Page 199 of Toxic Salvation
“Vesper?”
Kovan appears from behind the rose bushes. His white shirt brings out the green in his eyes.
“I’ve been looking for you all day,” I snap. “What’s this I hear about a meeting with the FBI? It’s about me, isn’t it? They’ve concluded their investigation and found me guilty. I’m going to jail. Is that why you’ve been avoiding me all afternoon?”
Kovan steps forward and grabs my shoulders. “Someone’s had a few too many cups of coffee today.”
“I’ve had only one. Why didn’t you tell me about this meeting?”
“Because I didn’t want to worry you. Clearly, that worked out really well.”
I bite my lip. “Kovan, I’m freaking out here?—”
“You’ve been cleared of all charges,” he interrupts. “You’re not going to court, Vesper. You’re officially off the hook.”
My lungs fill with air. For a moment, I feel weightless. Then: “Seriously?”
“Seriously.” Kovan smiles.
“But how?”
He pulls me into his arms. “I found Jeremy.”
“No!” I gasp. “I thought he’d disappeared off the face of the planet.”
“No one disappears until I make them disappear. I found the pathetic fucker hiding out in West Texas. He changed his name, created a whole new identity for himself. I believe he was planning on leaving the country. He didn’t count on me catching up to him before he made his move.”
“So he confessed?”
“I made sure he did.”
“Does that mean?—”
He puts a finger to my lip to shush me before I can get into the grisly details. “Jeremy Fleming is going to prison for a very long time, Vesper.”
My legs buckle, but Kovan catches me. “I can’t believe it. It’s over then, isn’t it?”
“It’s over. You’re in the clear. We all are. The Keres is officially dead, Jeremy is in custody, and Ihor and Yana are maggot food.”
Taking his hand, we walk over to the stone bench together, and I drop down heavily. “I’m in shock.”
“I told you I’d keep you safe, didn’t I?” Kovan says. “I can’t believe you ever doubted me.”
I rest my head against his shoulder. “I feel like I can finally live my life. I feel like I can finally be happy. Thank you, my love.”
“You don’t need to thank me. I’d do anything for you.”
I pull his face to mine and kiss him the way I kiss him in our bedroom—the kind that has an ulterior motive, that’s meant to lead to other things. Sexy things. Dirty things.
“Whoa, hold on a second?—”
That’s a first. He never breaks this kind of kiss.
“You said you’ve been looking for me all day?” he asks.
“Right.” I gulp air and try to catch my breath. “You know what? It’s not important.”
“Vesper…”
