East Bound by Nana Malone (best value ebook reader .txt) 📗

exactly did you think was going to happen when you got Interpol involved?"

"I just wasn't told what to expect."

"I recognize that, but we're not in the habit of disclosing everything we're going to do ahead of time. So if you would like us to continue and catch these thieves, to put the people responsible for millions in stolen art behind bars before they can steal from you and your family, please, let us do our jobs."

He moved closer to the vault, and we were not even a step behind him. He glowered as he turned back to us. ”Do you really need to see this part?”

Amelia smiled. "Well, we would appreciate a close look at how it works."

He seemed surprised at first, but I could tell he was a little giddy to show off his toys.

"This vault is hermetically sealed and temperature controlled. It stores the most valuable pieces I have. I assume someone will need to catalog these as well."

Amelia nodded. "Once we get our basic assessments of security, I'll have the rest of the team do a full catalog."

He nodded as if finally satisfied. "You recognize, if anything goes missing..."

"I understand, sir, that's why we're here. I need to ascertain that this is, in fact, a credible threat."

"Of course, it's a credible threat."

"Well, I certainly hope not. Where did you say your information came from again?"

"I had an anonymous phone call."

Amelia nodded. "Right. But your very capable security team made a point of showing us all their devices and equipment, and I'm sure they’re trying to locate where the original call came from, right?"

"Of course they are, but so far they’ve been unsuccessful."

"Well, if you don't mind, we'll have our experts take a look."

"Sure, fine."

For a man who was more than likely capable of deflecting any credible threat, using Interpol in this game of cat and mouse seemed rather off.

Maybe because he knew we wouldn't be able to find or trace anything.

Amelia kept him distracted while I appeared to be photographing his pieces while surreptitiously doing the technical duty East had given me.

When it was done, I breathed a sigh of relief. I turned to Amelia. "All right, the vault is probably ready for a full catalog. I have the initial images we need."

She turned to Lord Jameson. "Thank you so much for your cooperation sir. I'll bring in the rest of the team now."

He nodded. "Actually, now that I think about it, it would probably be wise to have Interpol inside the event."

Amelia blinked. That wasn't the plan.

Her brow lifted, and I knew that to be her slightly panicked face. But then she recovered quickly. "While that's a kind offer, I'm not sure I can secure the man—"

Before she could even get the word manpower out, he waved his hand dismissively. "I'll call your boss. It'll be much better talking to the person in charge."

I frowned at that. How many times did she get dismissed in a day?

Even I was rarely dismissed like that. Especially from someone needing our help.

My jaw tensed as I finally saw exactly what she'd been talking and complaining about with my own two eyes. But she ignored it with more poise than Lord Jameson deserved. "Feel free to do that. But, if there is no actual credible threat, having us on-site is overkill. We really don't know how credible the threat is yet."

"In that case, consider it an invitation. One that you shouldn't deny."

I gave Amelia the barest of nods, letting her know that we'd deal with it as it came.

"Fair enough. I'll gather some team members."

"Yes, you do that. Actually, I insist on the two of you being here. Since you seem to be heading up this team, I want you on hand."

My steps faltered. "I'm sorry sir, but I'm not available."

Jameson turned his gaze on me. "Then make yourself available."

Fuck. I wasn't supposed to be anywhere near this. How the fuck were we going to pull this off?

As we were shown out of the vault, Amelia and I exchanged glances, and I knew that she was thinking the exact same thing. Already, our plan was going to shit. We'd be here. Likely, so would several other Interpol agents. Team London Lords was going to be in trouble.

Chapter 28

East

My first inkling that something was wrong was when Amelia came to hand me the device and not Nyla. "Where is she?"

"We have a problem. Jameson wants us at the event tonight. He insisted that since he had a rapport with Nyla, he was sending a car for her. She couldn't do the hand off."

"She's not supposed to be there."

"I know, I know. Look, here it is. I have to get back. I made a point to tell Jameson that I had to coordinate a team so I would not be taking his car service, but he was very insistent about Nyla. I hope that this is what you need, and I hope that you’re successful."

I wanted to scream. "She's not supposed to be there. Anything could happen."

"Then make sure something doesn't. She's my best mate. Don't get her killed."

My gut twisted. "Fuck me."

"No thanks, though you're very pretty. I can see why she likes you."

Amelia turned in her dress, all slinky black and sequined. "Where do you keep your gun in that?"

"You probably don't want to know."

"Jesus."

I could hear her laugh ringing out as she hustled out of Lucas and Bryna's townhouse. I turned to my mates. "Christ, are we still doing this?"

Lucas held open his tuxedo. Inside were little sachets filled with lock picking tools and other things that I didn't quite know the purpose of, but I somehow knew people were going to be leaving the event without their jewels. "I'm ready."

I glanced at Bryna, and my brows furrowed. "He's kidding, right?"

She shook her head. "Nope, he's not kidding at all. He's been looking forward to this for two days."

I glanced at Ben and Bridge, and both were ready. I could tell by the