“Kristoff?” I whispered, as I pushed open the door that I’d seen him open from across the lobby. His expensive suit and dark hair were instantly recognizable in the crowd of people in the hospital.
From the back, I could have mistaken him for Alexei, but my husband was taller and wider through the shoulders. Alexei carried himself differently as well, with an easy-going confidence that Kristoff lacked.
Sparing one last glance behind me, to make sure that my driver hadn’t followed me, I went after the retreating man.
“Don’t do it, ”a familiar voice snapped in my brain, and I recognized it as the older Nikolai. “Do not go out there, Amy. Do not leave the public with that man.”
I quietened the voice in my head. I knew Nikolai would be worried about this, but what other choice did I have? I couldn’t force Kristoff to talk to me in the hospital, where anyone could see us. Our conversion had to be private.
“You promised, docha.”
I squashed his voice down and pushed myself out after the Russian.
“Kristoff?” I asked again, louder this time, when I couldn’t see him. Silence met my ears. “Hello?”
Doubts ate at me. Maybe I’d followed the wrong person? But no, I knew the moment I had seen him that it had been Kristoff. He just wasn’t out here now?
Why lead me out here, if he wasn’t going to wait for me?
“Hello, Amy,” a smooth accented voice said from behind me, whirling around, my hand clutched at my throat. I watched as he stepped out from behind me. “You came alone.”
Frowning, I let my eyes sweep over him. He looked older than the first time I’d met him. More worn around the eyes.
“Yes,” I whispered. Why was I suddenly so uneasy? I threw a glance behind me again. The small space was empty. Nothing but bins. “Yes, I came alone.” Finally, I met his eyes, and I didn’t like the look on his face at all.
They had turned cold and calculating. I took a step back without meaning to.
“That’s good, I guess.” A smile spread across his face. “I don’t think either of us wants surprises, do we?”
I stared at him. The cold look wasn’t in his eyes anymore. His smile was friendly. I was just paranoid. I let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you for agreeing to meet me, Kristoff." Stepping forward, I offered him my hand because that’s what people did in this situation, right? They shook hands?
“Well, you made it sound like my life depended on it, Amy.” His much bigger hand closed around mine and squeezed.
“It does.”
“Is that so?” cocking his head to the side he studied me, his fingers gripped my hand. “Then you best tell me what you have haven’t you?”
Back and forth over the back of my hand, his thumb swept. I tried to pull my hand back, and he held on.
My heart sped up a fraction.
“I don’t have to tell you, Kristoff.”
Why was he touching me like that? Why wouldn’t he let go of my hand? Alexei’s grandfather’s voice rose up to a yell in my head.Screaming at me to run, to fight. To just get the hell out of this situation now.
“I can show you,” I finished, and I couldn’t help it. My voice wobbled.
“Then you best show me.” With one hard tug on my hand, he had trapped me in his, and I went crashing into his chest, the wind momentarily knocked out of me.
“Kristoff, what is the meaning of—” My words died on my lips as he grabbed my chin and forced my head up to meet his.
“I’ve always thought you were beautiful.”
My eyes widened in shock.
“Alexei never saw it, but I did,from that first night. I knew you were going to need my help to navigate this world of ours. And you do, don’t you? You need me to make Alexei believe you?”
Shame filled me. He was right. I did, but I wasn’t about to admit that.
