Page 110 of Toxic Temptation
“This conversation is over.” I wave Waylen over. “Let’s see what you’re working with.”
Waylen struts over with way too much confidence, his superior attitude written all over his face.
Osip starts to climb into the ring, but I stop him. “No. I’ll handle this.”
I catch the look Pavel and Osip exchange behind my back. It only makes me more determined to knock this pretty boy on his ass.
“When you’re with my nephew, you need to be alert,” I tell Waylen as we step into the ring. “Always. You’ve seen his mother. The woman is completely unhinged. Her husband’s worse. There’s no telling what they might do. Luka needs protection at all times, no matter who he’s with.”
“What about my sister?”
My hands freeze on my gloves. “What about her?”
“You said it yourself. Your sister-in-law and her husband are dangerous. You saw how she attacked Vesper the other day. She already hates her. So who’s protecting my sister?”
“Your sister isn’t in danger.”
“I disagree.” His voice is steady, unwavering. Like he’s been practicing this speech. “She’s been in danger every single second since she met you.”
We haven’t even started boxing yet but somehow, Waylen has managed to get in the first strike.
Pavel and Osip lean against the ropes, watching like they’re trying to decide who to bet on. If I know them at all, that’s exactly what they’re doing.
“Is this really where you want to have this conversation?” I drawl.
He shrugs. “No time like the present. Luka’s not here. Vesper’s not here. And, surprise—I’m not actually scared of you, Kovan.”
“You should be.”
He shakes his head. “I’ve known guys like you my whole life. It’s all about power and control. It’s about who you can manipulate and how. Well, my sister isn’t some pawn you can use and throw away when you’re done. Neither am I.”
I study his face, trying to figure out exactly how much he knows. “What are you getting at, Waylen?”
“The truth.”
“The truth is your sister is a grown woman who makes her own choices. And she chose me.”
“Then she chose wrong,” he spits. “You’re not good for her, Kovan. You’re going to ruin her.”
“You underestimate your sister.”
“No, I know her. She’s strong, but she has a breaking point. Hurt her enough and she’ll shut down completely. She’ll disappear into herself and you’ll never reach her again.”
He starts circling me slowly, his eyes never leaving my face. It’s funny that I ever thought he looked like a Ken doll. He has true grit in his eyes, a determined clench in his jaw.
He looksBratva.
“We’ve always been close. We tell each other everything. Until now. Until you. Now, she keeps her feelings locked away.”
“Maybe she doesn’t trust you.”
“Oh, she trusts me,” he says with absolute certainty. “She’s just scared of what I’ll tell her. She knows I don’t approve of you or this relationship. Usually, that would be enough to make her leave. But for some reason, she’s determined to stick around. Even though she’s hurting.”
I’m tired of his passive-aggressive bullshit. Tired of dancing around what he really wants to know. “Fine. You want the truth? Ask me what you really want to ask me.”
Waylen doesn’t even blink. His breathing stays steady, but his hands curl into fists. “You and Vesper. Is it real?”
I don’t hesitate. “No. It’s not.”
