Page 93 of Goodnight, Sinners

She thought about trying to get him out of his clothes, then decided against it. He was heavy and she didn’t want him thinking they were going to have sex. As much as her body responded to him, even in this state, she wouldn’t do something that intimate while he was inebriated.

Shaun climbed over Jozef’s sprawled body and tucked herself into his side. She was about to close her eyes when she realized he was signing… or trying too.

She propped herself up and watched until she finally caught what he was saying.

She smiled down at him and whispered, “You’re the best thing that ever happened to me, too.”

She reached out to shut the lamp off, tucked herself back in and fell asleep to the sound of Jozef’s drunken snores.

Chapter Forty-One

Shaun slipped from the bed, pulling on a fluffy bathrobe provided by their hosts as she hurried to the door. She didn’t want the knocking to wake Jozef, though he was sleeping heavily, snoring loud enough to wake the recently departed.

With a hand at the top of her robe, she opened the door.

“Yes?” she asked sleepily.

“Your morning repast, Mrs. Koba.” A servant spoke in halting English, waving toward a cart with covered trays.

Shaun stepped back so he could wheel the cart inside.

He placed the covered trays, a pot of coffee, cream and sugar on the small table next to windows with panoramic views of the rear mansion park. Shaun could definitely get used to this kind of service.

“This is for you, ma’am.” The servant held a card out to Shaun.

Shaun sat at the table, opening the envelope, her curiosity peaked.

It was an invitation, quite fancy, considering the contents. It was written in English, in sprawling calligraphy.

Mrs. Koba,

Please allow me the pleasure of hosting you for tea in my private suite at 11:00 AM. You will be treated with the utmost respect. Kindly send your response with Philip.

Your friend,

Ivan Siberia

The invitation was clear that only Shaun was being invited to meet with the highest man in the Bratva organization. She glanced at the bedroom, wondering what she should do. She’d promised Jozef she wouldn’t keep any more secrets from him, but she didn’t think the invitation was one she should decline. She wished she could talk to Jozef before deciding.

Shaun looked at the servant. “Philip?”

At his nod, she handed him the invitation. “Please tell Mr. Siberia that I would be delighted to meet with him.”

Shaun took her time showering, dressing and snacking off the tray Philip had left for her. There were plates of fresh fruit, whipping cream, and chocolate pudding.

After she finished eating and grooming, she curled up in the chair by the window with a stack of files she’d snuck in her purse. Jozef had told her she wasn’t allowed to work, that she must consider their time in Russia to be a vacation.

Jozef was starting to understand that if given the opportunity, she would always choose work. She found perusing images of brain tumours relaxing. Her quick mind immediately set to work trying to figure out how to extract the mass.

One at a time she went through the files until she hit upon the one she would take as her next surgical candidate. She read through it thoroughly and then reached for her cell phone to text Elisa with confirmation. Then she remembered her phone had been taken.

Damn it, they were going to be in Russia for four more days. Could she go that long without her phone? She was already getting withdrawal from a lack of spider solitaire. She wondered if she would be shot by the big Russian guards who she’d seen patrolling the estate if she tried to break her phone out of wherever it was being held hostage. Maybe she should negotiate with Ivan Siberia for her phone. She was willing to do a lot to get her hands on the device.

Speaking of Mr. Ivan Siberia… she glanced at the ornate clock on the wall. Assuming it was correct, she was expected in his suite in five minutes.

Shaun walked gingerly into the bedroom where Jozef was still sprawled out on the bed. The blanket had slipped off and he was gloriously naked. Her eyes immediately went to his still-impressive-while-flaccid cock. She glanced down at the pile of clothes next to the bed. He must’ve woken up enough at some point to take them off.

“Jozef,” she whispered, approaching the bed. She chewed her lip.

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