Page 70 of Goodnight, Sinners

Her mother!

The bitch who gave birth to her and then ruined all of their lives. Still, she didn’t want her mother to die. She’d pleaded with Jozef to allow her to take care of their mother, to imprison her and keep her safe. Of course, he wouldn’t. He couldn’t. Saskia could accept that, but she couldn’t find it in herself to forgive.

She suspected Jozef knew what was in her heart. He watched at all times and doubled her guard when she was around Shaun.

Shaun was complicated. Well, actually, she wasn’t particularly complicated. She was a do-gooder with a big heart who was navigating a new and deadly world. Saskia felt for her, but she was also impatient.

The things Shaun was learning to come to terms with were things that Saskia had learned as she learned how to walk, talk and navigate a dark world of illegal dealings. She’d watched and absorbed as much as she could while she grew.

Shaun was an unexpected wrench in the Koba operations, but also a breeze of fresh air. She’d led to the downfall of the family, but she was also responsible for bringing to light secrets within the family.

Complicated.

Shaun thought Saskia was being cool and taciturn because of the incident in the shed when Shaun had kicked Saskia out rather than allow her to question Adam. Though she’d been angry, she hadn’t stayed that way. Instead, she’d been proud of the way her soon-to-be cousin-in-law had handled herself. Tough and in charge of the situation. She’d managed the guards like she’d been born to it. Like Saskia would have done in her place.

No, Saskia was keeping her distance because she had her own shit to figure out. Where was her place in this family? Where was her sister and her mother? Should she stay and continue with her studies? Should she try to find Leeza or Dasha? Or should she disappear? For good this time.

She was so absorbed by her thoughts and her shooting practice that she didn’t notice anyone come into the gun range. It wasn’t until she stopped to replace her clip that a tap on the shoulder jarred her back to her surroundings.

Saskia slammed the clip home and spun, raising her gun.

A woman she’d never seen before stood opposite her.

She was young, maybe around Saskia’s age. Though she was beautiful, her features were serious and her eyes were hostile. She had ebony skin, short, black hair and wore combat clothes. She stared down Saskia’s gun as though daring her to shoot.

Saskia lowered her weapon, assuming the other woman wasn’t a threat, or she would have shot Saskia instead of tapping her on the shoulder.

She dragged her mufflers from her ears.

“Who are you?” she demanded.

“That’s what I want to know,” the other woman responded, her eyes narrowing as she looked Saskia up and down. “I haven’t seen any other women around this place. I know you are not Dr. Shaun Patterson, so who are you? A guard?”

Saskia laughed, unable to help herself. She was as far from a guard as you could get.

Saskia was wearing a pair of low-riding jeans with a rainbow ribbon for a belt and a black T-shirt that sat just above her bellybutton. The shirt was emblazoned with one of her favourite metal bands, Mechanical Poet.

The other woman looked like more of a guard in her green fatigue pants, tight black T-shirt, and combat boots.

“I’m Jozef’s cousin, Saskia.” She held out her hand.

After a moment’s hesitation, the other woman took Saskia’s hand, squeezing it in a tight, no-nonsense grip, before dropping it. “Ayaan Radik. I am the new hire for Mr. Jozef Koba’s elite team.”

Saskia’s brows went up along with her esteem for her cousin. He really was bringing the Koba organization into the 21stcentury.

Apparently catching Saskia’s expression, Ayaan scowled, misreading Saskia’s surprise. “You don’t think I can handle myself with these men?”

In fact, Saskia thought the opposite. There was no way Jozef would hire anyone, let alone a woman, if she couldn’t handle herself. Still, Saskia couldn’t let this chance for mischief pass. She wanted to see exactly what Ayaan was made of.

“Pick a gun.” Saskia ducked her head so Ayaan wouldn’t see her grin.

Ayaan turned on her heel and strode toward the weapons room, jabbing her fingers into the pad next to the door, entering the code, showing that she had indeed been approved to be on the estate.

Saskia trailed after her, watching as the other woman stalked the room, eyeing the weapons. She stopped in front of the cage that held the heavy artillery. Saskia watched in fascination as Ayaan once again flawlessly entered a code and opened the door.

She didn’t waste time but chose an Uzi. She set it on the shelf next to the cage and searched until she came up with the correct magazine. Slamming the cage shut, she reached for the next one, entering the code, walking in and returning with a rifle and a box of ammo.

“Don’t close it.” Saskia stepped forward and entered the cage, choosing a rifle for herself. If Ayaan got to have some fun with the heavier weapons, then Saskia wanted in on that action.

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