Page 47 of Redemption

Chapter 36

“You could have mentionedthat you were going to drop Vladimir’s name in the conversation. Your little plan could have backfired and had serious consequences.”

One of Josie’s eyes opened as she peered over at Agent Morgan.

“You seem to underestimate how much I know about Charles Santiago. I lived in the same house with that man for eighteen years. I’ve been following everything about this man’s habits for years. Just because I hadn’t seen your Russian’s name in my father’s things doesn’t mean that my father wasn’t completely aware of who he was. The chances of him doing business with Dragomirov were high. I took a calculated risk, which paid off. You’re welcome.”

Both agents shook their heads in frustration.

Webber broke in. “Look, it’s over and done. Regardless of how it was done, we got the information you needed. So, Thursday, Ms. Bishop will confront Santiago in order to coordinate an exchange of information. She will then attempt to get her father to talk about the sex trafficking. We need more information than what she was able to retrieve in order to rescue the girls. We need to find this Dragomirov and shut down his operation. She’ll go in wired, and we’ll be there every step of the way.”

“I’m coming with you.”

If she were going in alone to confront her father, then I would insist on being there. There wasn’t a chance in hell I was going to let her go without me being there to protect her. I had no problem with Webber. I though he was a good guy who got a bad rap. But I knew nothing about these two other gentlemen,. It didn’t matter to me if Connor recommended them. They weren’t as vested in making sure Josie wasn’t harmed as I was. If shit was gonna go badly, I planned on being there to make sure things were okay.

“I don’t think —”

“He can come,” Josie interrupted Agent Morgan. “In fact, I insist he be there.”

“I don’t like it.”

Although she was much shorter than either of the agents, Josephine slowly rose to her feet. Her face transformed to an expression I had seen more than once. I called it her “Domme look”. The imperious look had subs, including me, dropping to our knees. I knew who was in charge when Josie pulled out that look.

“I don’t give a shit what you don’t like. You need me. Without the evidence I have, you both would still be scratching your heads trying to get a lead on your Russian guy. With me, you’re already one step closer. Miles comes or I don’t go. Are we clear?”

Both men stared her down, none of them giving an inch. Josephine wouldn’t be intimidated.

With a resigned sigh, they both gave a succinct nod. I could tell neither were happy with her ultimatum, but they were fighting a losing battle and knew it.

“In two days you’ll have the information you want. In the meantime, I have my own plans I need to take care of. So, unless there is anything else you gentlemen need, I’m going home for the day.”

When no one had anything further to add, Josie stood. As she moved past me, she paused and held out her hand. Without hesitation, I rose from my seat and slipped my hand in hers. Together, we exited the office and drove back to her house. Neither of us spoke, but no words needed to be said right now. I helped Josie undress, and I drew my shirt over my head and threw it onto the chair in her room. We climbed into bed, and her warmth seeped into my skin as she pulled herself closer to me. I wrapped my arms around her, breathing in her citrus smell.

Her chest rested against me, and I could feel her heart beating in time with mine. We drew comfort from each other. I didn’t push her to talk to me. We had time to talk once she rested. Soon, her breathing softened and became shallow. I tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear and closed my eyes as well, drifting off into oblivion.

My body jerked awake some time later. The room had darkened with the setting sun, but the faintest of light shone through the blinds. Josie remained cemented to my side. She must have sensed I was awake, because she began to stir. Her eyelashes fluttered a time or two before, finally, her brown eyes opened fully and she stared up at me.

“Are you feeling better?”

She covered up a yawn with her fist and stretched slightly. I kept my arousal under control as her breasts arched toward me, the nipples peeking through the sheet. Now wasn’t the time. We needed to talk about what was going to happen over the next couple of days.

“A little. Thank you for letting me sleep.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I have to get Casey away from him. I don’t want her in the house when we’re there. She’s my Achilles heel, and my father knows this. He’ll use her to get to me.”

“What do we need to do, then?”

She drew random designs on my chest while I watched her mind work.

“There’s a cottage. I bought it three years ago. The deed belongs to a consortium that can’t be traced to me. But, it’s my house. I’ve always planned on using it as a safe house for Casey when I was finally able to get her away from my father. We need to get her there where she’ll be safe. And it has to happen tomorrow.”

“How are you thinking of getting her out of your father’s house. You said she was agoraphobic. She’s not going to go willingly.”

That’s the part of Josie’s plan that I knew would hurt her the most. She knew Casey was going to resist, but, in the end, it would be futile. She was leaving that house. It was for her own good.

“I’m going to need to call in a favor.”

“From who?”

“Connor.”

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