Page 156 of Haze of Obedience
What is she doing here?
Where's Axel?
Snap out of it, Zoe.
"Thank you. Please, call me Zoe. And you are?"
"Penelope Chelton. I'm at the British Embassy in Panama."
The conversation stays fake and is quick. Whoever she is with and Eduardo don't leave our sides.
Eduardo leads me to the back of the room and interrupts a man kissing a woman against the wall. When he spins, my heart drops further.
Vanessa's eyes widen. "Zoe! What are—"
"I'm performing tonight! It's so great to see you again! How long has it been?"
She regains her composure. "Ummm...I don't know..."
"Was it at the event in Panama?"
"Y...yes. I think so."
Standing next to her is her fiancé and Belizean Cabinet Member Carlos Garcia. He's a global leader and ruthless man. And a million thoughts bombard me about what he could be doing to Vanessa and what happened that she is back with him.
Eduardo pulls Carlos aside, and we embrace.
Vanessa is shaking. "What—"
"Shh," I whisper sternly in her ear.
"Are you okay?"
Am I okay? No. But I need to keep it together. Now is not the time to break down.
I loudly proclaim, "I need the ladies' room. Vanessa, want to come powder your nose?"
"Yes." She turns to Carlos. "Is it okay?"
"Yes, you may go. But first, meet the new Ambassador of Mexico, Eduardo Macias."
Eduardo bends and kisses her cheek, and Vanessa shudders. He notices, but a sinister grin fills his face as if he likes knowing he scares her.
"Time to go, Vanessa," I chirp.
Eduardo swats my ass as I walk by, and I close my eyes and grimace.
When we get into the bathroom, I go to the sink and turn on the water. I add soap to my hands and wash them and motion for Vanessa to do the same.
She obeys.
"There are cameras here," I mutter.
"Where's Dirk?"
Hearing his name is like ripping the scab off a wound. I blink hard, trying to keep it together. "Dead, I think."
She gapes at me. "What?"
