Chapter 18

The phone rang, cutting through the tension in the room like a knife. All three of them froze. Theodore, Niko, and Amelia all turned to look at the phone. It was late, really late, so it had to be about Alexei.

Theodore reached for the phone on his desk, his voice carefully composed as he answered. "Yes?"

Amelia watched her father-in-law's expression shift, the tight lines around his mouth relaxing slightly as he listened to whoever was on the other end. Her heart began to race. Something had happened.

"When?" Theodore asked, his voice controlled but with an undercurrent of urgency. "And they're both alive? You're certain?"

Niko moved closer to his father, desperation etched across his features. Amelia stood beside him, slipping her hand into his without thinking. He gripped it tightly, his palm damp with sweat.

"Excellent work, Mitchell," Theodore said. "We'll await your updates." He hung up the phone and looked at them both, his regal composure slightly crac