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Curly glared at the man while speaking to Bekah. “Did you believe that you had been born in the United States?”

“No.” She’d always known they’d moved when she was a small child, but had no idea where her parents came from. They were close lipped about all of it.

“How will you respond when we tell you we have evidence you were a part of the plot to kill Princess Regina, who you believed to be your sister?” Curly leaned closer.

And Bekah laughed.

CHAPTER 17

Was that laughter coming from the conference room?

It took all of Josiah’s willpower to stay seated and not pace the outer office.

Another twenty minutes passed before the door opened, and Bekah emerged.

She looked at him and winked, but didn’t say a word. He’d known she wouldn’t. Nothing that could be construed as communication.

But what was the wink about?

He stewed for another ten minutes before the door opened. This time Thor came out.

“They have decided the inquiry is over, and they don’t need to speak with you, sir.” He inclined his head toward Josiah. “You are free to leave and find your wife.”

Josiah thanked him. He found it so odd that his mother’s husband would act that way and address him like that, though he understood why in a more formal setting. If Thor did it in private, they’d all glare at him and refuse to answer. It had taken some time for him to get comfortable calling them by their first names when they were together as a family.

And he would likely never be truly comfortable calling Ben by his name, much less the diminutive.

“Thank you, Thor.” Josiah nodded toward him then walked as sedately as he could toward the stairs where he’d be out of sight of anyone official. Then he could hurry more toward their apartment.

Bekah couldn’t have beaten him by much. When he reached their hallway, his phone buzzed. The text made him want to whoop and holler. As he entered the living area, she emerged from the bedroom having changed clothes into something more comfortable.

“Did you finish already?” She seemed stunned.

“They decided they didn’t need to talk to me. They’re dropping the whole thing.”

She gaped at him. “What?”

“It’s over.”

Bekah squealed and threw her arms around his neck. He grasped her around the waist and spun her around.

“Oh, my goodness!” Her grip on him tightened. “Why?”

“Does it matter?” Josiah set her feet back on the ground. His hands came to rest on her hips.

Bekah looked up at him, tears in her eyes. “No, I don’t suppose it does. Not really, but it would be nice to know. Just so we know what changed.”

Josiah found himself glancing down, just a little farther, to her lips and wondered what it would be like to kiss her. What would she think if he did?

Before he could make a decision, her hands slid down his upper arms then somehow managed to snake around his waist.

Her cheek came to rest against his chest. Josiah moved to hold her a little more tightly.

“I don’t think I want to vacation in Athmetis again anytime soon, though.”

Josiah chuckled. “I’m inclined to agree with you. We can find other places to vacation.”

She went oddly still and silent.