My hands clenched tightly, a surge of apprehension seizing me like an iron grip. Gazing into Alexei’s eyes, I suddenly became aware of the countless moments he had spent clandestinely observing me, hidden away in the shadows. A chilling sensation raced down my back, igniting an electrifying shiver. For how long had this been going on? Months? Years? My graduation day couldn’t be the first time he had me tailed. I swallowed hard the bile rising in my throat.

Alexei tilted his head, his eyes lowering to my fisted palms and then to my face. “Did I interrupt something?” His thick Russian dialect had my words freeze in my chest...