Shaun laughed out loud, covering her mouth with her hand. “I don’t think you can put yourself in the ‘un-monied’ category with the rest of us.”
Leeza grinned. “Yeah, well, my shit smells like roses, so I guess we know which side of the aisle I’m on.”
“The groom’s, definitely the groom’s,” Shaun quipped and they both dissolved into laughter.
Shaun was wiping tears from her eyes when a child came running into the ballroom as though his pants were on fire, fat tears rolling down his cheeks. Shaun was startled for a moment until he flung himself at Leeza, climbing onto her lap and wrapping his chubby arms around her neck. Still smiling, Leeza hugged him back, holding him against her chest.
She tipped him back in her arms, smoothed the hair on his forehead and kissed him. He squirmed but didn’t try to leave. Leeza’s eyes met Shaun’s and she said proudly, “This is my son, Kristoph.”
Shaun reached out a hand to the little boy. “Pleased to meet you.”
He straightened on his mother’s lap and reached out to take Shaun’s hand, squeezing it in a surprisingly grownup handshake. His eyes slid past her, focusing on something behind her. Shaun remembered that he was autistic. He had a head full of shaggy hair, the same shade as his mother's. His face was heartbreakingly beautiful, with large golden eyes and round cheeks flushed with colour.
Leeza hugged the child protectively against her chest. “He’s mostly non-verbal, like Jozef. He speaks sometimes, but never to strangers.”
“It’s fine,” Shaun assured her. “Is he alright?”
Leeza held him away from her chest and spoke to the child in Czech. It almost seemed jarring to hear the language, despite that they lived in the Czech Republic. Since coming to the mansion, Shaun had only heard English spoken.
Shaun enjoyed watching mother and son together. Though they both lived in what could be described as a completely dysfunctional household, considering it existed solely based on mafia affiliations, Leeza and her son clearly had a bond that transcended their surroundings.
Kristoph frowned and clutched his arm against his chest. He started signing with one hand as though born to the language. His movements were so fast and over so quick Shaun didn’t catch what he was saying.
Leeza looked concerned as she gently took his arm, pulling it away from his chest. “I don’t see anything.”
“What did he say?” Shaun asked.
“He says he hurt his arm.”
Shaun noticed a slight mottling of the skin. “Can I have a look?”
Leeza looked surprised for a moment, then relieved as she remembered Shaun was a doctor. “Please.” Leeza set Kristoph on the ground and gave him a small push toward Shaun.
Shaun gently took both of Kristoph’s arms and pulled them out straight in front of his body. When he didn’t seem distressed, she leaned over for a closer look, running her hand over the skin. He winced and jerked in her hold. One arm was definitely more swollen than the other. “Can you tell me what happened, sweetheart?” she asked him in her professionally calm voice.
He glanced guiltily up at his mother before answering in sign language. This time Shaun was expecting it and was able to understand him. I fell out of a tree I’m not supposed to climb.
Leeza kissed the back of his head. “I’ll let it go this time, especially since it looks like karma got your arm anyway.”
What’s karma? He looked curiously at his mother while Shaun continued to examine him.
“Fate,” Leeza said laughing. “Something that is meant to be.”
Kristoph twisted around to glare up at her. My arm isn’t fate, mama. You should never say bad things like that.
Shaun and Leeza shared a private glance while Leeza tried to soothe his ruffled feathers.
“I don’t want to alarm you,” Shaun said to Leeza. “But he does need to go to a clinic. They need to ex-ray this arm and possibly put it in a cast. I suspect he’s suffering from a greenstick fracture.” Leeza blanched and Shaun rushed to reassure her. “It’s very common among children. Their bones are still growing so there is some elasticity to them. Which means when they fall, instead of splintering, the bones will get tiny cracks called hairline fractures. They aren’t nearly as bad as other types of fractures.”
Leeza looked marginally better, but was quick to stand up clutching Kristoph’s good hand. “Thank you, Shaun. You must excuse us though; I must get him to our doctor right away.”
Without waiting for a response, Leeza rushed from the room, her voice ringing in the hallway as she shouted. The sound of her voice echoing back into the ballroom was reminiscent of Dasha. Perhaps that apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
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.