Page 131 of Toxic Temptation
The question is, How much blood am I willing to spill with it?
45
VESPER
I’ve been standing on the sidelines for ten minutes, watching Luka stare at Waylen. My brother keeps encouraging him to “give it a try” and “don’t be afraid,” but Luka hasn’t moved an inch closer to the practice mat.
As the hour comes to a close, I’m hoping Waylen will just accept the fact that maybe mixed martial arts is not Luka’s thing.
“Don’t you think that’s enough for one evening?” I finally ask.
Waylen shoots me a frustrated look. “Self-defense is important, V. He needs to learn this stuff. Especially considering the family he belongs to.”
Luka glances at me with those big gray eyes, looking helpless, and my heart does that protective thing it always does around him.
“Luka, come here for a second.”
He practically sprints over, clearly relieved to escape Waylen’s drill sergeant routine.
“Listen,” I whisper, “do you want this lesson to end?”
He nods so fast I’m worried he’ll give himself whiplash.
“That’s what I thought. Here’s what we’re gonna do. Go for his solar plexus. Right here.” I point to the spot between his chest and stomach. “One good hit and he’ll be too winded to continue.”
“But what if I hurt him?”
“He’s a big boy. He’ll survive. And more importantly, we can go get ice cream.”
That seals the deal. Luka marches back to Waylen with newfound determination.
“Okay, kiddo,” Waylen says with a clap of his hands, “let’s see what you’ve got. I need one good attempt or else—Oof!”
Luka’s fist connects perfectly, right where I told him to aim. Waylen staggers backward, doubled over and gasping.
“Holy cow!” Luka stares at his own hand in amazement.
I can’t help myself—I start applauding. Standing ovation for my little warrior. “You did it! You actually did it!”
Waylen straightens up, still catching his breath but grinning. “That was good, Luka. Really good. Where’d you learn that?”
Luka beams at me. “Vesper taught me! She knows all kinds of secrets about the human body.”
“I’m a doctor,” I explain. “It comes with the territory.”
“Can you teach me more secrets?” Luka’s practically bouncing with excitement.
Something about his eagerness reminds me of myself at his age, pestering my father with endless questions about medicine and anatomy. The memory comes on strong.
“Actually,” I say, pulling out my phone, “I do have an idea. But I need to make a call first.”
I walk to the far corner of the gym and dial Kovan. My pulse quickens when he answers on the first ring.
“Vesper? Everything okay?”
The genuine concern in his voice is a balm for my anxiety. “Everything’s fine. I was just calling because I want to take Luka to the science museum. The human body exhibit.”
“Today?”
