Sin of Silence (Sinner's Empire Book 1)

by Nikita Slater

  Unable to read the books, Shaun settled herself on the couch in front of the TV. She picked up the remote and began flipping through channels. Even if she couldn't understand what the characters were saying, at least she would get some amusement from the action. She finally settled on an American drama that had been dubbed in another language.

  Half an hour later there was a knock on the door. Shaun barely had time to twist around on the couch before the door was being pushed open and a tray carried through. She got to her feet and stood awkwardly as a young woman carried the tray in.

  "Saskia," she said in surprise as she recognized Jozef's younger cousin, the one who hadn't warmed up to her. Although, after yesterday's debacle, the older cousin, Leeza, might hate her now too. The memory of the other woman holding a gun on Shaun made her shudder.

  Saskia dropped the tray on a table behind the couch, making the cutlery rattle. The girl stepped back and looked around as though she'd never been in Jozef’s suite before. For all Shaun knew, she hadn't. Jozef seemed like a private man, not a person who entertained in his private suite.

  "Pretty sweet place,” Saskia drawled, running her hand over the back of the plush leather couch.

  "Never been here before?" Shaun asked dryly, picking up a plate of buttered toast and carrying it back to the couch where she sat down again.

  Saskia shrugged. "Jozef doesn't entertain much."

  "What are you doing here?" Shaun asked bluntly. "I didn't take you for someone who appreciated serving duties."

  Saskia wrinkled her nose and dropped onto the couch beside Shaun. She reached out and snatched a half piece of toast from Shaun’s plate. Shaun raised an eyebrow. She hadn’t realized they were at the food-sharing stage of their relationship yet. Though Jozef was considered the feral dog of the family, his younger cousin certainly knew how to act like one too.

  "I wanted to see how you're doing," she said casually. "I heard you spent the night out in the shed. That's pretty badass. You know how many people spend the night in the shed and come out alive?"

  Shaun shook her head. "How many?"

  Saskia swallowed the last of her toast and licked her fingers. "I don't actually know, but I would guess not many. I've definitely never seen a woman taken out to the shed."

  "I guess I'm lucky then." Shaun was having trouble keeping the sarcasm from her voice.

  "You are lucky," Saskia insisted earnestly. "After the move you pulled in the store yesterday, I thought for sure my dad would make Jozef get rid of you."

  Both women fell silent as they contemplated what ‘getting rid of’ meant.

  "It was a pretty badass move trying to run from the guards." Saskia glanced slyly at Shaun. "Didn't think you had it in you. You're so quiet, so compliant. I honestly thought you were just gonna settle into things and go with the flow. You proved us wrong."

  "Don't sound so happy," Shaun said sarcastically, eating another piece of toast.

  Saskia twisted around and reached over the back of the couch, digging through Shaun’s lunch. She turned back around with a piece of bacon clutched in her hand. "I am happy. Life can be pretty boring around here, but I suspect you're not as boring as you seem."

  Shaun shook her head. "I really don't know what to say to that."

  Saskia shrugged as though she didn't know what to say either. She ate her piece of bacon and licked her fingers. "I heard you're going out to the club tonight. You going to wear that dress that you tried on yesterday? The one you wore home?” She snickered.

  "I hadn't really thought about it," Shaun admitted.

  Saskia bounced excitedly on the couch. "You totally should. Not only will you look amazing, but you're gonna make all those club bitches green with jealousy. The ones who treat my cousin like shit but would still fuck him if he looked at them twice."

  Shaun stared at Saskia silently. Now she really didn't know what to say. She didn't know why any woman would treat Jozef badly, other than his tendency toward kidnapping, and she really didn't want to hear about him fucking other women. She didn't want to examine why she didn't want to listen to that sort of thing too closely, but she knew that it made something inside her burn with jealousy.

  Unable to remain silent, Shaun asked, “What other women?"

  "The club whores,” Saskia said with an evil grin. “The hotties who hang out there in hopes of catching the eye of one of the Koba boys. They're looking for a good time, drugs, gifts, that sort of thing. They want to get set up in an apartment, be the arm candy.”

  “Koba boys?”

  Saskia nodded. “Yeah, Jozef and his team. You know, Halil, Havel, Terek, Nikolay. Even Karl gets attention, and he’s like, old. Basically, anyone who lives or works with us is considered cool by association.”

  “And these club… women…" Shaun said tentatively, refusing to say the word 'whore' in relation to another woman. “They want Jozef?"

  "They want Jozef's money," Saskia clarified. "They want nothing to do with his disability and everything to do with the cash he rakes in for my dad. He's damn good at his job and they know it. They flock to him because he's the baddest bad boy in town and because he can set them up real sweet. But most of them treat him like crap behind his back, tease him because he can't talk."

  Shaun appreciated that Saskia was standing up for her cousin. "Ability. Your cousin has a different ability, not a disability. The way he communicates, it’s unique and special. It's not a disability, but something to celebrate."

  Saskia laughed sharply. "Look at the chick who tried to run away defending my cousin. Cute. You can keep your lecture to yourself. I'll be the first to get in line to cut any bitch who treats my cousin wrong."

  Though she was positive the comment wasn't directed at her, Shaun made a mental note never to treat Jozef wrong in front of Saskia. Especially if she was holding a knife.

  "Are you coming to the club?" Shaun asked tentatively. Though Saskia wasn't exactly an ally yet, she would be a familiar face in an unfamiliar situation. Not only had Shaun never been to the so-called club, but she rarely went to clubs at all. She despised high heels, loud music, and sweaty, pawing, drunken dancers.

  Saskia shook her head. "No, my parents don't like me going. They think I'm too young."

  Shaun took an extra hard look at Saskia. The girl had a sophisticated air about her; a hard shell cultivated over years of wealth and being part of a crime family. Her attitude made her seem older than she probably was.

  "How old are you?"

  “Seventeen,” Saskia said breezily.

  "You’re definitely too young to go to the club," Shaun said with a frown.

  Saskia rolled her eyes. "I shot a guy once. I figure that makes me old enough for this sort of thing, but since my family owns the club, the bouncers know better than to let me in without permission."

  "Shot a guy?" Shaun asked faintly.

  Saskia smirked. "Yeah, he got a little too handsy on a first date and my dad taught me never to put up with bullshit. I only put a bullet through his hand to remind him where he should keep them."

  Once again, Shaun decided that this girl should probably be treated with respect.

  Saskia winked at her and stood, wiping the crumbs from her toast off her jeans. She made her way toward the door, then stopped and turned back to look Shaun over one last time.

  "Wear the silver dress." She cocked her head to the side. “And a pair of very high heels to add to the height you already have. Nothing else. No jewelry and minimal makeup. The mystery of you is going to drive the club whores insane.”

  Saskia left, closing the door firmly behind her.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Shaun was escorted to the club by the same guards who’d escorted her to the shops the day before. She smiled warmly at Karl as he held the door open.

  Before going inside, she stopped to ask him anxiously, “Did you get in trouble for my escape attempt yesterday?"

  He looked surprised at her concern. "No, ma'am. Your attempt was just that, an attem
pt. It was expected that you would try to leave us, so we were prepared for anything."

  She nodded sadly. "I see, so I was always doomed to failure."

  He patted her arm and tipped his head toward the vehicle, indicating that she should get inside. Before he closed the door, he said, “Don't let it bother you. The family surrounds themselves with more security than the Queen of England. Not even Houdini would be able to get out."

  The door closed on his words and Shaun was left wondering if she felt comforted or even more terrified. She'd only been with the family for a few days, but already she was realizing that, unless something drastic happened, she would need to reconcile herself to the fact that this was her future.

  Not a pleasant thought. Shaun had too much to live for, too many things she wanted to do with her life. Becoming the wife of a violent mafia enforcer was not one of her goals. Though Jozef intrigued her, there could be no future for the two of them. She had to find a way out.

  The vehicle wound its way down the long driveway and out to the highway where it would take her to the club. She knew nothing about the club other than the family owned it and several women interested in Jozef frequented the place. She was given the impression that the Kobas also did business there, so she wasn't sure what to expect.

  Jozef had gone on ahead, saying that he had business in the city before he could meet her at the club. In a way, she was grateful. Jozef messed with her equilibrium, made her head fuzzy. What she knew to be true, that he was a violent killer, became less important when he was near her. There was so much more to him and she was tempted to explore.

  Twenty minutes later they arrived at the club. Shaun shifted to the other side of the vehicle and looked up at the building. It was an old four-story brick and marble complex. Similar to the buildings surrounding it, but with a modern and edgy sign announcing that she had arrived at Zmatek.

  When Karl opened her door, she asked him what it meant.

  “It means chaos.” He looked up at the brightly lit sign. “Anarchy.”

  Another reminder of how different her world was from Jozef’s. He embraced a life without restrictions, giving himself god-like decision-making power. Her presence in his life was the perfect example. He’d had to make a decision between keeping her alive and forcing her to marry him or putting a bullet in her head.

  Karl reached a hand out and she took it gratefully, allowing him to help her slide out of the vehicle onto the sidewalk. She wobbled for a few seconds on the four-inch strappy silver sandals that Saskia had sent to her room for her. It was a surprising gift; one that Shaun wasn't positive she was grateful for yet.

  The heels looked gorgeous but felt like spiky death traps on Shaun's feet. She took several deep breaths while Karl patiently waited for her to figure herself out. Once she was certain she wasn't going to fall over, Shaun reached back into the vehicle for her sparkly silver clutch purse and then headed toward the club with a three-man security detail surrounding her. She felt like a movie star who didn’t want the attention. Everyone in the long club line turned to watch her as they made their way up the stone stairs.

  Shaun paused next to the door where the bouncer was checking his notes, but Karl took Shaun's arm and tugged her inside without looking at the bouncer. The bouncers respectfully stepped out of the way for Shaun's entourage.

  "Wow, I've never felt so important," she said dryly as they walked past the hostess, who bowed her head respectfully, her curious gaze on Shaun as they headed toward the club floor. "I don't even get VIP parking at the hospital in Montréal and I’m head of the neurology department.”

  Karl chuckled and looked as though he was about to speak, but his eyes caught on something just beyond the doorway where they were standing. His face straightened and he stiffened, stepping away from Shaun and dropping his hand from her arm.

  She looked over her shoulder and caught sight of Jozef, making his way through a crowd of people toward her. She turned to watch him approach, absorbing everything about him. His long graceful steps, smooth and confident. He was wearing tailored suit pants but instead of a suit jacket he was wearing his leather jacket. The collar was open at his tattooed throat and he wore no tie. She couldn't help herself, her gaze trailed up and down his body, lingering on his strong hands and the cords of his throat, where the tiny scar became visible as he approached.

  Shaun couldn't help it; a smile stretched her lips and she stepped forward to greet him. Instead of greeting her though, he gripped her arm and turned her so quickly she stumbled on her heels. As she caught herself, she straightened and realized that he was signing at her security team.

  This dress is not appropriate. You should not have allowed her to come here like this. Everyone is looking at her.

  Shaun frowned and glanced over her shoulder, worried that maybe she was underdressed. She quickly dismissed the thought though. The dress she was wearing was revealing, but not more so than any other in the room. In fact, she rather thought her dress was perfectly appropriate in a room filled with glitz and glamour where the patrons oozed sex.

  She tugged on Jozef’s arm. "I don't see the problem." She waved her hand toward the other people in the club. "I'm just the same as anyone else here."

  You are not the same, and this dress is indecent. I will be speaking to my cousins for allowing this purchase.

  His frown lingered on her plunging neckline where the shimmering silver stood out in startling contrast next to her rich ebony skin. She realized what his problem was. Jealousy. He didn't want anyone else to see her dressed that way. A glow lit within her and she softened toward him… just a little.

  She tugged her arm from his grip and laid her hand on top of his, squeezing lightly. "I feel good in this dress, Jozef. I've worn scrubs for my entire adult life, please let me have this little bit of glamour."

  His lake-blue eyes held hers. She saw the softening in them and knew that she had him. He placed his hand over top of hers where it rested on his arm and escorted her deeper into the club. Shaun was not prepared for all the eyes that turned toward them, burning curiosity in most of their depths, outright hostility in others.

  She clung tightly to Jozef and followed him as they weaved their way through the throng of people. He didn't pause, though a few called out to him, trying to get him to stop. Shaun glanced around, but Jozef’s grip was tight and he moved at a dizzying pace. They continued together up a set of short stairs which led into the VIP area. Long royal blue velvet curtains were tied back, revealing several tables.

  Jozef waved Shaun toward a booth and she slid in, grateful to get off her feet. It was a miracle she hadn't fallen on her face in front of everyone.

  The waitress sashayed her way up the steps and into the VIP area. "What can I get for you?" she asked coolly, her eyes on Shaun.

  Shaun glanced around and saw that Jozef already had a drink at the table. He must've arrived well before she did.

  "I'll have a glass of wine." Shaun didn't drink often, and she never went to clubs, so she had no idea what kind of drink was appropriate for a place like this.

  Apparently, she’d said the wrong thing. The waitress narrowed her eyes at Shaun and said coldly, “There are many wines available, ma’am. You must choose one.”

  "I don't know." Shaun glanced around as though a menu would jump out at her. She was so far out of her depth that she had no idea what to do. What varieties of wine did they have in the Czech Republic? The same as the ones in Canada? Not that that would help her much. She tended to buy the cheap red ones, regardless of what variety they were. Sometimes she liked them, sometimes she didn't, but there was no rhyme or reason to her choices in wine.

  Before she could answer, or before the waitress could say anything else snarky, Jozef’s hand came down on the table so hard both women jumped. Some of the liquid in his drink spilled over the side onto his hand, but he ignored it. He snapped his fingers and pointed at the waitress, tiny droplets of liquor flying, his glare speaking for him. He wasn't pleased wit
h the way she was treating his fiancé.

  The waitress’s expression shifted rapidly into one of pleasant contrition. She kept her gaze on the floor as she spoke, her tone marginally warmer. “We have a lovely burgundy, direct from the region in France. I think you'll like it."

  "Sure, I'll take that." Shaun hoped that nothing terrible found its way into her wine. The whole exchange was making her uncomfortable.

  When the waitress left, she took the unpleasant atmosphere with her, leaving Jozef and Shaun in a bubble of their own. Shaun was hyperaware of Jozef at her side, his thigh touching hers, his long, capable fingers tapping the edge of his glass. He lifted a finger to his lips and sucked the alcohol from it. A warm tingle started in her belly as her gaze traced the move.

  Shaun jerked her eyes away from him, blushing. The things she was feeling for him were very inconvenient. She needed to remember that she was dealing with a murderer, a man who’d pressed a gun against her head repeatedly. He was muddying the waters of her conscience by doing things for her, like sleeping with her in the prison cell, buying her a new wardrobe, dressing her up and bringing her to an exclusive club. Normally, these things would not turn Shaun's head, but she knew that Jozef wasn't doing them to impress anyone. He was doing them because he wanted to.

  She sensed a feral beast lurking just below the surface of the man sitting next to her. For some reason it was the darkness in him that was calling to her just as much as the moments where he was sweet with her. It was the blend of the two that made her sit up and take notice. Jozef could kill in an instant with no remorse, but then curl up next to her while she was being punished because she might get cold.

  In an effort to keep her thoughts away from their current path, she turned her gaze on the club itself, taking in and absorbing the opulence. Everything inside was glittering and gold: the tables, the chairs, the ceiling, the columns. It was beautiful, but so far over the top that Shaun couldn't even imagine how much it cost to build the place.