Sin of Silence (Sinner's Empire Book 1)
Page 20
Shaun glanced at the serving table, shrugged and decided to leave the decision of its placement to Dasha. Instead, she went back to Jozef’s apartment where she could have a few minutes alone, making a detour into the kitchen to grab a snack. Munching on a handful of nuts and raisins, she nodded at the man guarding Jozef’s door. He unlocked and opened it for her.
She wasn’t thrilled with the presence of security on the door, but she’d kept her discontent to herself. She wasn’t sure if security had been stationed there before her arrival or if it was special for her. She didn’t particularly care. She’d decided that escaping from the mansion directly would be impossible anyway. She’d have to wait until she was in the city and an opportunity presented itself.
She was surprised to find Jozef standing in their bedroom with his back to her as she entered. She stopped, feeling awkward. Though they slept in the same bed and made wild passionate love to each other, she couldn’t seem to look him in the eye in the light of day without blushing. When he turned to look at her, the awkwardness melted away. It was impossible not to feel wanted when his eyes glowed with sexual tension and possessiveness. His expression took her breath away.
Jozef lifted his hand and crooked a finger at her, telling her to come to him. Shaun hesitated, knowing she should resist the insane lure of their combined chemistry. She was helpless though. Jozef was everything she should despise. He was a criminal, a killer, a kidnapper, and the list could easily go on, but he was also everything she wanted. He was tough, sexy, and intelligent. His desire for her was an aphrodisiac she couldn’t ignore.
Before she could make up her mind, Jozef crossed the room to her, his gaze intent. She watched him, her eyes widening as he reached for her. He dragged her against his chest and kissed her. Not a kiss of greeting, but one of passion, one of possession. He was staking his claim.
It took only seconds before Shaun was lost to the pressure of his lips on hers, the aggressive thrust of his tongue and the sweep of his hands over her back, holding her and feeling her at the same time. She held him, pressing her body against his, inhaling his incredible masculine scent. It sent every thought fleeing from her brain until all she wanted to do was keep her lips pressed to his and spend the day smelling him.
Finally, Jozef broke the kiss, but continued to hold Shaun, pushing her back only far enough to lift his hands between them.
I want to take you out into the city, he signed. Will you come with me?
Was he asking? So far, asking her permission for anything hadn’t been a strong point in their budding relationship.
“Okay,” she said carefully.
He shook his head and grabbed hold of her wrists, holding them aloft and wiggling them. Shaun laughed and nodded her understanding. She signed, what are we going to do in the city?
His deep blue eyes held hers in thrall and she had to force herself to drop her gaze so she could concentrate on his hands. I want us to start over. I want you to get to know me…. He paused, as if thinking about what he wanted to say. Finally, he decided to go with blunt. I want you to forget the Luhansk hospital, forget what I did to you, forget the guns. Get to know me, I think you’ll learn to like me.
That’s what Shaun was afraid of, because it was happening already. The more she got to know Jozef, the more she liked him, and the more she was willing to compromise her values for just a few more hours and days with him. She knew deep down that eventually she would have to extricate herself, go home and pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Sadly, it wasn’t the trauma of her kidnapping and subsequent events that would occupy her thoughts for years to come, it was the loss of Jozef. An enigmatic man, determined to marry his witness, thus saving her life.
Yes, let’s go into the city, she signed. I could use a night away from party planning.
Jozef flashed her a look of simple pleasure. He was pleased that she agreed to his plan without a fight.
Do I need to change? she asked.
He looked her over and shook his head. You’re perfect the way you are.
Chapter Thirty
Security hovered around the couple as they made their way through Prague. Jozef took Shaun to wander down by the beautiful Vltava river and visit nearby tourist sites. He touched her as often as he could, his caresses gentle and solicitous, never crossing the line into darker territory. When he wasn’t touching her, he was signing rapidly, giving her information about the sites they were visiting, telling her anecdotes of his youth and guiding her through a city steeped in history.
It was an exciting opportunity for a person from Canada, a relatively young country where history could only go back so far. Jozef showed her St. George’s Basilica at Prague castle. Built in 920 it was one of the oldest churches in the Czech Republic. As they walked the castle grounds, Jozef pointed at a huge golden chapel, St. Vitus Cathedral, its grand architecture breathtaking as the sun lit up its gold turrets. Shaun watched his hands as he explained, my aunt and uncle were married in this church. It was one of the last weddings performed here. Now it is a tourist attraction, though there is still the occasional service.
Shaun asked, were you born yet when they married?
He nodded. I was a child, too young for the event, but my parents attended.
She wanted to ask about his parents but didn’t know how to broach the subject. Based on some of the gossip she’d heard around the mansion and knowing that Jozef was raised by his aunt and uncle, she guessed that there was a story behind their deaths.
Next, Jozef took her to a restaurant. At first, Shaun was hesitant, as it was clearly a high-end restaurant, probably more extravagant than any restaurant Shaun had ever been in, and she was wearing a pair of jeans, a light pink blouse and a patterned scarf. Jozef didn’t seem to care about a dress code though. He walked confidently up to the host with his hand firmly wrapped around Shaun’s.
“Ah, Mr. Koba, we have your table ready. Please follow me.”
The host turned and weaved his way between tables to the back corner where a table was set aside. He pulled out the chair for Shaun as she sat down and reached to place a cloth napkin over her lap. Jozef caught the napkin, tugging it away from the man and waving him away. Jozef smoothed the napkin over Shaun’s lap while she blushed at the small intimacy.
“Do you come here often?” Shaun asked, taking a gulp of her water to chill her burning cheeks. What she really wanted to know was if he brought dates here often, but she wasn’t willing to ask that question.
Jozef frowned and tapped her arm impatiently. Speak to me in our language, he signed, then he answered her question. I’ve been here only a few times. My uncle owns the place and this table belongs to the family. He likes to bring Aunt Dasha here.
Shaun was happy that she had nothing to be jealous about, but then gave her head a small shake. She didn’t have any business being jealous about anything related to Jozef, let alone his past conquests. What was wrong with her? She never cared about this sort of thing. Never became possessive of a man, especially one she knew wasn’t good for her.
To distract from the moment, she asked, so your uncle owns both the restaurant and the club?
Jozef shook his head while signing, no, my uncle owns this restaurant and several other local businesses. I own the club.
Shaun was surprised. The Koba clan tended to think in terms of family, not individuals, so she assumed the club was family owned. Why do you own the club?
He shrugged. It was a good investment opportunity. There’s no point in having a fortune if you don’t spend it.
Shaun knew enough about the mob to understand that they often owned businesses to funnel dirty money through, making it legitimate. She didn’t suppose Jozef would explain the process to her.
Their waiter approached the table, beaming obsequiously at Jozef. “Sir, we have informed the chef of your presence and he respectfully requests that you allow him to prepare a menu for you and your…” His gaze slid to Shaun. She didn’t know what to say but was saved having
to clarify her status in Jozef’s life when his second-in-command, Havel, appeared from out of the shadows.
“Dr. Patterson is Mr. Koba’s fiancé,” he said coolly, his gaze fixed somewhere past the waiter’s shoulder. “She must be treated with the same respect as any member of the Koba family.”
“Of course, sir,” the waiter agreed, his gaze falling to Shaun. “My apologies, Ms. Patterson.”
“Dr. Patterson,” she corrected. She’d learned long ago to take pride in the title she’d achieved. It was her opinion that women were told to be humble, and that it was bragging to lay claim to their achievements. Shaun thought it was bullshit. Women needed to embrace their achievements and tell the world about them.
“Dr. Patterson,” the waiter repeated. “Would you like something to drink?”
Shaun decided a chilled white wine would be perfect after a few hours of doing the tourist thing at Jozef’s side. The waiter suggested a New Zealand Chardonnay and Shaun agreed. He didn’t ask Jozef for his drink order and Shaun assumed he already knew it.
When the waiter left, Havel melted back into the shadows. It occurred to Shaun that she hadn’t noticed Jozef’s security team follow them into the restaurant. They fit seamlessly into the background, moving with the crowds and making themselves scarce unless needed. She glanced around, attempting to spot more of them, but saw no one she recognized.
Shaun signed to Jozef, using his preferred method of communication, your men are very good at their job, aren’t they? I know they were with us, but they’re almost impossible to spot.
Jozef nodded, his eyes glowing in warmth over her use of sign language.
Yes, they are always near. I will not take chances with your protection; you will be escorted at all times.
She shook her head. I’m not used to this kind of protection. I never needed it before.
His eyes bored into hers, his expression becoming deadly serious. Yes, you did. I was able to take you right out of a hospital that should have been safe for you.
A chill ran through Shaun as she was reminded once more that she was in the presence of a criminal. He refused to let her forget it yet seemed determined to show her another side to him. A more human side. The dichotomy confused her, made her want to put more distance between them.
“Excuse me,” she whispered, pushing herself back from the table. “I… I need to use the washroom.” It was the same tactic she’d used in the club, but if it worked, why mess with a good thing? She needed space and she needed it now.
Jozef captured her wrist before she could leave the table and gave her a penetrating look. She read what he wanted to know in his gaze. It amazed her how expressive he could be. Before she’d marvelled at how much he was able to hide for a man whose primary method of communication was signing. Now he was giving her the opposite, he was forcing his expressions to do the talking when sign language wasn’t enough.
“I’ll be okay,” she told him, unable to hide her vulnerability. “I just need a minute.”
He nodded, but held her hand for a moment longer, finally pressing a lingering kiss to the back before releasing her. Shaun pressed her hand against her thigh, savouring the burn of his kiss on her flesh.
She realized about halfway to the washroom that a man was trailing her. When she glanced over her shoulder, she recognized Halil. She nodded in acknowledgement and continued on her path. Jozef hadn’t been lying, his men were to follow her everywhere she went. On the surface she’d known this would happen, had seen other members of the family arrange their security when they left the house. But this wasn’t her world and she couldn’t imagine herself living it forever. She was still the ambitious doctor fighting for a residency in a busy Montréal hospital.
She shoved open the washroom door and reached for the counter, breathing as though she’d run a marathon when all she’d really done was cross a room. She stared at her face in the mirror, devoid of makeup but flushed with emotion.
“What are you doing?” she whispered to herself.
She knew what she was doing, and she knew why it was so terrifying. She was crossing over into their world, beginning to accept the things her kidnappers were telling her as her new reality. She did belong to their family now; she was engaged to Jozef Koba and the life she once knew and loved was over.
“No,” she said firmly to her reflection. “This isn’t me; I’m not one of them and I don’t have Stockholm.”
But she knew she was exhibiting textbook symptoms. She was genuinely sympathetic to her captors and didn’t want to see them harmed, despite the ongoing danger to herself. She was forming an emotional bond with Jozef that was growing tighter with each physical encounter. Every time he touched her, he sent her hormones into a tizzy until she couldn’t think straight.
“It’s just oxytocin telling you that you have feelings for him,” she told herself. “Get a grip, oxytocin is a lying bastard and you know it.”
A woman chose that moment to walk into the washroom. She gave Shaun a half-smile before choosing one of the stalls. The washroom was large, with spacious stalls which were completely enclosed in frosted glass paneling that allowed the occupants privacy. Shaun took advantage of her own few minutes of privacy by splashing water on her face, washing her hands and drying them with a paper towel.
Feeling slightly better, she made her way back to her table, ignoring Halil who shadowed her every step. As she sat down, she was able to smile at Jozef. She felt more normal, more herself, some of her confusion ebbing. Life wasn’t black and white but filled with grey shadows. It wasn’t such a surprise that she liked her captors. They presented themselves as a normal, albeit very wealthy, family, with all the accompanying family issues. Shaun could relate to them on some level and it made her feel sympathetic toward them. That didn’t mean she had Stockholm. She could and would leave when the timing was right.
Shaun and Jozef had a pleasant meal, conversing entirely in sign language until their food arrived. Jozef regaled Shaun with more anecdotes about Prague, his childhood and his travels. Under his uncle’s patronage, Jozef travelled the world with his team, doing odd jobs and ensuring lucrative business for the Kobas. While he didn’t go into great detail, he gave Shaun enough of a picture that she understood their reach was far and wide, spanning the world over, including Canada, where the Kobas had shares in lumber.
They stopped talking when their food came, falling into a companionable silence.
The chef had prepared a tomato bisque soup to start, followed by thin slices of prime rib served over horseradish mashed potatoes with grilled asparagus spears on the side. It was a simple dish, but one of the best things Shaun had ever eaten. Each bite was an orgasmic experience in her mouth, and she couldn’t help moaning out loud.
When she looked up, both Halil and the waiter were watching her with fixed expressions, Jozef with a scowl. Halil was the first to look away when Havel smacked him in the head, while Jozef turned the heat of his annoyed stare on the waiter who rushed to apologize.
When Jozef’s gaze swung round to meet hers, the ice in his eyes melted away, leaving his expression warm and glowing once more. He hadn’t minded the way she was acting, but he didn’t like the men surrounding them to watch.
He was jealous, Shaun realized.
It wasn’t the first indication she had that he was jealous, but before she’d chalked up his behaviour to protectiveness. He'd wanted to protect his family name and his reputation from gossip and wanted to make sure Shaun was treated with respect. Now she wasn’t so sure. His glares and growls felt more personal. As though he wanted to shield her personally from all other men and the world surrounding them.
It was a fanciful thought, one she reminded herself she shouldn’t be having. Jozef had about as much business being jealous over her as she had of being jealous of his other women. They’d barely known each other a few weeks. He didn’t even know who she was before kidnapping her, which meant he had nothing to be jealous about.
They finished their
meal and waited silently as the dishes were taken away. Jozef asked Shaun if she was satisfied and she smiled at him, rubbing her belly. “That was wonderful, I’d love to come back here sometime.”
We will, I’ll make sure of it, he answered.
Shaun was beginning to feel sleepy. Are we going home soon?
Soon. He looked at her enigmatically. I have something to show you first.
He led Shaun from the restaurant without paying and she assumed either one of his men would pay or he didn’t have to because his family owned the restaurant. It was a weird feeling, leaving without paying. She felt like a dine-n-dasher.
Jozef threaded his fingers through hers and together they walked through the brightly lit downtown Prague. When Shaun shivered, Jozef dragged her into the nearest store, a leather boutique, and purchased a jacket for her. She was stunned when in the space of five minutes he bought her a $500 jacket so she would be warm as they continued meandering through Prague.
They walked through Old Town, toward the famous Charles Bridge. Shaun was awed by the beautiful architecture as they took the path onto the bridge. About halfway across, Jozef stopped. Shaun looked at him curiously. He nodded toward the direction they’d come from and she dutifully looked. The buildings lining the street next to the river glowed a warm yellow from the streetlights. The river itself shone in the inky darkness, shifting and sparkling, giving the impression of life as it flowed lazily through the downtown core.
Shaun sighed happily, acknowledging to herself that she would never have enjoyed this sight if Jozef hadn’t brought her to Prague. She told herself it was okay to enjoy the simple pleasure of a stunning view as long as she never lost sight of her reality. She glanced to the side to find Jozef’s gaze on her face, his expression wistful, as though he felt the magic of the evening too. She couldn’t see what was going on in his brain, but she read admiration in his eyes. She couldn’t help but lift her lips in a smile.