Page 127 of Stains of Desire
"Me, too. But he did."
"I see. This woman...you are positive she is not a spy and acting against Britain?"
"Yes. On my life, she is not."
He inhales deeply, and we get to the end of the parking lot. "Walk left. There are a few stores about half a mile away. Cabs will be out front. Go to Blaise's. I will find the address and meet you there when I know what is happening with this woman."
"Thank you. I owe you."
He snorts. "I think even after I do this, I'll still be in debt to you."
"No, you aren't. You never were."
He grunts. "Let's not go over this again. I'll come as soon as I can." He pulls out a pack of cigarettes and lights one up.
"Thank you. I'll be waiting." I follow his direction, taking long strides that turn into a trot and eventually a full-out run. When I get to the stores, I'm covered in sweat. I hop in the first cab I see and tell him where Blaise lives. I only know the street, but the cabbie tells me he can navigate.
It's a good half-hour ride to Blaise's home. Penelope's face plagues me. Her terrified green eyes and her screams for me to keep my promise to her haunt me.
I'm torn. I promised to rescue Millie. But I also said I would get her to safety first.
By the time the cabbie drops me off, my head's spinning. No matter how many times I tell myself to stay calm, the rage and fear I feel consume my every thought.
I bang on the front door, ringing the doorbell several times in a row. I bark, "Andre."
He opens the door. "Where have you been?"
"Where's Penelope?" Naomi asks from behind him.
"They took her."
"Who?" Andre booms and steps back so I can come in.
"Immigration. We got off the plane, and immigration stopped us. They said the British government has a warrant out for her arrest."
His face hardens. "For what?"
"Espionage."
"She's a spy?" Blaise says as we enter the room.
"No. She's not," I growl.
"How can you be sure?"
"She isn't," I angrily insist.
Blaise holds his hands in the air. "Okay."
"Axel, come in and sit down," Naomi says.
"Andre, we need to go get her. She can't go back to the British government."
"Axel, come sit down," Andre repeats.
I glance around. "Where are the others?"
"You're the first to arrive."
