Page 95 of Goodnight, Sinners

“So I’ve been told,” she murmured, bringing her teacup to her lips with a shaking hand.

“You survived.” He didn’t sound either approving or disapproving, and Shaun wondered where the direction of the conversation was going. “You were poisoned, and you survived. You were attacked, stabbed, and you survived. Your husband was attacked, many within the building fell, yet you still survived.”

A chill ran through Shaun and she felt nauseous. She desperately wished she’d told Jozef where she was going. Was Ivan angry over the deaths that seemed to follow Shaun? Did he blame her for what happened to Krystoff?

She didn’t know what to say to Ivan, but he’d paused, seeming to expect some kind of response. “Yes, I survived.”

“You are a survivor, Dr. Patterson, and you are a very skilled surgeon, which makes you an asset to my organization.”

It was the first time he’d acknowledged her profession.

Again, she didn’t know what to say, so she remained silent.

“I have had my people look into you.” His gaze was sharp, his words sharper, though his body appeared frail. It was such a strange juxtaposition that Shaun was forced to rethink the way she looked at the mafia being full of raw male machismo. She would bet her stethoscope this man had never made a hot-headed decision in his life. He’d coldly, calculatingly made his way to the top of the Bratva, shaping its future along the way.

“What did they find?” she asked coolly, setting her tea cup down on a side table and clasping her hands in her lap to stop the shaking. If he could sound strong but appear fragile, then so could she.

He leaned forward in his chair, pushing it down with his legs. “You are at the top of your field. Unparalleled in skill and intelligence. You are at the head of innovative technological medicine.”

Shaun sucked in a breath. “That’s flattering, but hardly true. I share the field with many skilled surgeons.”

“Humbleness has no place here,” he told her sharply. “This is a warning. You are among the wealthiest and deadliest people in the world. Do not misstep by trying to fade into the background. Make yourself indispensable to the Bratva and your position will remain secure.”

“It’s not now?” she couldn’t help the quiver in her voice.

“It is not,” he said bluntly. “Your husband has long been admired by the Bratva. If he hadn’t found his way to the top of the Koba food chain, we would have found a way to get him there.”

Shaun wondered how they would have gone about that, but then shoved the thought away. She didn’t need to know, and it was a hypothetical since Jozef had the position.

“You, however,” Ivan continued, “have become a concern. A witness who was allowed to live, now a wife who pursues a high-profile, highly competitive profession. We rarely allow our women to take positions of power. For good reason, they could become targets. If your existence is not known, or if you remain hidden, you will not be in danger.”

Shaun nodded, and unable to help herself, cut in, “Mr. Siberia, while I appreciate your concern, I have worked in war zones on multiple occasions. While I admit, being shot at isn’t my favourite past-time, I can handle myself.”

He stared at her, a chill in his gaze. “I am aware of your work history, Mrs. Koba.”

“Sorry,” she mumbled, feeling chastened. She wasn’t entirely sure why, or where their conversation was going, but she could shut up long enough to hear an old man out.

“As I said, I would like to consider you an asset.” He stared at her; his words heavy in the air between them. “I would like to know where you stand now, Mrs. Koba. Are you an asset or are you a victim?”

Shaun didn’t need to think about it. She lifted her chin. “I am an asset, of course.”

“Excellent.” His face smoothed into more pleasant lines as he waved her toward the coffee table again. “Please take the two files on the table. Read the first and tell me what you see.”

She picked up the first file and flipped through, realizing right away it was medical records. There was no name attached, but a glance gave her the age, which left her with the assumption it must be Ivan Siberia’s medical history.

She relaxed into the couch as she read and looked at images. The file was surprisingly complete considering she’d only just met the man. He was being forthcoming with her so she would be forthcoming with him.

“You have colorectal cancer. You were diagnosed two years ago, went through five rounds of radiation therapy and one surgery to remove a section of your intestine. The cancer has returned and now…” she drifted off as she flipped through the images and notes, “Your doctor says you have less than six months.”

“Would you agree?” Ivan asked curiously, without a note of fear or censure in his voice.

She shook her head. “Given your age and current liver and kidney functions, I would revise that down to two to three months.”

He sucked in a breath, showing that he was rattled for the first time since they began their conversation.

“Thank you for your honesty.”

Shaun watched him, making sure he meant what he said and wasn’t threatening her.

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