Page 19 of Goodnight, Sinners

Vasiliy gave him a knowing look, indicating he could read Jozef’s thoughts. It was tempting to kill the man just to get Vasiliy out of his damn head.

“Your father worked as liaison to your uncle. He ran the street crews and travelled between cities meeting with Krystoff’s contacts when he couldn’t go himself.”

Jozef signed that he already knew this.

“Back then I did business often with your uncle, though I met more often with your father.” He paused again, his faded eyes on Jozef. “Gregor was a tough man, but he was also fair. After several meetings, we established a friendship, along with an alliance. This is how I know it was your uncle, or someone in his inner circle, who killed your father.”

Jozef’s hand came down on the table hard, causing the doll to jump. Vasiliy frowned and lifted her from the table, setting it carefully on the bench behind him before refocusing on Jozef.

You will not throw out accusations without proof,Jozef signed, adding a snarl for emphasis.

Vasiliy shrugged. “Of course, I have no proof. You will have to take my word. And I would appreciate if you withheld your threats until I’ve finished. I’ve been waiting years to tell you this story, and I’d rather not keep it to myself anymore. Too much responsibility for a retiree.”

Spit it out then,Jozef signed.

“Your legendary patience is slipping, Mr. Koba,” Vasiliy said chidingly. “You must maintain your cool. Especially with the jackals who’ll be circling your newfound empire. You’ve spent years building your reputation, don’t damage it now.”

Jozef heard the words, felt the words, but couldn’t contain his anger. Vasiliy was correct. He’d spent a lifetime learning how to become thoughtful, measured, patient. Like a jungle cat, he didn’t strike until he was sure of his kill. Only the events of the past few weeks had rattled him to the core. He was no longer certain of who he was, where his place was, or where he really wanted to be. Perhaps that was what drew him to Vasiliy and his little cottage. He knew Vasiliy had answers to questions he didn’t even know to ask.

He took a calming breath and nodded at Vasiliy to continue, before signing,I won’t interrupt again. Please say what you wish without fear of retaliation.

“Good… now where was I?” Vasiliy trailed off. “Your father came to visit me often and we bonded over cigars and vodka.” At Jozef’s look, Vasiliy chuckled. “Yes, we were your stereotypical tough guys. We had the world at our fingertips, or at least I did. As you know, your father was the younger son of a powerful mafia family, and while he’d been raised understanding that he would follow in Krystoff’s footsteps, it wasn’t enough for him. He wanted what his brother refused to share. He wanted equal power and equal placement in the family hierarchy and he wanted his son to eventually take up the Koba mantle.”

Jozef couldn’t hide his shock this time. He’d been five when his parents died. He didn’t remember them well, but what he did remember was pleasant. The smell of his mother’s skin, her soft voice, his father’s boisterous laugh and jovial temperament.

He couldn’t picture his father plotting to take over his uncle’s empire. It made sense, though. A part of him had always wondered if his uncle had killed his parents. He hadn’t wanted to believe that the man who raised him was also responsible for his status as an orphan. But knowing his father was planning an attack made Krystoff’s actions more understandable. If that was indeed what had happened.

Vasiliy confirmed Jozef’s thoughts. “Your father carefully plotted to overthrow his brother. He didn’t want to take the entire Koba organization for himself, just what he considered his fair piece. Though I understood his disgruntlement with his placement, I tried to talk him out of his plans. The longer he thought about it, the firmer he became. His plan was solid too. He had many people working the streets of Prague, all loyal to him. He was going to use them to take the estate in a bloodless coup. Or so he hoped. His plan might have been successful, except Krystoff found out.”

Jozef swallowed hard, trying to stifle the long-buried emotions rising in his chest. Images were flooding his brain, distracting him, making it harder to keep a straight face. Images of his parents lying dead on the floor, riddled with bullets. His mother’s beautiful brown eyes, frozen open for eternity, forever burned in Jozef’s brain.

Did you tell my uncle about my father’s plan?

“No. Though I didn’t agree with Gregor, I wouldn’t have put him in danger.” Vasiliy’s answer was immediate and heartfelt. “I believe my wife, Vasha,” he said her name with such disgust there was no missing the hatred he harboured for his wife, “must’ve overheard one of our meetings and told her sister. She confessed after your father was killed, and I realized there was only one source the information could’ve come from. I nearly killed her in my rage.”

And you’re positive it was my uncle who killed my parents?Though the story made sense, explained a lot of things, he had trouble believing his uncle had caused such damage to his family. Now, it was too late to ask Krystoff what had really happened all those years ago.

Jozef touched the scar on his throat, tracing the ridges with his fingers. He rarely thought of his lack of voice. No point. He was mute and that wouldn’t change. But once again, burning rage threatened to consume him as he thought about the destruction to his family and his voice.

Vasiliy’s gaze softened as he watched Jozef.

“Who else would leave a child witness alive?” Vasiliy asked softly. “Only someone who cared. Who couldn’t bring themselves to do more than make sure you never spoke your story?”

Jozef shrugged.It was overkill. I remember little from that night. Never have.

“I’m sorry that happened to you, Jozef. You didn’t deserve it then, and you don’t deserve it now. You should have grown up knowing your parents. Knowing the strength of your father and the love of your mother. You should have your voice.”

Jozef glanced away from Vasiliy, pain blossoming in his chest. It was the first real emotional reaction he’d had to the deaths of his parents since he was a child. It was the first time he really felt their loss. Then, Vasiliy was the first person to really talk to him about them.

Vasiliy changed the subject, giving Jozef time to collect himself and regain his ability to sort through the plethora of information Vasiliy was giving him with a cool head.

“It was shortly after that I became better acquainted with your aunt and uncle.” He cleared his throat. “There’s no straightforward way to say this, and I’m not one to sugar-coat things. It was at this time that your aunt and I had a brief affair. She was grieving for your parents and knew that I’d been friends with Gregor. I think being together gave us both a place to shelter during the storm of change that came after their deaths. When I found out she’d tried to kill my wife while the two were still living at home, I broke off the affair.”

Jozef stared at Vasiliy. An affair? He hadn’t seen that coming.

What does this have to do with me?Jozef signed, then he stopped as he realized where Vasiliy was headed. The conversation had started with Vasiliy’s daughter, had wound its way to Jozef’s parents, and then landed on an affair with Dasha.

Motherfucker.

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