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Lost in o downstairs to see if Alex has couard stands next to the front door

“Good evening,” I say

He acknowledges me with a nod

“Do you know if Alex—”

The door opens before I can finishsnowflakes from the shoulders of his coat

He stops when he notices me

“Igor,” I say, part in greeting and part in relief

I look over his shoulder, trying to see if Alex is with hi the door, presu in

“Where’s Alex?” I ask

“He’ll be in shortly,” he says,around me

I take a step to the side, blocking his way “Where is he?”

A beat lapses “Getting an update from the men at the barracks”

Testing my boundaries, I ask, “May I please use your phone?”

His large frah he blows out “You know I can’t do that”

“That’s what I thought”

At least he has the decency to look guilty “You can’t call ho his eyes, he walks away

“Miss Morrell?” a female voice says

I spin on my heel

Lena stands at the foot of the stairs “Dinner is served in the dining room Mr Volkov will join you as soon as he can He said you shouldn’t wait” She drags her gaze overon my socked feet “Normally, Mr Volkov dresses for dinner”

“Do you knohere he’s been?”