Page 132 of Toxic Temptation
“Right now, actually.”
“Doesn’t he have lessons with Waylen?”
“That’s why I’m calling. I don’t want to overstep.”
The silence goes on for so long that I start to wonder if he hung up. “Fine,” he finally says. “But Pavel goes with you.”
“I was going to take Waylen?—”
“It’s Pavel or you don’t go at all.”
I frown. “What’s your problem?”
“Your slashed tires weren’t random, Vesper. Someone’s targeting you, and I’m not taking chances with Luka involved. You want to go to the museum? You take Pavel. End of discussion.”
I bite back my first three responses, all of which involve creative suggestions about where he can shove his overprotective attitude. “Fine. Anything else, your majesty?”
“I want updates every hour.”
“Seriously?”
“You want to take him or not?”
“Dictator.”
He chuckles, and the sound does things to my insides that I refuse to acknowledge. “Have fun.”
I hang up and turn back to Luka, forcing a smile. “Good news. We’re going to the science museum.”
Luka actually jumps in the air and pumps his fist.
I look at Pavel and Waylen by the water cooler. “You’re on bodyguard duty, boys. Let’s move.”
“Pretty cool, right?” I ask as we stand in front of the human skeleton on display in front of us.
Luka stares at the ribcage, his small hand tight in mine. “Cool?” He sounds uncertain.
“You don’t think so?”
He shrugs. “I guess. But I still like Goliath better.”
Of course. How could a human skeleton compete with an eighty-seven-foot blue whale?
I kneel down to his level. “I’ll definitely give you that; Goliath is pretty amazing. But humans are extraordinary, too.” I point to the skeleton. “Did you know our bones are stronger than steel?”
His eyes widen. “Really?”
“Cross my heart. A thigh bone can support over two thousand pounds.”
“Whoa.”
“And human teeth are as strong as a shark’s.”
“No way!”
“Also—” I poke his belly gently. “—our stomach acid can dissolve metal.”
“That’s so cool!”
