Page 29 of Goodnight, Sinners

Shaun was sitting in the shadows, still thinking about the surgery, planning her strategy and looking forward to working with Elisa. She knew she was getting ahead of herself, that Jozef would likely nix the surgery. She also knew that she wouldn’t let him.

She felt for Jozef. He was rebuilding his uncle’s mafia organization, restructuring and reorganizing. It was a big job. Havel had told her that the Bratva were breathing down Jozef’s neck when he’d confronted her after their trip to Poland, insisting she never lure Jozef into doing that again. She had assured Havel that she would do and say what she pleased with Jozef. Then she’d told him that Poland hadn’t been her idea. Hell, she was ashamed to admit, she hadn’t even known Poland was a neighbouring country. Shaun had since pulled up Google Maps on her laptop and studied the part of the world she was now living in.

The gist of Havel’s argument was that Jozef was busy and important, and she needed to give him breathing room. Havel had pointed out that Shaun was a distraction to Jozef. One that could get him killed. Shaun had taken his point, though she hated the way Havel delivered it. They’d known each other for a year and a half. Wasn’t it time for Jozef’s second-in-command to warm up to her?

She thought he’d softened after she patched up his wound and watched over him until he recovered enough to protect both of them. What more could she do to prove her loyalty? She was starting to believe he was unpleasant to everyone, not just her.

Regardless, she would do as Havel suggested and make sure she wasn’t an added stressor in Jozef’s life while he was managing a massive takeover. Her resolve lasted two days.

Because she was about to draw her line in the sand.

She couldn’t allow Jozef to dictate her entire life. She had to tell him how her future would take shape, rather than allow him to shape it for her.

Or these were the things she told herself as she prepared her argument to convince Jozef to let her do the surgery.

“Can we talk?” she asked.

Jozef stepped into the lamplight surrounding the couch.

N-O, he signed.

Shaun frowned. “No, we can’t talk.”

He shook his head and looked pointedly at her hands, before signing,we can talk any time you want. I was saying N-O to the surgery your guest proposed today.

Shaun gaped at him, then shook her head. “I’m firing Atlas at the first opportunity.”

No, you’re not. He has 20 years of experience with the FSB and has worked with European intelligence. He stays.

At her blank look, he added,Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation.

I’m doing the surgery,she signed back.

He walked slowly toward her, his signs careful and measured.It’s too dangerous.

Shaun pushed herself out of her chair and stood, holding his gaze.I’m not a reckless person. I can take care of myself.

You don’t understand how easy it would be to get to you in a hospital.

She narrowed her eyes at him.Maybe you don’t understand how hard it is to get onto a surgical ward in a hospital.

He shook his head in exasperation.Like the one I took you from in M-O-N-T-R-E-A-L?

Shaun crossed her arms over her chest. “You can’t keep me locked up forever.”

Jozef took the last step separating them and brushed his finger down her cheek. A shiver ran down her spine, though she tried to suppress it. She was taking a stand, not melting over her gorgeous fiancé.

I can keep you locked up forever,he signed, but before she could argue, he added,I won’t. I know it will hurt you and I refuse to do anything that will cause you harm, mental or physical.

She softened and almost capitulated, but she really wanted to do the surgery. She lived for the knife and this surgery, after taking such a long break, felt like a toy in front of a toddler, just out of reach.

“I know you won’t hurt me,” she whispered. “You never really have, not deliberately.”

He took her hand and placed it against his heart before signing over top of her arm,I would rather die.

She smiled. “Dramatic, but also romantic.”

He leaned over and gently took her lips in a kiss so sweet Shaun’s heart ached and her head swam. His love for her was an aphrodisiac. It was everything every woman wanted. It should be enough for her.

---