Page 216 of Toxic Temptation
He’s standing there in his perfectly tailored suit, green eyes blazing with something between pride and desire. That slow, seductive smile spreads across his face.
“That was magnificent,” he murmurs.
I go beet red. “You heard all that?”
“Every beautiful, terrifying word.” His palm cups my cheek. “I couldn’t have done better myself.”
“I don’t even know what I said in there.” My hands are shaking with leftover adrenaline. “I was so angry that anyone would treat Luka that way?—”
He cuts me off with a kiss. Right here in the hallway of Luka’s expensive private school, Kovan kisses me like we’re alone in his bedroom.
When we break apart, I’m dizzy.
“What was that for?”
“For protecting him when I couldn’t be here. For fighting for him. For being exactly who he needs you to be.” His thumb traces my cheekbone. “You’re fierce when you’re angry, Miss—excuse me,Dr.Fairfax.”
I laugh, some of the tension finally leaving my shoulders. “Are you making fun of me?”
Kovan grins down. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
74
KOVAN
“What’s the fucking delay?” I check my watch for the tenth time in five minutes. “We’ve been sitting in this godforsaken hallway for over an hour.”
I’m sick of this place. The courtroom is barren and old. Badly flickering lights, ceiling tiles missing in the hallway, and the most uncomfortable waiting room chairs that human society has ever produced. I’m half-tempted to smash them to bits and use the rubble to beat my way into the judge’s chambers.
Derek adjusts his tie for the hundredth time. “Let me check with the clerk again.”
I get to my feet and start pacing. Vesper picked out this Armani suit, said I needed to look respectable for the judge. Right now, I couldn’t give a shit if I showed up in a potato sack. All that matters is the custody decision that will determine whether Luka comes home with me or gets dragged back to hell.
My phone pings with another text from Vesper.
VESPER:Just built the world’s greatest pillow fort. Luka says it’s “structurally sound” thanks to his robotics lessons with Waylen. How’s it going?
I type back quickly:Still waiting. Tell him I’ll be home soon.
The courtroom doors swing open, and Derek emerges looking oddly satisfied. “We’re starting now. And Kovan? You’re gonna want to hear this.”
I follow him into the courtroom. It’s oddly empty. Usually, these custody battles draw extended family, character witnesses, the whole fucking circus. Today, it’s just me, Derek, and Yana’s scrawny lawyer—who looks like he’s about to vomit all over his cheap suit.
“Where’s their team?” I ask Derek under my breath.
He grins. “There was a development this morning. A significant one.”
The bailiff calls for everyone to rise as Judge Latimer enters. He’s a stern man in his sixties, a dour, salt-of-the-earth type who’s probably seen every sob story and manipulation tactic in the book. Today, he looks particularly irritated.
The courtroom doors burst open again, and Ihor stalks in alone. His face is placid, but I know him well enough to read the signs. The muscle in his jaw is twitching. His hands are tight fists. Whatever just happened, it wasn’t part of his plan.
“Mr. Makhova,” Judge Latimer says coldly. “How generous of you to grace us with your presence.”
“My humblest apologies for the delay, Your Honor.”
Even the judge can tell when Ihor is being condescending. He frowns, but says nothing for now.
Latimer shuffles through the papers on his desk, taking his time. “This hearing was scheduled to begin an hour ago. Unfortunately, we had to postpone due to your wife’s rather inconvenient arrest.”
