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“Is your working relationship with Mr. King going well, Alma?”

He doesn’t know anything.

“I know Mr. King has a strong personality, that he can be tough…”

“I’ve got nothing to complain about.”

“Good. I noticed that you two are… close. I’ve rarely seen him this close to an employee.”

Is he ever going to stop snooping?

“Kate and I spend a lot of time with him, so it’s only natural that we’ve grown close,” I deflect. “I’m going to swim a few laps. It’ll be dark soon, so I’d better hurry.”

It’s a weak excuse, but it gives me an opportunity to escape this conversation.

“I’d love to join you, but I need to finish reading this.”

I’d better watch out for Maximilian Finn. He’s way too inquisitive.

***

Night has fallen, and the storm has passed.

By the time I return to my room, Vadim is waiting for me, leaning against the door in near darkness.

“Vadim?”

“Alma.”

“You came?”

“You called.”

His last words are barely a whisper, but they send a jolt through me. I stare at him, unsettled by his answer. A slight smile spreads across his lips as he studies me carefully, then murmurs, “You did call me earlier, didn’t you?”

“And you left anyway…”

I look away from him, then take a step to the side as he approaches me.

“I’m here now, Alma.”

Our eyes meet again. I hold his gaze without flinching, without smiling, without letting him win.

“You’re mad, Lancaster.”

“I’m not anything in particular.” I shrug and place my hand on the doorknob.

“So, can I come in?”

“It’s your home, isn’t it?”

“Alma, I won’t come in unless you invite me.”

There it is again, the Vadim-style trap. He turns your world upside down, leaves your heart in pieces, disappears whenever he feels like it, but when he comes back, it’s still up to you to make the first move.

“No.”

“No?” he repeats, amused.