“They had Russian accents,” I say.
“That’s unusual.”
“It’s Chicago. People from all over the world live here.”
His expression stays neutral. For a moment, I feel more like a suspect he’s interrogating than his sister.
Then he lets out a sigh. “Okay, okay. We’ll find who did this. I’m just glad you’re safe.”
Suddenly, the energy in the room shifts. Conversations falter. A couple of officers glance toward the hallway.
I hear it. Heavy footfalls. Measured. Unhurried. And a voice I’d recognize anywhere.
“Amalie.” He speaks my name, calm and resonant. It cuts through the air of the room like a knife.
Every head turns. The crowd in the hallway leading to the main lobby parts without a word. Officers step aside as if he’s in charge of the place. They all know who he is. Roman Barinov strides into the precinct surrounded by his men, a squad of rough-looking Russians in dark coats.
Kyle stiffens beside me. “What the hell?” he mutters.
Roman’s gaze finds me immediately. It softens, just a bit, relief flickering for an instant before switching back to his usual expression of tight control. He closes the distance between us in long strides.
“Are you hurt?”
“I’m okay.”
Kyle stands and straightens, stepping into the space between us without even thinking, my older brother instinctively protecting me from danger, like he’s always done.
“Roman Barinov,” Kyle says.
Roman nods slightly. “And you must be Kyle.” There’s a strangeness to the way he says it.
Kyle turns from Roman, fixes his attention on me. “Why is he here?” he asks. “And how does he know you?”
Roman doesn’t wait for me to answer. “She was attacked,” he says. “I was informed. I came.”
Kyle puts his hands on his hips. “Mr. Barinov, this is an active police matter.”
“Of course,” he says. “I’m merely checking on a member of my staff.”
I can feel the room holding its breath. Kyle flicks his gaze from Roman to me, pieces clicking together in his mind. I can see him beginning to understand.
But he doesn’t accuse. Instead, he asks, “What’s going on?”
I open my mouth, but I have no idea what to say.
CHAPTER 31
ROMAN
“I’m taking her with me.”
Amalie appears to be on the verge of falling apart. She’s seated in a chair with her hands wrapped around a paper cup of water. She looks tired, out of her element. This setting won’t do at all. I want her home, where I can look after her.
I take a step toward her. As soon as I do, the entire room shifts. The cops around us stiffen, and her brother moves just a bit more between his sister and me.
“Just stay where you are, Barinov.”
The family resemblance between Kyle and Amalie is even more striking up close. He’s tall and athletic, with the exact same gray-blue eyes as Amalie. His are a bit harder; surely he’s seen things she hasn’t, things he wants to protect her from.
