Page 5 of Toxic Salvation (Krayev Bratva #2)

KOVAN

Just what I fucking needed.

Of all the people to run into, today of all days, it has to be Eliza fucking Murphy.

I thought I’d seen the last of her when Judge Latimer handed down the custody ruling. But then again, nothing in my life has ever been that simple.

“Ms. Murphy,” I say, forcing my voice into something resembling civility. I can feel Vesper behind me, close enough that her presence makes my skin burn. “What brings you to Cordingly Prep?”

Her eyes slide past me to land on Vesper, and I know we’re fucked. Vesper has every reason to destroy me right now. One word from her about our breakup, and Murphy will have Luka back in Yana’s custody before the day is over.

“It’s not a coincidence, Mr. Krayev,” Eliza says. “I’m here for Luka. Court-mandated follow-ups are part of your custody agreement, as I’m sure you recall.”

My jaw clenches. “Of course.”

“Dr. Fairfax.” Murphy turns to Vesper with what passes for warmth from her. “Good to see you again.”

Vesper takes Eliza’s appearance in stride. “Eliza, what a surprise,” she says as she steps next to me. “I assume you’re here to check on Luka’s adjustment?”

“Among other things.” Murphy’s gaze bounces between us. “Though I have to say, finding you both here suggests things might not be going as smoothly as I’d hoped.”

I’m fucking spiraling inside. This is it. This is where Vesper gets her revenge. Where she tells Murphy exactly what kind of man I really am and watches my world crumble down around me.

Instead, she smiles. “Luka’s been having some trouble with bullies at school. You know how cruel children can be.”

I stare at her, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Waiting for her to add, “Oh, and by the way, Kovan’s a lying piece of shit who threw me away like garbage.”

But she doesn’t.

Murphy’s eyebrows climb toward her hairline. “Bullies?”

“Nothing serious,” Vesper continues smoothly. “Just some boys picking on him. We came in to speak with Dean Thomas about it.”

Before Murphy can respond, footsteps echo down the hallway. Luka appears around the corner, his face lighting up when he sees Vesper. He breaks into a run, throwing himself at her like she’s a life preserver.

“Vesper! You stayed! I thought Uncle Kovan might kick you out again.”

My stomach drops into my fucking shoes.

Vesper’s smile doesn’t waver, but I see her knuckles go white where she’s gripping Luka’s shoulders. “Luka, sweetie, that’s not fair to your uncle.”

“But Vesper?—”

“Hey!” Her voice gets brighter, more manic. “How about we plan that trip to the science museum this weekend? Just you and me?”

Luka’s eyes widen with excitement, but Murphy isn’t buying the distraction. Her sharp gaze cuts between Vesper and me, back and forth, again and again.

She is not so easily distracted.

“Luka,” Murphy says, crouching down to his eye level, “what did you mean when you said your uncle kicked Vesper out?”

Luka freezes, his face cycling through confusion before recognition dawns. “You’re the social worker lady. The one who decides where I live.”

“That’s right.” Murphy’s smile is thin. “And I need to make sure you’re being taken care of properly.”

For the first time since this nightmare started, Luka looks to me for help. His chin wobbles, and I can see the fear creeping into his eyes. “But the judge said I could stay with Uncle Kovan. He’s not changing his mind, is he?”

Eliza startles, looking alarmed and at a loss for words. “No, no, nothing of the sort. I just need to check on you sometimes. That’s part of the arrangement.”

“You have an appointment with Dean Thomas?” Vesper interjects smoothly.

“I prefer unannounced visits,” Murphy replies, her eyes never leaving Vesper’s face. “They give me a more accurate picture of the situation.”

I haven’t said a damn word. I can feel everything I’ve fought for hanging in the balance, dependent on whatever comes out of Vesper’s mouth next.

“Of course,” Vesper says. “That makes perfect sense.”

Murphy nods slowly. “Since I’ve run into all of you here, perhaps we should talk. It seems there have been some changes since our last meeting. Changes that should have been reported to the court, Mr. Krayev.”

I clear my throat and finally speak up. “Nothing has changed, Ms. Murphy.”

“But Luka just said?—”

I see Vesper squeeze Luka’s arm, her eyes widening as they meet his. He nods once, understanding passing between them.

“Luka likes to repeat things he hears,” Vesper explains, stepping closer to me. “And I was being dramatic earlier. We had to move out temporarily for renovations, and I wasn’t happy about it. You know how it is—I was complaining.”

She slips under my arm like we’ve done this a thousand times before. Her hand comes to rest on my chest, and I have to force myself not to react to the proximity. Her touch burns through my shirt like it’s on fire.

Murphy doesn’t look convinced. “I’m not sure I understand… The two of you haven’t broken up?”

Vesper laughs hysterically. “Broken up? Of course not! We’re very much together.”

Murphy turns to Luka, whose poker face is nonexistent. I can see him struggling to keep up with the conversation, though he’s trying his hardest.

“Luka, honey,” Vesper says quickly, “why don’t you go get your things from your locker? We’ll meet you there in a few minutes.”

Luka nods and disappears down the hallway, leaving the three of us in uncomfortable silence.

“What exactly is going on here?” Murphy demands the moment Luka is out of earshot.

Vesper’s hand tightens on my chest. I can feel the tremor in her fingers, but her voice remains steady. “We have something we’re keeping from Luka. It’s still early, so we’re not ready to tell him yet.”

Murphy crosses her arms. “And what would that be?”

“I’m pregnant.”

If my life didn’t depend on it, that might’ve broken me. As it is, I have to lock every muscle in my body to keep from reacting, to maintain the mask of calm that’s served me so well over the years.

It has to be a lie, of course. A desperate attempt to throw Murphy off the scent.

Except the way she said it… The tremor in her voice, the pressure of her fingers on me like she’s trying to anchor herself…

“Pregnant?” Murphy repeats skeptically.

“That’s right. We found out recently, and we’re waiting for the right time to tell Luka.”

Murphy pulls out her notebook, scribbling something down. “I’ll need documentation for my report. You understand—court requirements.”

“Of course.” Vesper reaches into her pocket without hesitation, pulling out a folded piece of paper. “And as luck should have it, here’s my first ultrasound.”

She hands it over, and I catch a glimpse of the name at the top before Murphy takes it.

FAIRFAX, VESPER.

It can’t be…

But it is. It’s real. The ultrasound is real, which means?—

So is the baby.

“Well,” Murphy breathes, studying the image. “That’s… Congratulations.”

“Thank you. We’re very excited.”

Murphy folds the paper and hands it back, her entire demeanor shifting. “I should let you get back to your family business. I can catch Dean Thomas another time.”

“Of course,” Vesper agrees. “You must be busy.”

Murphy nods curtly and starts down the hallway. The tapping of her heels fades slowly before it disappears altogether. I watch her go, waiting until she’s completely out of sight before I turn to face Vesper.

She’s staring down at the ultrasound photo in her hands, her face pale except for the three small birthmarks on her right cheek. Orion’s belt. I used to trace those marks with my thumb when she fell asleep beside me.

The urge to touch her now is so strong it’s physically painful. I want to pull her against me, bury my face in her hair, apologize for every cruel word I’ve ever said to her.

Instead, I force my voice into neutral territory. “Who does that belong to?”

She flinches like I’ve slapped her. When she looks up at me, her eyes are bright with unshed tears.

“Me,” she says, her voice hollow. “It belongs to me. But don’t worry, Kovan. You don’t have to concern yourself with any of this.”

“Vesper—”

“No.” She steps back, putting distance between us. “You made yourself very clear a month ago. I’m not family. I’m not blood. I’m nothing to you.”

“That’s not?—”

“Save it.” She turns toward the hallway where Luka disappeared. “I need to go say goodbye to him. And then I’ll get out of your life permanently, just like you wanted.”

She starts to walk away, and panic claws at my chest. “Wait,” I growl.

She stops but doesn’t turn around. “What?”

A thousand words crowd my throat, but none of them make it past my lips. How do I tell her that I’ve been dying without her? That every day since I walked away has been a fresh hell? That seeing her today has made me realize I’d rather live recklessly with her than safely without her?

How do I tell her that the baby she’s carrying— my baby, our baby—changes everything?

I open my mouth to speak. The apology is right there, waiting to be voiced, and with it lies all that stupid hope. The hope that there’s a happy ending in the cards for us, somewhere, if only one or both of us are brave enough to reach for it.

What comes out of my mouth instead is, “Good. Go away. Stay away. We don’t need you anymore.”