Goodnight, Sinners (Sinner's Empire Book 3)

by Nikita Slater

  She was still nervous, but Jozef had assured her nothing would happen.

  “What if they don’t like me?” she’d asked, “I feel certain these are the type of people that get rid of someone they don’t like.”

  They will love you as much as I do. Be yourself and they won’t be able to resist falling in love.

  She snorted her skepticism. He made the Bratva sound like a bunch of easily won puppies. Still, his confidence bolstered her. Jozef wouldn’t take her into a pit of vipers if he thought she might get hurt. It was simply not within his DNA makeup. He was the family protector.

  An hour later they boarded Jozef’s private jet and settled in for the three-hour flight to Ivanov’s palace.

  Shaun twisted in her seat to see who would be accompanying them. Cooper was the first one to catch her eye. She wasn’t surprised to see her personal bodyguard; she rarely went anywhere without him. Only once in the past six months had Jozef recalled him to fill out his team for an out-of-country mission. Cooper had come home in high spirits and ready to resume his work with Shaun.

  She appreciated having a bodyguard who was also a friend. It had taken a few months, but finally Jozef was able to set aside his jealousy and forge a friendship with the other man.

  Shaun suspected it helped his ego that she had eyes for no one but her husband. Marriage suited both of them. She’d never put much stock in the piece of paper and vows that bound people, but there was something about having Jozef as her husband that just did it for her. He was handsome, driven, intelligent, creative and special.

  Next to Cooper was Ayaan.

  It had taken Shaun some time to warm up to the girl, especially when Jozef’s men had jokingly told her that the younger woman had once asked Jozef out. The two women had warily stayed out of each other’s way until a nasty cold had taken Cooper away from his bodyguard duties for a few days. Ayaan had been chosen to replace him.

  Shaun had thought the two women could continue their awkward avoidance dance. Ayaan had different plans. She’d insisted on having eyes on her principal at all times, except when Shaun needed to use the washroom.

  Shaun had been watching Grey’s Anatomy with a bowl of popcorn, crying her eyes out, when Ayaan had plopped onto the couch beside her, taken a handful of popcorn and proceeded to ask Shaun every medical question that popped into her head as the two women plowed through season six together.

  It helped that Saskia and Ayaan had become fast friends, shopping together and hanging out when Ayaan wasn’t working and Saskia wasn’t in class. It made sense. The two women were the same age and they had plenty in common. Shaun had felt a little left out but had gotten over it quickly.

  Once Shaun was past her jealousy, she was open to a friendship with the other women. It made life at the mansion easier to have friends.

  Fatima visited as often as she could, but she’d discovered a true joy in spending Jozef’s money and flying all over the world on his private jet. Once she’d agreed to a security detail, Jozef was more than happy to indulge his mother-in-law to her heart’s content.

  In short, life couldn’t be better.

  Shaun could never have imagined being in the position where she could have it all, but here she was, wife, doctor, daughter and friend. The only thing she was missing was a baby.

  She touched her fingertips to her stomach but quickly dropped them away when Jozef turned to hand her a cup of tea he’d requested from the flight attendant. She smiled her thanks, swallowing the lump in her throat. He always took care of her.

  She knew he was worried by their lack of pregnancy too, but he never gave a single indication. He was constantly supportive and reassuring. When she’d gone to the fertility clinic, after being referred by Elisa, who had become a great friend to her, Jozef had attended every appointment. He’d held her hand while Shaun went through a series of procedures.

  Jozef had gone through a few himself. As of yet, they had no answers. The specialist had told them to be patient. Had told them eight months wasn’t really long enough to tell if they could pregnant or not.

  Shaun couldn’t help but worry. She did her best to keep it from Jozef, who had enough on his plate without adding one more problem.

  Perhaps her lack of pregnancy was fate’s way of telling her they shouldn’t bring a child into the dangerous world of the Bratva. But no matter what she told herself, Shaun couldn’t seem to get her heart to agree. It felt like she carried a tiny hole in the organ, and it grew larger with each passing month, each period, each disappointment.

  She rolled her head to the side to watch Jozef. He was sitting with his ankle crossed at the knee, his laptop balancing on his legs, his gaze steady on whatever he was reading. He wore his glasses, which she thought were sexy as hell. She hadn’t known about them until one night, a few months ago, when he’d come to bed and settled against the covers, opening one of his Russian language books. He’d pulled a pair of glasses from his nightstand and put them on as if he’d done it every night since they met. Only he hadn’t.

  Shaun had immediately climbed on top of him and coaxed him to put his book down and leave his glasses on while she rode him.

  She’d later found out that he felt self-conscious wearing them. Although he didn’t consider his lack of voice to be a disability, he knew others thought that, and he didn’t want to give away another potential weakness.

  Shaun had teased him, saying that approximately thirteen percent of the adult population had eye troubles, but Jozef had been serious. He’d told her that a potential assassin would look at any weakness as an opportunity to take advantage. Jozef needed to portray strength, especially since he was master of his own section of the underworld, and everyone who knew of him knew he didn’t have a voice.

  She glanced at his screen and saw a spreadsheet open with columns of numbers that made no sense and a language she didn’t recognize. It amused her that half of Jozef’s job was business. It felt strange to her that the mafia crunched numbers and created business plans.

  Shaun pushed her seat back and grabbed the blanket Jozef had requested for her. She stared at him until the gentle hum of the aircraft lulled her into a nap.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Jozef woke Shaun shortly before the plane landed.

  She grumbled at him for making her sit up and put her seatbelt back on.

  “We’re on a private jet, I should be able to sleep through the landing.”

  You can sleep but you have to do it sitting up with your seatbelt on.

  “And my tray table in an upright and locked position. Blah, blah, blah. You own the aircraft, you can suspend a few of the rules.” She patted her hair, wincing when it felt as bad as she suspected it looked. That was the problem with wearing an afro. She had to have an emergency recovery effort whenever she slept. “I worked a twelve-hour shift at the hospital with four of those hours on my feet in surgery. I need to get my beauty sleep before I have to dodge mafia bullets.”

  Not funny, Jozef signed, pulling the blanket from her lap, folding it and setting it aside.

  She found it endearing that Jozef tended to be the more domestic of the two of them.

  I won’t compromise with your safety. You wear your seatbelt, you follow the rules, or I will take your driver’s license away.

  He’d returned her driver’s license to her and given her a car once she’d settled into a routine at the hospital. As long as she promised to have a contingent of bodyguards on her tail and Cooper in the car with her, he was fine with her driving. Shaun loved to drive and did it like she performed surgery: with precision, by her own rules, and creatively when necessary.

  I don’t know what my driver’s license has to do with not wanting to wake up until we’ve landed. Now that she was waking up, she switched to signing. These days she signed more than spoke, though she often caught herself doing both depending on who they were with.

  If you won’t wear your seatbelt on an airplane, then I can’t trust you to wear one in the car.
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br />   “That’s bullshit and you know it,” she grumbled.

  He leaned over and kissed her scowl away. When he continued to linger, Shaun smiled against his lips and pushed herself against his chest, deepening the kiss.

  A whistle sounded from the back of the plane that had Jozef whipping his head around to glare at his men. Only it wasn’t his men grinning at them and catcalling, it was Ayaan.

  Shaun giggled as Jozef turned back around with a frown.

  Ayaan definitely got away with more than Jozef’s men could. She was incorrigible, which got on Jozef’s nerves, but she knew when to draw the line and be serious.

  Shaun suspected Jozef was seeing the young woman as a little sister. She wondered if his protective instincts would interfere with his ability to send Ayaan on dangerous missions. She noticed that occasionally Jozef sent his men away without Ayaan, much to the girl’s consternation.

  When the plane landed and came to a safe halt, Jozef stood and took Shaun’s hand. Instead of leading her off the plane with the rest of his people, he pulled her to the back of the plane where their luggage was stored. He pointed at a set of fancy blue Ralph Lauren suitcases.

  Shaun shook her head, bewildered.

  He picked up one of the garment bags and slung it across a row of seats, unzipping it. She gasped as he pulled a handful of hangers with some of the finest clothes she'd had ever seen.

  A gift, he signed.

  She touched the fabrics and quickly checked the labels. They were all her size and, as she rifled through them, all a twist on her usual style. They looked comfortable, but with a fine finish that gave them the illusion of being extremely chic and in fashion.

  I love them, she signed enthusiastically. But why did you get me to pack my own bag if you already had clothes for me?

  You didn’t give me a chance and your bag was already packed by the time I reached the bedroom. He pulled an outfit from the bag. It was a dark purple skirt suit, with a pencil skirt and a cream-coloured blouse with a lace panel at the cleavage. She touched the fabric, feeling the waterfall of silk slide through her fingers.

  “It’s beautiful.” Her voice was hushed. “Do you want me to put it on?”

  He nodded. You are lovely as you are, but I think this will make the statement that I am in the company of a beautiful, intelligent doctor and if anyone touches me, you will cut them.

  Shaun burst into laughter and hugged the fabric against her chest. “Where should I change?”

  Here is fine, I will make sure no one comes up the ramp.

  Jozef went to stand in front of the door, blocking the view of Shaun as she changed. Suspecting he’d bought her a complete outfit, she dug through the other bags until she found shoes. She chose a pair of matching soft purple heels.

  She changed quickly, ducked into the bathroom, and patted down her hair, which made absolutely no difference, then met Jozef at the door. As she looked at the tarmac, she caught sight of several cars, all black with tinted windows.

  “Are those for us?”

  Yes, they will be our escort to the palace and our bodyguards to a nearby town. Jozef must’ve caught her worried look. He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her before signing, they’re here for our protection. We are assets and we are in Bratva territory. If anything were to happen to us here, it would be an embarrassment to the organization.

  She shuddered, the old feeling of being out of her depth creeping back over her like an icy blanket. She hated that feeling. She was no longer balancing between two worlds. She had chosen which side she was on, and her choice was to be wherever Jozef was.

  She slid her hand into his and squeezed, giving him the best smile she could manage. “I trust you.”

  His gaze softened for a split second before hardening to his usual unreadable expression. It was time to put on his business face.

  As they walked down the ramp, Shaun teased, “Of all the places I’d imagined our honeymoon to be, this wasn’t one of them.”

  Jozef’s face was set in serious lines, but his eyes danced for her. He dropped her hand so he could sign to her. When we have our honeymoon, you will know it. This is business. He seemed to think about it and then signed, although you should reserve judgment until you see the palace. You might think this is a relaxing holiday before we’re through.

  Somehow Shaun doubted it, but she appreciated his attempt to ease some of her tension.

  Jozef was correct about the palace. It was the most spectacular building Shaun had ever set eyes on. Though Canada was a relatively young country compared to most European countries, there was some beautiful architecture in Montreal. Nothing could compare to the palace, though. It was a step out of time and reality. With its blue spires, stained glass domes and white painted brick walls, it looked like it should drift in the clouds somewhere.

  “How much do you suppose a place like this would run?” Shaun asked, taking Jozef’s hand as he reached to help her from the car. “For a summer home, I mean.”

  Jozef chuckled. I am a wealthy man now and I would happily set the world at your feet. He shook his head. But this place? It would take more than my current fortune.

  Shaun shrugged. I prefer a cottage in the countryside anyway.

  That is why I love you, my beautiful wife.

  That’s the only thing? She arched a brow at him.

  He seemed to think about it. What else is there?

  She laughed and smacked his bicep before sliding her hand across his arm and allowing him to escort her inside.

  Though the palace was indescribably beautiful, it held a chilly feeling to it that Shaun couldn’t shake as they were shown through the corridors to the guest wing.

  The suite that they would call home for the five days they would be in Russia put the Koba mansion to shame. It gave opulent a new name.

  Shaun slid her hand across a marble column inlaid with gold, speculating that she probably didn’t need to ask if it was genuine gold. She shook her head as she imagined the many uses the money that had gone into decorating the mansion could have gone to. With the columns alone, Doctors Without Borders could say goodbye to their funding problems.

  She followed Jozef and their footman into the bedroom where their luggage was being dropped off.

  Jozef was handing the footman some cash, then he handed over his phone, placing it in the footman's palm.

  Give him your phone, Jozef told her.

  She frowned and reached into her purse. Jozef had warned her on the airplane that she would have to give up her connection to the outside world. The official stance of the palace was that it was a vacation home and phones would interfere with the ambience. Of course, Shaun didn’t believe that for a minute.

  Her heart beat a little faster as she gave up her symbol of independence, her ability to call for help, her connection to the people she loved. Honestly, she told herself, it was silly to get so worked up. If the Bratva intended to kill them inside the walls of the palace, they wouldn’t be given the opportunity of calling for help.

  As always, Jozef read her mind. They won’t kill us here. This place is far too nice to stain with our blood.

  Shaun laughed but glanced at the footman who remained by the door pretending not to look at them.

  You need to be careful what you say. We must assume that everyone here understands sign language. Nothing we say is private.

  Jozef’s expression changed. Not to one of surprise, but to one of satisfaction. My wife is both beautiful and intelligent. He looked toward the footman, signing, isn’t she?

  The footman looked Jozef in the eye and spoke in deeply accented English, “Indeed she is.”

  That one sentence told them everything they needed to know. Their communications would not remain private while they were in the palace, no matter what language they used to communicate in.

  “You can leave,” Shaun said coldly in flawless Russian.

  Shaun held the man’s gaze as he stiffened and fought to keep the expression of surprise from h
is face. No doubt, the palace staff had been told that the foreigner wife of Jozef Koba spoke only English. Perhaps it was stupid to give away her new skill.

  “I am to remain in case you need anything, Mrs. Koba.”

  Shaun narrowed her eyes and rolled her shoulders back, straightening to her full height. In her heels, she was easily taller than the man standing across from her.

  “It’s Dr. Koba, and we require nothing from you except your departure. Our flight was long and we want to sleep.” She gave him a hard stare and tried on her best mob wife voice. “You may leave.”

  The footman held his ground until Jozef placed a hand on Shaun’s shoulder and stared at the man, promising him death if he continued to ignore Shaun’s commands.

  The moment he left, Shaun flopped backward on the bed, covering her face with her hands. She bounced off the high mattress and slid to the floor.

  Jozef grabbed her and dragged her up the bed while she giggled at the ridiculousness of it all. “I feel like I’ve time travelled a few hundred years into the past. I’m the only woman of colour living among the aristocracy and fighting my way up the ladder to the top while dodging servants who treat me like I’m nothing more than a bug to be squished.”

  Jozef climbed onto the bed, straddling her legs and staring down at her. You will shake the aristocracy to its core.

  She stared back at him. The moment should be playful, but it felt serious. They were deep in Russian Bratva territory, guests at the palace where meetings deciding their future were about to take place.

  Yes, I will, she signed. I will fight for us.

  Jozef kissed her, pushing his hands into her hair and anchoring her head. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back, pouring her heart into the kiss. It was their one flawless method of communication. Both of them spoke as one when their lips met.

  Finally, Jozef broke the kiss, staring down at Shaun with love and lust in his eyes.

  “You have a meeting,” she whispered.

  Jozef nodded, gave her one last kiss, then climbed off the bed and strode from the room, straightening his suit jacket as he walked away.