Sin of Silence (Sinner's Empire #1) - Nikita Slater Page 0,15
of her death.
He turned the pistol on her, pressing it to her head. Her eyes started to drift shut, but then she changed her mind and opened them. She would look at her murderer as he killed her. If she had to die, then she would gaze upon Jozef. The man who couldn’t talk. The man who had a duty to perform. One that came above his humanity.
“Please find a way to tell my mom where my body is. Her name is Fatima Patterson of Montréal, Canada.”
Her eyes locked with his and he gave only the slightest nod, indicating he’d heard her. Determination and despair clashed in his beautiful velvet blue eyes. She wondered, as she looked at him, what he saw in her eyes? Fear, hatred, anger? Or acceptance and regret?
His finger tightened on the trigger.
Chapter Six
Each breath seemed to linger in her chest for much longer than usual before puffing out through her mouth. Was this what death felt like? Time slowed down to a crawl and each sense hyper-engaged all at the same time. But then, Jozef jerked the gun away from her head and time sped back up. The warm sunshine filtered through the leaves high above their heads. The flutter of a bird’s wings sounded as it took flight.
Jozef stalked away from her, his shoes rustling in the dead leaves and grass. He grasped his head as indecision warred in his brain. Shaun stayed crouched on the ground, watching warily. Then he turned and grabbed her again, yanking her to her feet. Shaun swayed and thought she would go back down until he steadied her, sliding his gun hand around her back. She gasped and jerked in his arms as she felt the metal press against her spine.
He growled in frustration and set her away from him. As she stumbled back, he put his gun underneath his jacket and back into its holster. The air left Shaun’s lungs in a whoosh, and her knees started to give out. Once more, he lunged toward her as she fell. This time when he caught her, she allowed his touch. It was either that or fall in a painful heap to the ground.
He held her upright, looking down at her with a frown. He waited for a few minutes as she filled her lungs slowly with air and breathed out, over and over until her heart wasn’t racing and her panic began to subside. Their eyes locked and a kind of energy seemed to pass between them, as though he was giving her some of his strength while she sorted herself out. They breathed together, in and out, until she was calmer. Finally, when she was in control of herself, he righted her and, gripping her arm, walked her back to the van.
As they walked, the full impact of what almost happened hit her and Shaun began shaking uncontrollably. She had come within seconds of losing her life. Maybe it was her decision to keep her eyes open that saved her. Or maybe it was her plea that he find a way to tell her mother where to find her body. Whatever it was, it might only be temporary. She would have to try and find out what he planned on doing with her, since it looked like shooting her in the head and leaving her body in the woods was no longer on the table.
When they reached the van, Shaun grabbed the door handle, about to open it, but Jozef’s hand came down on her shoulder. He turned her around to face him and then took a step back. She looked at him in confusion, her adrenalin starting to rise again. Had he changed his mind? Did he want to make sure to kill her outside of the van so he wouldn’t have to worry about bloodstains inside it?
Most people who used sign language used a combination of facial cues, body language and hand signs to express themselves. Facial expressions were often vital in order to communicate mood and intent. Jozef was completely different. His facial expressions were mostly closed, and his body language was stiff and uncompromising, which left her with only hand signals for communication.
He lifted his hands and began signing, I’m not going to kill you.
Relief slammed into her with the intensity of a freight train, stealing her breath for a moment. He wasn’t going to kill her!