Page 19 (1/2)

"Perhaps we could discuss it inside?" her uncle suggested

"Yes, of course, colanced at hi rooestured at the sofa "Please, sit down"

"Thank you"

She sat beside hi "Your father and I lookhere?"

"I was traveling when I heard that one of the Korzhas had been killed in Lake Tahoe I was naturally curious, since we are related" He shrugged "A little snooping here, a few questions there, and I overheard your name I came here to see if it was indeed you"

"Who was that ain

"I do not know But he will not bother you any, but it was hard to feel syun at her "What do you think he wanted?"

"You do not know?"

She shook her head "Knohat?"

Before he could explain, the doorbell rang again Startled, she glanced at Stefan

"I will get it," he said

Kaitlyn nodded She told herself there was nothing to worry about But she clenched her hands in her lap when Stefan opened the door

A

And then she heard her father’s voice, thick with e, Kaitlyn stood as her father threw his ar that would likely have crushed a mortal’s ribs "Stefan! Where have you been? What are you doing here?"

"Trying to breathe," Stefan answered with a grin

Drake released hilad to see you"

Stefan nodded "And I you, brother"

Drake’s gaze ran over Stefan "You look well Liliana has missed you You should have kept in touch with her" The unspoken words, and within the air between the?"

"I needed ti"

"I missed you, too," Stefan said

"I will have your promise," Drake insisted

"You have it"

Kaitlyn saw tears in her uncle’s eyes, felt the sting of tears in her own eyes as the two ain

When they parted, Stefan cleared his throat "Since you are here, I assuer"

"Yes, it is the reason I a room

"Just in tiunman who had been there earlier

"You don’t have to talk aboutup behind the two men "What’s this all about, anyway?"

"I have coo hoer yours I am certain Nadiya is behind these attacks on you," Drake said "I auess is she is planning to use you to get to"You didn’t have anything to do with Daryn’s death"

"I believe she e herself on me for Florin’s death, and also for Daryn’s She knows the best way to hurt irl I can take care of myself"

Stefan lifted one brow, as if to relared at him "I could have handled him by myself"

"This is not a matter open to discussion," Drake said "My decision has been ht"