Chapter 29
Nikolai
It Wasn’t Intentional
The gentle tap of rain against the windowpane provided a soothing backdrop to my thoughts. Knowing how Marcel’s process worked with first sessions, I was getting anxious. He was either avoiding us or it was going over.
Kinsley hadn’t come in, and I was torn on whether I should check on her or let her come to me. A familiar buzz from my phone broke the silence. I glanced at the screen, noting Marcel’s name and a text.
MARCEL:
Get Alek and Ivan on the line. Need to talk about Kinsley’s first session. Call me back.
My mind scrambled as I tried to read between the lines of his message. It sounded tense, and my current unease increased. I dialed Alek.
“You and Ivan together?”
“Yes, give me five and we’ll head to the study.”
Five minutes on the dot, they called back. I dialed Marcel and added him to the call.
“How’d it go?” Ivan asked immediately, concern clear in his voice. I smiled, thinking about how worried he sounded. It seemed the baby had gotten attached too.
“In the grand scheme of things, better than I thought it would, and then it quickly went balls up,” Marcel stated, his voice hinting at a deeper concern. Something was off.
“What the hell happened? What did she tell you?” Alek asked tensely.
“You know better than that. I told you upfront if she agreed to talk to me, what she shares stays between us. I need you all to give her space. She did open up. It’sa good thing, but it’ll be up to the three of you to ensure she isn’t pushed for the next few days.”
The silence on the other end only further confirmed that Marcel was still trying to process everything.
With a heavy sigh, he finally said, “Nothing she shared isn’t anything you don’t already know. That’s all I’m willing to say.”
“Then why can’t you tell us?” Alek asked, sounding bewildered. He knew better, but his attachment to Kinsley wasn’t letting him see clearly.
“Alek, it’s a delicate balance, and your feelings for this woman aren’t making this any easier. I’m in a tough spot here. If I want her to open up, which is the goal, then I have to maintain a level of confidentiality. You knew this going in.”
He grumbled under his breath, and Marcel paused, waiting for him to quiet down again before he spoke.
“I can share this much. Kinsley knows Romanov is her biological grandfather. I got the feeling she was clueless as to who he is, though. Apparently, he looks like an older version of her father, the same with Konstantin. She understands it changes things for her, but I got the feeling she meant it in a way that she has a family. I don’t believe she thought she did.”
“Okay,” Alek said, then added, “Fuck.”
“Fuck indeed. We’re going to need to discuss how best to proceed with this. Not today, of course. She’s not ready to face it. But it needs to be something that we are contemplating. The reality is she may want to return to them if given the chance,” Marcel said.
“Understood.” I took control of the conversation, as Alek seemed lost in thought.
“Who is she sleeping with tonight, if I can ask? I’m still not completely comfortable with this approach, but she did reveal she feels safe when she’s with each of you,” Marcel stated.
“Me,” I answered. I couldn’t help but grin. Several images flashed in my head, ones of stripping her down again and feeling her skin on mine.
“Gentlemen, once again, I’m going to seriously stress that it’s not wise to be actively engaging in any sexual acts with her.”
“I haven’t had sex with her. Alek, have you?” I said, trying to lighten the mood.
“Nope, not yet. I followed the rules. Told her she had to speak with Marcel first. What about you, Ivan, you getting any action?” Alek asked.
“That’d be a no from me as well,” Ivan said sheepishly.
