Page 31 of Goodnight, Sinners

His expression was both triumphant and resigned. He was going to let her do the surgery.

Chapter Fifteen

Jozef’s capitulation wasn’t as easy as Shaun thought it would be. She should have known better. There was a reason Jozef was master of his slice of the underworld. He was an expert chess player and negotiator.

The next day, after an incredible night, where Jozef woke her repeatedly to fuck her into oblivion, Jozef called Shaun into his office. She felt a little like a schoolgirl being called to task by a parent or teacher. It was a strange feeling considering her years of education and work experience. But that was what Jozef did to her. He made her feel deliciously off-balance and a little unsure, while still building up her confidence.

When she arrived and knocked on the door, it was opened by Atlas, who nodded coldly at her and slipped past. She glanced after their boulder of a butler and then entered Jozef’s office.

His face looked like it was carved from stone, but she wasn’t worried. That was his usual expression when he was working. As soon as his eyes landed on her, his face softened. The implacable lines around his mouth and eyes smoothed, and his eyes shone with the love that was ever present around her.

She walked around the side of his desk and, as he pushed his chair back to make room, dropped into his lap. She pecked him on the lips and smoothed his hair behind his ear. He needed a haircut.

She wondered who cut his hair. A barber? Were they brought in or did he go to a shop? Or maybe he did it himself. Though she didn’t think so, since his hair was always neatly layered and tidily buzzed around the neck.

“You wanted to see me?” she murmured.

He nodded and lifted her off his lap, setting her on his feet. He stood, his body brushing against hers.

Shaun’s gaze drifted down him, taking in the glory of Jozef in a perfectly fitted business suit. He wore it informally, which made him even sexier. His jacket had been removed and his rich wine-coloured dress shirt was unbuttoned at the throat where his tattoos were most prominent, and the sleeves rolled up his muscular forearms.

He took Shaun’s hand and led her back around the desk to the two chairs by the fireplace, which had a cozy fire snapping and flickering, casting shadows over the furniture.

Jozef hesitated, before waving his hand at the chair, indicating she should sit down. She sank into the chair as he dropped into his own. Some of the happiness he’d felt at seeing her drained from his expression.

She tapped his knee to bring his gaze back to her and signed,please, tell me what’s wrong.

He stared at her, and she saw the struggle behind his deep blue gaze. Finally, he nodded.This is where I sat with my uncle. We passed many pleasant hours here, discussing family and business. I…he paused, as if searching for words, then signed,I miss him.

Shaun’s throat felt tight, and she had to fight the urge to apologize once more. She felt the weight of her responsibility toward the destruction of his family. Yet, she also knew that she wasn’t to blame for their decisions. Dasha had made the decision to attack Shaun and Krystoff had made the decision to strike out at Jozef without discussion, without giving Jozef the chance to negotiate a cease-fire. Krystoff had defended his wife, while Jozef had defended Shaun.

She leaned over to touch his hand, which was resting on his thigh.You have every right to feel sad and to miss your uncle. What happened was tragic and unnecessary. It’s okay to cherish your memories of a man you loved.

I killed him,Jozef countered.

You were defending yourself, your building and everyone inside. Just because you were the one to end his life, doesn’t mean you don’t get to mourn for him. Life is complicated and messy, no matter what we do to keep it in order. His decision to attack you and your decision to defend yourself doesn’t take away from a lifetime of knowing him as a father figure. If the memories are too painful, then you can redo the office, get rid of the furniture. If the memories keep him alive for you and give you strength, then don’t touch any of it.

Jozef blinked rapidly but nodded his head. He squeezed her hand, then signed,I am grateful to have you.

She laughed, and signed back,you have me because you weren’t going to take no for an answer.

He looked back at her seriously,no, I won’t.

It wasn’t lost on Shaun that he’d switched from past tense to present. He wouldn’t let her go back then, and he wouldn’t let her go now.

They stared at each other and Jozef’s gaze hardened, became purposeful, and she knew the balance of power had shifted once more. Being with Jozef was like standing on quicksand. One moment he was a normal, loving boyfriend, the next a terrifying mob boss who held her life in his hands. Of course, he was one and the same, and she’d be lying if she said his shifting personality wasn’t deeply sexy to her.

She licked her lips. “You’re going to let me do the surgery, aren’t you?”

She purposefully used spoken language, rather than sign language, as it made her feel more in control of the moment. Especially since she knew she was talking to the mob boss, not the guy who’d made love to her all night long, giving her the delicious ache she felt throughout her body.

He nodded.Yes, but there are conditions.

“What conditions?”

I will have a face-to-face discussion with the hospital director. He must allow my men access to every part of the hospital you will work in so we can keep you secure while you’re distracted with your work.

Shaun felt some horror as she pictured the nightmare of logistics involved in securing an entire surgical ward. There were so many elements involved: sanitization, staffing, patients. None of it would be easy, but she could tell by looking at Jozef that he wasn’t willing to budge on this condition.

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