Page 113 of Stains of Desire
Nausea hits me. I cover my mouth then run to the door I assume is the bathroom. I make it in time to throw up in the toilet.
Axel comes after me and grabs my hair then rubs my back. Sweat breaks out on my skin, and I lean back against him. He puts his hand to my head. "How long have you been feeling bad?"
I shake my head. "I'm fine."
"Don't lie to me. You're sick."
"I think it's stress."
"This has been a lot. We'll be in Bermuda soon."
I close my eyes. The thick air fills my lungs in a suffocating way. "I'm never getting Millie back, am I?"
"Don't say that. We finally made it here."
Tears run down my eyes. "And the cartels are running the airports. They are everywhere. If we can't fly out of the country, how are we supposed to find Millie?"
Axel grabs a washcloth, runs cool water over it, and crouches down to hold it to my face. The cold rag feels good against my hot skin. "Let's go talk to Jimbo and see what he suggests. I need you not to lose hope, green eyes."
He's never once waivered about finding Millie. Every day, anytime I start to go down the black hole, he confidently tells me I will get her back. The same determination that is always in his eyes is there now. It gives me the strength to try and keep moving forward.
"Okay."
He helps me up. We go back to the table and sit.
Jimbo has a concerned expression on his face. "Penelope, are you sick? Do you need anything?"
"Just stressed."
He nods, as if he understands.
Axel clears his throat. "You suggested we stay for a week or so. I'm assuming you have another way for us to get to Bermuda?"
"There's a tanker ship coming up from the coast of Venezuela that will be heading over to the Bahamas."
"An oil tanker?" Axel asks.
"Yes. I've got a friend who can take you in his boat to international waters. At that point, you can transfer to it. When you get to the Bahamas, you can catch a ride with one of the crew to the island, then fly out of there."
"Mummy," Millie's voice cries out in my head. I put my elbows on the table and cover my face.
Several more weeks.
How long can Millie be away from me?
How much longer can I last?
"Jimbo, do you have a place Penelope can rest?"
I lift my head. "I'm fine."
Axel's jaw clenches. "No. You aren't."
"I've got a spare bedroom. The second door on the right. Make yourself at home."
"Do you mind if we take a shower?" Axel asks.
"No. And you stay here as long as you need."
