Page 35 of Toxic Temptation
“Think about it from a court’s perspective. What would a bachelor want with an eight-year-old? Why would he choose that kind of responsibility over his freedom?”
“Because he’d be better off with me.”
“I’m afraid the court won’t see it that way.”
My hands curl into fists. “That’s why I’m here. Make them see it that way.”
Francis swallows hard. “If you present a solid case, I can influence the decision. But if I just hand you custody without proper justification, they’ll remove me from the case and assign another judge. One who’s not as… understanding of your situation.”
“Right.” I take a long pull of whiskey, feeling it burn down my throat. “So what do you suggest?”
Francis hesitates. “Honestly?”
“I’m not here for sugar-coated bullshit.”
“It wouldn’t hurt to present yourself as an ideal family unit.”
I frown. “Meaning what?”
“Do you have a girlfriend? Someone presentable?” His voice is careful, measured. “If so, now might be the time to make things more permanent.”
The whiskey glass freezes in mid-air. “You can’t be serious.”
“Courts favor stable environments. To their eyes, a loving couple provides that stability better than a single guardian, regardless of how capable he might be.”
I set down my glass. The clink of crystal rings against the side table.
An idea begins to form in the back of my mind. Crazy, probably impossible, but it might actually work.
The problem is, my plan hinges on convincing one very stubborn, very principled woman to help me. And after everything that’s happened between us, I’m not sure she’ll even let me through her front door.
But for Luka’s safety, I’ll figure out a way to make it work.
I have to.
13
VESPER
“Come any closer and I’ll scream.”
The words slip out in a whisper, but they might as well be a shout for all the good they do me. The massive silhouette by my window doesn’t even flinch.
My hand finds the door handle behind me, fingers wrapping around it so tight my knuckles ache. One wrong move and I’m gone.
“I have no doubt you would.”
That voice.Deep and rough and completely unforgettable. The same voice that’s been haunting my sleep for a week straight, turning my dreams into something shameful and depraved that I can’t admit to anyone.
“Kovan?”
I fumble along the wall until I find the light switch, and suddenly, he’s there in full view. Sharp jaw, green eyes that seem to see everything, hands that could snap me in half without breaking a sweat.
Big hands. Very, very big hands.
“Hello, Vesper. Fancy running into you here.”
“Is that supposed to be funny?” My heart is repeatedly hurling itself against my ribs. “What the hell are you doing in my apartment?”
