Page 233 of Toxic Temptation
“It doesn’t fucking matter!” I roar. “What matters is that I lied to her. I kept this from her.”
“Kovan—”
“And that motherfucker!” My hands ball into fists. “I made it crystal clear that Vesper was off-limits. He was to stay away from her.”
“Ever since Yana got arrested, I think he’s decided all bets are off.”
“Good.” I push past him toward the door. “No more playing nice. Time to deal with this head-on.”
“Wait, where are you going?”
“To find Ihor.” All the rage is gone. I’m deadly calm now. “He and I are having a conversation. Today.”
“You’re just going in?” Osip gawks at me. “We need to plan this. We need backup?—”
“You and Pavelaremy backup. Call him now.”
Osip jumps in front of me, blocking my path. “Are you thinking this through? I know you’re upset about Vesper, but?—”
“You think this is about Vesper?”
“Uh… yes?”
“No. This is about Ihor constantly undermining my authority. He still works for me, officially. Time to remind him who’s in charge.” I push past him again. “As for Vesper… maybe it’s good she knows the truth. Maybe she’ll finally realize we’re a terrible idea. We have no future. We never did.”
I stride toward the door, forcing my hands to stop shaking.
Because no matter how convincingly I deliver those words to Osip, we both know the truth.
Vesper has gotten under my skin in a way no one ever has. She’s changed something fundamental in me, and now that she’s pulling away, I feel like I’m bleeding from a wound I can’t see.
Fuck it.
If it kills me, let it kill me.
We can’t go on like this. It was a cruel joke to ever pretend we could.
80
KOVAN
By the time Ihor puts out his cigarette, Osip, Pavel and I have him surrounded. Three guns pointed at his head.
Ihor doesn’t even flinch. He offers each of us a smile that could pass for welcoming if I didn’t know better.
“Really, boys. There was no need to force your way in. I would have opened the gates.” He adjusts his cufflinks. “We’re family, after all.”
Pavel spits on the ground. Osip sneers.
“I thought I made myself clear,” I growl. “Vesper was off-limits.”
“Your resourceful little girlfriend did her own digging.” Ihor reaches for his whiskey tumbler like we’re here for afternoon tea. “She was the one snooping around locked offices. I simply confirmed what she already knew.”
My jaw clenches. “You told her about the Keres.”
“I told her the truth.” He takes a slow sip. “Must have been difficult, hearing that both her boyfriend and her father were neck-deep in stolen organs.”
Father?
