Page 103 of Toxic Temptation
My eyes narrow. “What possible reason could he have? I’m charming as fuck.”
Her mouth twitches like she’s fighting a smile. “Maybe he doesn’t likeyourpants, wiseass.” She pushes against my chest.“In any case, he’s smart. And observant. He’ll figure it out eventually, whether you like it or not.”
“Not if we sell it.” I lean in until my lips brush her ear. “You need to look more convincing.”
She shoves harder, slipping out from under my arm. “Sorry, I’m not that good an actress.”
“Then let’s stick to the truth. Pucker your lips and show me ‘wanton desire.’”
“You wish.”
“Oh, but you’re doing such a great job already,” I croon, grinning as I touch my forehead to hers. “I’m just observing the fruits of your labor.”
Heat flashes in her eyes, an indecipherable mix of lust and irritation. “Maybe observe Luka instead. He’s the reason we’re doing this, remember?”
“He’s the reasonI’mdoing this,” I retort. “Youhave entirely different motivations.”
She opens her mouth to argue, but the crash of the front door cuts her off. Even Waylen and Luka turn toward the sound from outside.
“What was that?” Vesper asks.
The telltale scent of Chanel No. 5 hits me before I see her. I want to warn Vesper—but by then, it’s too late.
Yana is here.
34
KOVAN
Yana stands on my Persian rug like an avenging angel from hell. Her gaze bounces back and forth between Vesper and me with pure venom, teeth bared like the rabid bitch she is.
“So this is the whore?”
“Some people start with hello,” I say calmly. “Vesper, meet Yana. Luka’s mother.”
“Oh, you remember that, do you?” Yana’s vulture eyes are thin, furious slits. “How generous of you.”
“I remember everything, Yana. All the times you left him at school, with the nanny, in attics and locked cars and on park benches. All the times you or your husband sent him to the hospital. I remember everything. Every. Last. Thing.”
“You think you’re so perfect? With your guns and shady business deals and revolving door of women?” She turns to Vesper and her lip curls. “I hope you don’t think you’re special, sweetheart. All you are to him is another warm body with spread legs. Thesecond he’s bored, you’ll be thrown out like the white trash garbage you are.”
Vesper stares with her mouth open, color draining from her face.
I step between them. “What are you doing here, Yana?”
“Seeing my son. I had visitation today. Something else you conveniently forgot.”
“He didn’t forget!” Luka’s small voice cuts through her rage as he and Waylen step in through the French doors. “Uncle Kovan brought me to see you this morning, Mama.”
Yana’s eyes land on Luka, and he immediately shrinks, cowering behind Waylen, who’s glaring at her with surprising intensity.
“Who the hell is thismudak?” she cries out.
He holds out a hand. “Waylen Fairfax. Luka’s tutor.”
Yana’s sneer only deepens as she stares at his hand like it’s fungal. “He doesn’t need a tutor.”
“Then you haven’t been paying attention,” I chime in. “He struggles in school. He needs individual help.”
