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“Exactly what are you doing here, Kristoff,” Noel growls thinly.
Kristoff Zima.
Suddenly, it clicks, making my pulse jump. He’s one of the men in the photo I found on Noel’s wall—the “Kings and Villains,” Oliver called them when I went to his office that time. And Kristoff is… mob? No, Russian Bratva.
I swallow thickly.
“What, I can’t stop by to say hello to an old friend?”
Noel sighs, putting the phone he was doing some work on down and standing, squaring his shoulders.
“You can if youcallfirst.”
Kristoff sighs, turning his gaze from Noel to me, those ice-blue eyes flashing.
“Tell me, is he always this hospitable these days?”
“I think you caught him in a friendly mood.”
The man with the Eastern European accent grins widely at me.
“It’s very good to see you again, Ella.”
When my brows knit, he clears his throat.
“I attended your father’s funeral,” he says somberly. “Though, I’m afraid under extenuating circumstances that didn’t allow me to be forthright with my identity at the time.”
“Yes, being wanted by MI5 tends to have a negative effect on your social life,” Noel mutters, stepping next to me and placing his hand on my lower back.
Good lord, I canfeelthe possessive energy humming off of him.
“Well, all cleared up now.”
Kristoff smiles as he steps toward me. Noel’s hand hardens at my back, but just the same, I reach out to shake the other man’s hand when it’s offered. He shakes it warmly.
“Your father was a dear friend, Ella.”
My eyes dart to Noel at Kristoff’s use of “father.” He doesn’t turn to me, but I feel his finger tap against my back
“We both were.” Kristoff grins. “Did you know that Noel and I were actually both there at the hospital the day you were born?”
My brows furrow.
“Wait, really?”
I whip my gaze to Noel again. This time, he glances back, the corners of his lips curling up as he nods.
“What precisely brings you here, Kristoff?”
The man shrugs, raking his fingers over his jaw as he turns to sit in one of the patio chairs.
“I was on my way to Paris.”
“For business?”
“No, because it’sParis, Noel. You do remember having fun, yes? Like when we used to go all the time?”
He sighs, turning to me and gesturing with a thumb at Noel.
