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 attempt. 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.