“No, it means that I still have no evidence, but I’m willing to accept that there might be something out there that I don’t understand yet.” He added quietly, “And I do believe in everything you are, Alisa. I’ve never believed in anyone more than I do in you. Which means I might be almost there.”

She suddenly couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t look away from him. She was aware of everything about him. His eyes, his lips, that intensity that was always with him. “It’s about time.” She cleared her throat. “You’ve been a little slow, Korgan.”

“I’ll catch up.” His gaze never left her as he reached over and covered her hand with his own. “And when you decide you can forgive me for the mistake that got you shot and Sasha in this mess, I’ll make a good friend to you, Alisa.” He smiled. “I’ve got excellent references.”

“Have you? I don’t. I’ve been too busy working to make many real friends.” She could feel the warmth of his hand and his thumb moving back and forth on her wrist. She should probably move her hand, but she remained still. It wasn’t like the touch on her shoulder last night that had been so comforting. This one was gossamer light and sensual and yet almost erotically electric. It confused her, and so did all this talk about being friends. But that didn’t matter. Both times he had been kind and caring and honest as few people had been in her life. It wouldn’t hurt to accept anything he offered as long as she was careful not to let it mean anything to her. She added quickly, “But I’ve got Margaret and Sasha and that’s enough. And you don’t have to say you’ll be a friend to me because you feel guilty you weren’t perfect about that drone. I told you that you almost got everything else right.”

“How generous of you.” He sighed and shook his head. “You’re impossible.” He gave her hand a squeeze before he released it. “I do feel guilty but that’s not the reason I want to be a friend to you. I’d much rather work on that down the road. But I’m beginning to realize that there are only two ways I can go. I’m trying to choose the one that protects you.”

“That’s bullshit,” she said bluntly. “I don’t need anyone to protect me for any reason. This entire conversation is ridiculous. I don’t know how we got on the subject when I was only trying to figure out a way to block whatever Masenak and Reardon might try to do with Chaos.”