Page 116 of Toxic Salvation
“‘Dad’ was what you called your father,” Kovan says carefully. “How about you call me ‘Papa’? That way we both get to share you.”
Luka throws his arms around Kovan. “Thanks, Uncle Kov—I mean, Papa.” He pulls back and grins. “I’ll have to get used to that.”
“You and me both. But it sounds good.”
“Are you nervous about the baby?” Luka asks.
Kovan lets out a low whistle. “A little. But then I think about all the help I’ll have. Vesper’s going to be an amazing mother, and you’re going to be an amazing big brother. Really, I have nothing to be scared about.”
I hold my hand to my chest, fighting back tears. I may be a woman of science, but I’m starting to believe Vitalii might have been onto something.
Because something this beautiful has to be fate.
40
KOVAN
Leo Vega.
The name stares back at me from the fake passport photo—Luka’s serious face beneath a stranger’s identity. He’ll probably get a kick out of the star sign reference. The kid’s obsessed with the cosmos, always has been. Maybe, when he’s forced to use this passport, the name will offer some small comfort…
… when he’s running for his life without me.
I flip the passport closed and add it to the stack of forged documents spread across my desk. The Vega family—complete with birth certificates, Social Security cards, driver’s licenses. Everything Pavel, Vesper, and Charity will need to disappear with Luka if this war with Ihor goes sideways.
The office door creaks open and Luka walks in carrying a wooden box that looks ready to burst. His arms strain under the weight.
“What’ve you got there, kiddo?”
“Some of my old toys.” He hefts the box onto my desk with a grunt. “For the baby.”
I stuff the fake documents into my desk drawer and turn the lock. The key goes into my pocket while Luka starts unpacking his treasures.
“Look—I brought books we can read to him. And my first telescope. Oh, and the star projector from my room.” He holds up each item reverently.
“Luka.” I lean back in my chair. “You love that telescope. And the projector. What’s this really about?”
His hands pause on a worn picture book. “They’re good toys. The baby should have the best stuff.”
“The baby is still in Vesper’s tummy. These would be wasted on him right now.”
“I know.” His face falls. “I just wanted you to know I’m okay with sharing.”
“Thank you,malysh.That’s incredibly thoughtful of you.”
He digs deeper into the box, pulling out wooden blocks and a stuffed dinosaur. “Actually, if you want to give him my room, that’s fine, too. It’s bigger than the guest rooms, and it has the garden view. Babies probably like looking at trees and flowers, right?”
“You’d give up your room?”
“He’s your real son.” Luka won’t meet my eyes. “He should get the best of everything.”
I push back from the desk. “Stop digging through that box and come here.”
“I’m just trying to help?—”
“You can help from over here.” I snap my fingers, and he shuffles his feet around the desk. I grab him under the arms and lift him onto the surface in front of me. “What’s going on, Luka?”
He shakes his head, staring at his hands.
