He pulled the phone from his ear, ending the call.
“Well?” I demanded.
“Nadia sees no issue with Dr. Carter. She recommends we attempt to bring him on board. I assume you will want to try this yourself instead of relying on Nadia’s more…persuasive methods?”
I bobbed my head, already preparing a statement in my mind as I grabbed my cloak and headed for the door. “Come, Stefan, we will go to Kyle at once.”
He grabbed my arm before I reached the door, glancing sideways at me. “Please be certain about this,malenka. There is no turning back once you give your trust to him.”
I swallowed hard, eyeing him before I bobbed my head. “I know.”
“I will inform Nadia of your intention.” He slid his phone from his pocket, sending a message as we left the cryo chamber behind, heading for the elevator.
With the sun up, he summoned more guards to escort us back to the palace. As I walked, surrounded by the contingent, my stomach knotted tighter. How would Kyle take the news? Would he walk away?
Would he prove true? Or was I setting myself up for a massive heartbreak?
The questions didn’t stop plaguing me until I arrived at the door to his suite. I hesitated, my fist raised in the air for a moment before I knocked.
