Page 40 of A Silent Reckoning

“I do have one amendment to our original agreement.” Radik looked from Jozef to Shaun, his expression still calculating.

Jozef had been mostly relaxed up to that point, communicating with politeness. When Radik spoke of an amendment, Jozef straightened in his seat, all pretense of relaxation gone. He glared at Radik for a full minute before signing,N-O.

Shaun suspected she didn’t need to translate based on the uncompromising look on Jozef’s face and the belligerent look on Radik’s. She didn’t understand what was going on. What was the original agreement and how did Radik want to change it? Whatever silent battle was raging between the two, she was starting to suspect she was right in the middle.

“She will remain completely safe while travelling through my territory. In fact, you will likely be safer for having her with you. She is black, she can translate, she has met many people from the region and will understand their culture and traditions. Someone like her can only enhance your objective.”

N-O, Jozef repeated, shaking his head and glaring fiercely at Radik.

Again, Shaun didn’t bother translating the obvious.

She felt an instant bolt of excitement that took her by surprise. After the trauma she’d experienced a year earlier she hadn’t even considered going back to Doctors Without Borders. At least not yet. But now that the men were talking about travel, yes to war torn countries, but also to places she’d worked in and loved, the thought of going back was extremely appealing.

Radik allowed his anger to show by smashing his large fist into the table and making it jump. Shaun felt her chair move back a few inches and glanced up at Karl who gave her a quick wink. He was making sure the table didn’t smack into her.

“I am making this term non-negotiable. Either your doctor friend travels with you or we do not move forward with our partnership.” Radik was now laser focused on Jozef, speaking directly to the other man. “Which would be a shame. You do not want me for an enemy.”

A chill travelled around the table and Havel stepped out of the shadows, startling Shaun who hadn’t seen him. Of course, he would be nearby during what sounded to Shaun like a very important meeting. Havel’s presence felt reassuring and bolstered Shaun’s confidence.

We have many enemies; you won’t be any more significant than the rest.

Shaun translated, but Radik didn’t look at her.

“You do not have any enemies like me, Koba. Think carefully before you refuse this very lucrative opportunity.”

Jozef stubbornly shook his head.I don’t need to think about it. You’re proposing I take my woman into one of the most dangerous regions on the planet. The answer is no.

“She’s been there before, which makes her an asset. She will also be helpful in moving my package.”

Jozef didn’t speak again. Shaun supposed he didn’t need to. He’d made his position abundantly clear. She wanted to argue as well but this wasn’t the right place to do it. She knew better than to undermine Jozef’s position by arguing with him publicly. She would talk to him in the privacy of their home.

Their home. She’d been there less than a week and already she was thinking of the penthouse as their home.

The tension ratcheted up as the two men faced off, neither wanting to back down. Shaun knew Jozef well enough to know that he wouldn’t be the one to back down. Not in this instance. He’d made his position on Shaun’s safety abundantly clear the day before when he’d pulled his gun on the man who’d been following them.

It was Radik who broke first, his fierce expression melting into a jovial grin.

“We will discuss it no further. I can appreciate a man who will protect his woman, even to the detriment of himself. I feel the same about my women.”

The tension around the table evaporated as the men discussed a few more details. Twenty minutes later, Radik stood and shook hands with Jozef and Shaun. He lingered over Shaun, his expression softening.

“If you ever visit my home country, look me up. My protection will keep you safe.”

“Thank you,” Shaun murmured, pulling her hand from Radik’s grip and tucking it against Jozef’s arm. She was uncomfortable with the large man. She suspected he was either a military general or a warlord. It didn’t matter which. Depending on the region, the two were synonymous.

Once Radik and his men were gone, Havel and Karl stepped outside the curtained VIP room, giving Jozef and Shaun some privacy.

Shaun looked at Jozef, crossing her arms over her chest and narrowing her eyes. “Tell me about the package. What’s inside and how dangerous is it?”

Chapter Twenty-One

Idon’t know,Jozef signed.

Annoyance crossed Shaun’s features. “You’ll include me in a conversation like that?” she waved her arm around the table. “But you won’t tell me the details.”

Jozef reached for her, dragging her onto his lap as he sank back into the booth. He wedged Shaun between him and the table, turning her so she was facing him, but his hands were free.

I don’t know the details of the package, Jozef clarified.According to Radik’s original request, the contents of the package are to remain anonymous. If Radik’s enemies were to find out what it’s worth, they would stop at nothing to get hold of it.

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