Page 60 of A Silent Reckoning

Radik let out a whistle. One of his men opened the tailgate of a covered truck and reached inside. Though Jozef didn’t move a muscle, his team trained weapons on the back of the truck.

A woman emerged, her head ducked low so she wouldn’t hit it as she allowed the man below her to lift her by the waist and set her on the ground. When she looked up, her gaze met Jozef’s. Her eyes were a rich dark brown, guileless, yet somehow also world-weary. Her hair was cut short against her scalp with an army green scarf pushed back on her head. She wore a pair of fatigue pants and a militaristic shirt. She was dressed the same as Radik’s men, but the outfit did nothing to hide the ripe curves beneath.

Radik reached for her as she approached, taking her hand and drawing her forward. She looked to be in her late teens, perhaps around Saskia’s age. She dropped her eyes, staring at the dirt next to her boots. Jozef suspected there was no submission there; that she’d been told not to look at him or his team directly. She hadn’t had a problem staring boldly at him when Radik wasn’t looking.

Radik continued to hold her hand, but before he could explain what was going on, she looked up and said something in a language Jozef didn’t recognize. It took seconds for Jozef to realize she was angry and not afraid to tell off the giant warlord. She jerked her hand from Radik’s and turned to face him, pointing a finger at his chest as she spoke.

Jozef’s lips twitched and he had to clear his throat so as not to laugh out loud. Havel was experiencing the same struggle as he ran a hand over his face to wipe his amused expression away. It was fucking hilarious to watch the delicate woman who was at least a foot shorter than Radik tear a strip off him while he looked sheepish and refused to make eye contact, scuffing his shoe in the dirt. Jozef wondered if the woman was Radik’s wife and this was why he was sending her away.

After a few minutes of listening to an extremely one-sided tirade, Jozef cleared his throat and stepped forward with a raised brow. Radik reacted swiftly, shoving the still chattering woman behind his back and pulling his weapon, training it on Jozef’s face.

Jozef’s men reacted, pointing weapons at the pair, ready to fire on Jozef’s or Havel’s command.

Jozef lifted his hands slowly in a ‘peace’ motion.

It was abundantly clear that whoever the woman was, she meant a lot to the giant mercenary. He was willing to protect her with his life and the lives of his men. There was no way he’d be selling this woman.

Finally, Radik lowered his weapon, but the scowl remained on his face.

“Ayaan is my sister,” Radik explained. “You will ensure her safe passage to her handlers in France.”

Jozef stared at Radik and finally nodded. He signed while Havel spoke.Since you’ve changed the parameters of our agreement, I will also make my own amendment. I want ten million on top of the 75 you agreed to, and you will explain why you need me and my team to take the girl to France. I want background before I agree to this.

Though Jozef suspected he could work the reason out for himself he wanted details.

Radik didn’t look happy but he didn’t have a choice except to answer Jozef’s questions if he wanted Jozef’s help.

“Ayaan was born out of the union of my mother’s second marriage. A surprise to both our mother and myself, but a welcome one. She has been the joy in what could have been a very bleak existence. Both of her parents are now dead and she’s my responsibility, which is equal parts a pleasure and a burden.”

Radik oomphed and then grinned as his sister punched him in the back and rejoined him at his side.

“I am not a burden,” she said in clear English, her accent British.

Radik’s gaze softened as he looked at his much younger sister. “Not a burden in the way you mean,” he admitted. He lifted a more serious gaze to meet Jozef’s. “I have done many terrible things in my life; none of them I regret. But I have made enemies. Though none have managed to turn their threats into fact, they still continue to hound me. It’s only a matter of time before one of the attacks is successful, and I will not have my sister around to get caught in the crossfire.”

Why don’t you take her to F-R-A-N-C-E yourself?Jozef asked.

“I am vulnerable when I travel,” Radik admitted. “So, I don’t.”

“You came to Prague,” Havel pointed out, knowing what Jozef would ask next.

“I don’t travel from my region of control, except to meet with you.” Radik’s eyes never left Jozef’s. “Protecting my sister is the most important thing I will do with my life. Meeting you in Prague was a small, but dangerous sacrifice to make if it ensures her safe passage. You must understand, you have two younger cousins. Intelligence has it that they are like sisters to you.”

Jozef’s lips pulled back in a snarl before he could stop himself. He was willing to put up with any kind of shit talk from a client, except when it came to the female members of his family. He didn’t care that the Koba family was in upheaval at the moment, that he didn’t trust them. His cousins were still his responsibility.

Before Jozef could warn the other man to keep his mouth shut regarding Jozef’s cousins, Radik made it worse. “Your woman, Dr. Patterson. Like my sister, she is both beautiful and vulnerable.”

Jozef lost his cool, pulling his gun and leveling it on Radik. He would kill this fucker and leave his body behind to bake in the hot sun. His sister could grieve for him.

Radik didn’t blink, though he did give his sister a push so she wasn’t standing as close to him. “I am not threatening you, Koba. I’m appealing to your softer side, if you have one. You must. I have seen you with your woman. There is love in your eyes for her.” Radik gestured at Ayaan. “I want you to protect my sister the way you would protect your lady doctor.”

Slowly the red haze faded and Jozef reholstered his weapon. He took several deep breaths to clear his head, catching the concerned look on Havel’s face. He shook his head. Jozef was the picture of calm when meeting with clients, no matter what they said to him, yet he couldn’t keep his cool when Shaun’s name came up. He would have to work on it, or let Havel take lead. He couldn’t let Shaun distract him while he was on mission.

Finally, Jozef signed,I understand. Throw in the extra ten million and we will complete our mission and take your sister to the drop point.

Radik grinned and wrapped a big arm around Ayaan’s shoulders. “You have my gratitude. I will not forget this.”

Jozef pointed at Radik.If you ever lie to me about a job again, I will make sure there’s nothing left for your enemies to find.

---