not to mention he had hired private security to track and trail Josie wherever she went. If Armstrong had known, he would have been insulted.
It wasn’t a lack of faith in the man’s abilities. It was just because Josie Essa was the most important person in the world to York, and he wasn’t taking any chances with her safety, with her life.
“Where the fuck is she? Aren’t agents supposed to be punctual and responsible? This woman is late.” He looked up to the clock on the mantel over the fireplace. “She’s two minutes late, for fuck’s sake.”
“I have to say,” London laughed. “I never thought I would ever see you going to war for a woman like this.”
“She’s my mate,” York stated.
London’s eyes went huge, while Beth frowned. “Wait, no. That can’t be right.”
York had managed to keep that little tidbit away from his brother for a week, but he was so keyed up, he had forgotten to keep the damn thing under wraps. He was never going to hear the end of it now. Quickly, while he kept a watchful eye on the clock, York gave them the gist of it.
“It’s so romantic that you’re saving her,” Beth cooed.
York felt his cheeks heat with the notion that he was romantic, but really? What did he care? He knew he loved Josie. He was meant to, she was his mate. York was also very aware that he needed to take care of this before his daredevil lady would do something insane, like confront Milo Steiner. York wanted this whole mess over and done with, so that they could start their lives together.
Mostly, he just wanted Josie in his arms again. They had been in constant contact since he had left New York City. He hated that he’d had to go the day after they had been intimate. It hadn’t been enough, and he was concerned that Josie would think he was just taking advantage of her.
Even though she knew why he had gone.
York hadn’t felt this completely unstable in a long time. He knew Josie was his, he loved her, and he wanted to get back to her. But, he was also in a new kind of situation. One he couldn’t control without the help of the Interpol agent. He couldn’t start the life he wanted with Josie, when she was a wanted criminal.
He was going to do his level best to make it all go away.
But, he didn’t know if it would be enough, and that’s what made him feel unstable.
Finally, twenty minutes later, the doorbell rang. York grumbled to himself, all the way to the door. He could all but hear Josie telling him to stop being so grumpy. He swung the door opened and ushered in Agent Amy Porath.
The agent had recently helped Beth and London in their own mess, and now that was all put to bed, the woman was going to have to help York with his mess.
“London, Beth, hello,” Agent Porath greeted her hosts as she sat down in the living room, choosing the most uncomfortable looking wooden chair in the corner of the room. It was the best vantage point to analyze and watch them. York had wanted that seat, damn it. He needed to gauge every single reaction the agent would have.
“Would anyone like to explain to me why I’ve been summoned here?” the agent asked.
“Right,” York snapped. “This is about one of the thieves on the Interpol’s wanted list. It’s come to our attention that one of them isn’t actually a thief. That is to say, she steals, but only because she is being blackmailed. Has been for years now.”
Agent Porath seemed skeptical. “Who is doing the blackmailing of which thief?”
“I want you to remove the Jeweled Lady from your wanted list.”
The agent scoffed and crossed her arms. “You want us to remove the Jeweled Lady from our list?” She shook her head. “No. Why would we do that?”
“Because she is being manipulated. Blackmailed by Milo Steiner.”
Her eyes flashed with interest. “The Milo Steiner.”
York nodded. “That’s right. I have all of the financial records that prove that Steiner is the one behind every single theft ever done by the Jeweled Lady.”
“What did he have on her?”
“Family stuff, not important for the purpose of our conversation.”
“I disagree,” Agent Porath responded dryly.
“Milo Steiner is blackmailing the Jeweled Lady. She committed all of her crimes because he has threatened the life of her family.” York took the manila envelope that was on the coffee