Page 17 of Goodnight, Sinners

There was no bitterness to Vasiliy’s words. He was simply describing events.

“You were married to Dasha’s sister, weren’t you?” Though Shaun framed it as a question, she already knew the answer.

Vasiliy dipped his head in a nod. “Still am.”

He must have seen Shaun’s next question, because he answered before she could form the words. “My wife remained in Kiev. Though much of her family is now dead, she wasn’t willing to leave the life behind.” At Shaun’s questioning look, he added, “The mafia life. Like her sister, she was never one for the simple life. She enjoys the money, glamour, prestige… not that we have much of that left. Between my retirement and our son’s playboy reputation, the family name is in shambles.”

“I’m sorry,” Shaun murmured, glancing sideways at Jozef. His own gaze was scornful. He didn’t understand Vasiliy’s choices. Didn’t condone them. As far as Jozef was concerned, a man showed strength, he kept his family and organization in order. He didn’t abandon them on a whim. Vory didn’t retire.

Yet, Jozef had left Vasiliy alive. She suspected he did it because he wanted to understand how a man could walk away from the life he was born to without a single regret. And it certainly seemed like Vasiliy had no regrets about living off the grid, in his own little slice of paradise, unknown to the outside world. Unknown to the mafia world.

Shaun’s admiration for Jozef grew. He was a good man, even if he couldn’t see it.

The three talked well into the evening until the shadows crept through the windows, blanketing them in cozy darkness. It was Vasiliy who called a halt to their discussion by standing and stretching.

“I assume you will spend the night?” Vasiliy asked. At Jozef’s nod, he continued, “I will show you to your room then and give you a change of sheets. My daughter and… my daughter has been staying in there for a few weeks. You will want to freshen the room while I prepare our supper.”

Shaun stood as well, her back protesting at being in one position for hours. The time had passed quickly and pleasantly.

“Thank you,” she said, following Vasiliy down a hallway. “We appreciate your accommodating us last minute. I’m sorry we interrupted your time with your daughter.”

Jozef put his hand on Shaun’s arm, stopping her. She glanced back. Jozef moved past her, pushing her behind him, his hand snaking beneath his jacket as they traversed the length of the cabin. He still didn’t trust Vasiliy not to lead them into a trap.

She supposed his cautious nature had helped keep him alive over the years, but it saddened her that he couldn’t relax and breathe without the constant fear of attack. She hoped that a few days spent with Vasiliy would help him learn to relax and trust someone.

Her heart ached as she realized he had trusted someone. And that someone had tried to kill him a few weeks ago.

Chapter Nine

Once they were alone in the bedroom, Jozef began pacing and signing.

It might be stupid to stay here. Maybe we should go.

It was weird for Jozef to be indecisive. It took Shaun a moment to realize he wasn’t indecisive for himself, but for her. He didn’t want a decision he made to put her in danger. A laughable idea since his existence put her in danger, but she appreciated his hesitance anyway. She reached to take his hand. He let her pull him in for a loose hug. She wrapped her arms around his waist and held him.

“I trust you, and if you’re willing to stay here, then a part of you trusts Vasiliy. I trust that part of you, Jozef.” She tipped her face up to kiss his jaw. “We came here for a reason. Go with your gut on this one.”

He didn’t smile, but his eyes softened to a deep blue velvet and he kissed her. He didn’t use his tongue, but rested his mouth against hers for a few seconds, whisper soft. Though it wasn’t an erotic kiss, it still made Shaun’s heart leap with anticipation.

He nodded, as if coming to a decision, and gently pushed her away, reaching for the sheets Vasiliy set out for them.

Shaun’s lips quirked in amusement as it became clear Jozef had never changed a bed in his life. In the mansion, he had servants to make up the beds, and in their apartment, Shaun had always been the one to rise last and had made the bed for them.

She giggled and took the fitted sheet from him, showing him how to tuck the corners around the edges of the mattress. He watched in fascination, then put the same amount of focus into making up the bed as he would in cleaning and assembling his gun.

He frowned at the bed once they finished. It looked sloppy.

Shaun tossed herself onto the mattress and patted the blanket beside her. Jozef pulled his jacket off, then, with some hesitation, unbuckled his holster and pulled it off too. He settled onto the mattress next to Shaun, easing her head under his arm.

It was a small bed, meant for one, but Shaun appreciated its coziness. She loved touching Jozef, breathing him in, holding him close. He was her anchor and she needed him close.

Even the few hours they’d spent with Vasiliy had done what weeks of counselling had not. Shaun felt relaxed. She felt more confident and able to deal with life. She was grateful to Jozef for bringing her here, though he himself wasn’t entirely sure he’d made the right decision.

They lay together until Shaun fell asleep, her head pillowed on Jozef’s outstretched arm. She woke to Jozef gently shaking her. She looked up at him sleepily where he sat on the bed next to her hip.

Time for supper,he signed.

Vasiliy must’ve knocked on the door. She dragged herself up and stretched, feeling more energized than she had in weeks.

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