Page 12 of Goodnight, Sinners

“Mr. Koba, Dr. Patterson!” he called after them. “Do you need assistance?”

Shaun spoke for both of them. “No, thanks!” she yelled over her shoulder. “We’re just checking on something. No need to come with us. Have a great night!”

Jozef whisked her into the garage before the guard could say anything else. Shaun was laughing hysterically by the time they were buckled into their seats. He revved the engine like a racecar driver as the garage door lifted, then shot forward as soon as he could, taking the curves of the driveway with a roar of his engine.

They approached the guardhouse at the gate. Jozef gave his men a sign that he wanted the gates opened. They tried to talk to him, but he refused to open the window, making the sign again. Finally, they had no choice but to open the gate.

As they raced toward the highway, stars and streets streaking past them, Shaun let out a whoop of joy. “Freedom!”

Jozef grinned at her and floored the Bugatti when they reached the highway.

“We need music,” she announced, reaching for the stereo.

Before she could choose a track, the mechanical voice of an incoming text came through the speaker.

Where the fuck do you think you’re going?The text belonged to Havel.

Shaun slapped a hand over her mouth to cover her laughter. Poor Havel. Since Shaun had come into Jozef’s life, Havel’s had become dramatically more difficult.

Jozef reached out to text back, but Shaun slapped his hand away. “I’ll do it, you keep your hands on the wheel.”

She typed into the dash,we’re fine. Going on vacation for a few days. No need to come after us.

Tell Jozef to turn around now. We need to talk before you take this so-called vacation.

Shaun and Jozef both laughed and Jozef shook his head. Havel had quickly deduced he was talking to Shaun. She supposed everyone had a particular texting style but was impressed with Havel’s ability to tell who was texting him in the middle of the night when he’d likely been woken from a sound sleep.

Shaun texted:Take care of yourself. We’ll be back soon!

She blocked any more text messages from coming through, chose a playlist from Jozef’s phone that seemed fitting for a road trip and relaxed into her seat.

Just leaving the mansion and grounds lifted her spirits enormously. She finally felt good about something. She would call her mother in the morning and explain, in case anyone mentioned Shaun and Jozef’s wild escape to her. Shaun knew her mother would understand and probably encourage them.

Shaun and Jozef had known each other for a year and a half, yet they hadn’t established any kind of normal. It was time to take back their lives, even if it was only for a few days.

After a few hours, Shaun fell asleep, curled on her side on her reclined seat. She’d offered to drive, but Jozef had given her a horrified look that eloquently spoke to his thoughts of her driving his precious Bugatti.

“I’m an excellent driver!” She’d laughingly protested.

He’d given her another skeptical look and refocused on the road.

Shaun had taken his dismissal as permission to sleep, so she’d made herself as comfortable as possible and snatched a few hours of sleep. When she woke, she felt oddly refreshed, a feeling she hadn’t had since the night Krystoff died.

She blinked and covered her face with her hands to escape the bright sun pouring in through the windows. Sitting up slowly, she lowered her hands, looking around in confusion. She remembered their wild ride through the night, racing up the highway, and she remembered texting Havel.

The car was stopped, and Jozef was nowhere in sight. Panic swelled in her chest, but she forced it back, taking several deep breaths.

“He wouldn’t leave you alone,” she mumbled to herself, scanning the area through the windshield.

They were in a large parking lot with a sprinkling of other vehicles. Next to the parking lot was a highway where cars were flying past. There was a building with a large sign announcing washrooms and food. Jozef must’ve gone inside.

Shaun had to pee and the longer she waited, the more urgent her situation became. She chewed on her lip and pondered her dilemma, finally deciding that Jozef would figure out where she went.

She jumped out of the car, slammed the door shut and ran for the washrooms. She finished quickly, wanting to get back to the car before Jozef noticed she was missing. Flushing the toilet, she opened the stall door and let out a startled scream.

Jozef was standing on the other side, his arms crossed over his chest, his brow lowered in a thunderous frown. His eyes scanned her from head to foot, then he jerked his head in a nod toward the door.

“I have to wash my hands.”

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