Page 175 of Toxic Temptation
The image is so perfect it makes my chest ache.
Which is exactly why I can’t let it happen.
I’ve been so focused on winning custody that I forgot to consider the collateral damage. Luka is already too attached to Vesper. Hell, so am I.
And as Krayev men, we cannot afford attachments. They’re far too dangerous.
So I need to get my head back in the game. Remember why I’m doing this. Remember that Vesper was never supposed to be permanent.
She can’t be.
I ignore his request and start humming the Russian lullabies my father used to sing. I hold him until he finally forgets about Vesper, until sleep claims him again.
Unfortunately, forgetting isn’t so easy for me.
“We thought we’d take a walk around the garden,” Vesper says, tossing one of Luka’s rubber balls into the air and catching it. “Want to join us?”
“I’m busy.” I don’t look up from my phone.
Waylen’s head snaps toward me. His shoulders tense in that protective-older-brother way that happens whenever I so much as breathe wrong in Vesper’s direction.
“Fine,” says Vesper. “Suit yourself.”
The moment she and Luka disappear outside, Waylen starts shoving his teaching materials into a folder. Each jerky movement screams his disapproval.
I set down my phone with a sigh. “Something you want to say, Waylen?”
“You’re a fucking piece of work.”
“Excuse me?”
“You’ve been cold to Vesper all morning. She’s trying to help, and you’re treating her like shit.”
“I have a lot going on right now?—”
“I don’t give a fuck what you have going on.” He abandons any pretense of organizing and faces me head-on. “You dragged my sister into your mess. The least you can do is be civil.”
“Trust me.” I stand, meeting his glare. “It’s better this way.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Waylen lets out a harsh laugh, his eyes narrowing. “Jesus Christ. You have feelings for her, don’t you? That’s why you’re playing these stupid fucking mind games. Because, for all your big, bad talk and your big, bad walk, you don’t even know how to say three little words. Here, I’ll help; repeat after me:‘I like you.’That’s not so hard, is it?”
Every muscle in my body coils up. Not that I can hit Waylen, but fuck, sometimes, I’d love to do exactly that. “This conversation is over.”
He steps into my path, blocking my escape. “My sister isn’t some disposable toy you can play with when convenient. She’s brilliant and kind and funny as hell. But she’s also vulnerable. Too trusting for her own good. If you think you can just?—”
“I’m not playing with her,” I snarl, jabbing my finger into his chest. “The last thing I want is to hurt her.”
Waylen goes quiet, studying my face. “So what’s the plan? Be an asshole until your feelings disappear? Treat her like garbage so it’s easier to walk away?”
“You realize I’m your boss, right?”
“Fire me then.” He shrugs. “I’m sure Luka will have opinions about that.”
“Fuck you.” I push past him and lumber toward the bar cart in the corner.
