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“Igor,” I say when he steps through the fraotten into you?”

He pauses on the threshold “Look, we’re all tense about what’s going on It’s rubbing off on everyone, that’s all As I said, Alex wouldn’t have taken the risk if he hadn’t been damn sure he could protect you It just took a hell of a lot of resources and energy that could’ve been better spent”

“Right”

“Ah, hell” He throws his hands in the air “That’s not what I meant”

“It’s okay,” I say, backtracking toward the hallway “I get it”

“Kate” He tips his face toward the sky When he looks back at me, his expression is composed “I didn’t mean you’re not worth the effort I onlythe fucker ants Alex dead”

“I couldn’t agree with youat the re

“Just forget I said it You’re caught in the middle of a war, and we don’t even knohat it’s about It’s not your probleht We’ll handle it”

“You’re wrong,” I say, a little too forcefully “I’ht too, whether I like it or not”

“Leave the dirty work to us We’ll catch the bastard” Turning on his heel, he walks away

The guard shuts the door behind hi a silent but strong statement

Conteo to the library Adrateful for Alex’s consideration Yet I can’t help but agree with Igor We should keep a low profile until we’re safe again

A tray with tea and delicate cakes is on the table in front of the fireplace So welcome heat I pour a cup of tea and a his laptop

“Joanne is available now,” he says “Would you like to chat with her?”

I nearly drop the cup in erness “I’d love to”

He puts the laptop on the table and activates the connection A second later, o on the wall in the background, she’s in one of therooms at her office It’s almost six o’clock here, which means she must be on her eleven o’clock coffee break Her red curls forlow on her cheeks and a sparkle in her eyes when she leans closer to the screen

“Hey,” she says “There you are, elopers”

“Jo” I take a seat on the sofa With everything that’s happened, it feels as if I haven’t seen her in weeks instead of days “How are you?”

Alex sits down next to me

“Same old on my side The question is how are you?” She looks from me to Alex “How’s Russia? Thanks for the selfie, by the way The scenery is spectacular” Winking, she adds, “You could’ve told me about your plans”