Page 37 of Toxic Temptation
“Why have you filed so many complaints against the hospital board?”
All that heat, that awareness, vanishes in an instant. “How do you know about that?”
“I do my research before making deals, Dr. Fairfax.” He rubs at the stubble on his chin. “Seems like you and Jeremy Fleming have some history.”
I know I shouldn’t blow up, shouldn’t show any weakness to this man. That would be like waddling up to a wolf, baring my throat, and saying,Here, have a bite; I’m delicious.But after the day I’ve had, I can’t help it.
I open my mouth to tell him that I don’t particularly care for Mr. Fleming. What comes out is: “Jeremy Fleming is a preening, psychotic parasite who is actively destroying a hospital that’s supposed to save lives. A greedy bastard who cares more about his bank account than our patients. He’s a cancer and a curse and the world would be better off if he were dead. Better still if he went painfully.”
Kovan’s eyes shine. “Tell me how.”
Again, I hesitate. The smart thing to do would be to retreat. Batten the hatches.
But I haven’t done the smart thing with this man since the moment we met.
“Why?” I peel myself off the wall and venture half a step closer to him. “What are you going to do about it?”
“Hopefully, everything.” His face is serious. Composed. Intent. “But I need to know what I’m fighting first.”
“You think you can help me?” The hope in my voice is embarrassing, but I can’t help it.
“Tell me what Jeremy’s doing, and we’ll find out.”
I settle down in a chair and scoot to the edge of it, close enough that I could reach out and touch him if I wanted to. Which I absolutely do not want to do.
“He’s stealing money from the hospital budget. Him and the rest of the board. They’re getting rich while my equipment fails and my patients suffer.” I have to pause to draw in a teary, rattling breath. “I almost lost a kid yesterday. The monitoring equipment malfunctioned because Jeremy won’t approve repairs or replacements.”
A shadow passes over Kovan. His jaw tightens, his hands curl into fists, and I could almost swear I hear the thud of his pulse.
“So Jeremy and his friends need to be dealt with.”
“I’ve tried filing complaints, but they control everything. They have all the power.”
“No.” He shakes his head. “Not all of it.”
Now, it’s my heartbeat that I can audibly detect. I glance down out of pure instinct, wondering if Kovan can see it thumping through my shirt. “What would you do?”
“I can make the entire board disappear. Put you in a position to make real changes. I’ll even throw in a donation big enough to outfit your pediatric ward with everything you’ve ever dreamed of.”
“I…”
Can’t.It’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of, and if there were ever someone I’d believe could make it all happen, it’s the man right in front of me. He’s holding out a silver platter with revenge and justice heaped on top of it. All I have to do is say yes.
But…
But I know better. I know that nothing in this life is free and that there are always, always strings attached. In this case, they’re the kinds of strings that might end up wrapped around my throat if I’m not careful.
“What do you want in return?” I ask reluctantly.
He doesn’t hesitate. “A favor.”
“What kind of favor?”
“You remember Luka.”
Of course I remember Luka. Sweet, brave Luka with his gray eyes and too-serious face. “Yes.”
“I need custody of him.” Kovan’s voice goes rough. “If he stays where he is, he’s going to get hurt. Maybe killed.”
