Page 42 of Toxic Temptation
“I messed up,” I say. “Spooked him.”
“The scar happened after that day at the hospital,” Kovan’s voice is carefully controlled. “I only found it when I took him swimming. He insisted on wearing a shirt in the pool.”
“How? I mean, who? Or, fuck, I don’t know what I mean. Why, I guess.”
“Ihor, his stepfather, was angry about something,” replies Kovan. “He took it out on the only person who couldn’t fight back.”
I study Kovan’s face. The pain there isn’t manufactured. Whatever else he is, whatever else he’s done or hidden or buried, his love for Luka is real.
“And the bruise? That one is fresher.”
“His mother. She was annoyed that he was playing too loudly.”
“Jesus.” I wrap my arms around myself against the sudden chill.
Luka stands silhouetted against the aquarium glass, one small hand pressed to the surface as fish swim past. He looks so alone it breaks something in my chest.
“What can a mother have against her own son?” I murmur, more to myself than to him.
“He’s small. Quiet. Thoughtful. Ihor and Yana see those as weaknesses instead of gifts.” Kovan’s jaw tightens. “They treat him like a burden instead of a miracle.”
“And you?”
“He’s my nephew.” The pride in his voice is unmistakable. It’s the same tone my father used when he talked about me. Fierce and protective and full of love. Kovan doesn’t need to say anything else to make me understand.
“Come on,” he says. “He trusts easily once he knows you’re safe.”
We join Luka at the aquarium. The water glows an otherworldly blue in the darkness.
“How did you get us in here?” I ask.
“I know the executive director,” says Kovan.
I gawk at him. “Of course you do.”
Luka giggles. “Uncle Kovan knows everyone.”
“Only the people who matter,” Kovan says, but his eyes are on his nephew. “Luka loves this place, so I made sure he’d always have access. He has a lifetime membership.”
“I didn’t know those existed.”
“They don’t.” Kovan winks, and Luka copies him.
“Show-offs,” I tease, squeezing Luka’s shoulder.
“This isn’t even my favorite part,” Luka says. “The planetarium is the best. Can we go now?”
“If you wish,” Kovan answers. “Lead the way.”
As we walk, I notice the guards hanging back, lurking shadows at the edge of my vision.
“Doesn’t that bother you? Being watched all the time?”
“It keeps Luka safe. And you.”
Luka takes my hand again, and I get another look at his injuries. They’re worse than I first thought.
“Does it hurt?”
