Page 150 of Stains of Desire
"Zoe was singing?"
Penelope nods.
"Dirk wasn't with her?"
"No. Jorge and Eduardo were fondling her before the lights went off."
Bastards.
My money is on Dirk.
I hold her cheeks. "So, why are you here?"
"The day after, William flew us in. I don't know why. He left with Gustave and ordered me to stay with Bernadette and their security."
"She's a good person. Gustave, too."
"She told me you were searching for Millie."
"Yes. I've been in Venezuela."
New tears fall. "But Millie wasn't there?"
"No. But I think she was."
"How can you tell?"
I open my backpack and pull out the blanket. "Is this hers?"
Penelope yanks it to her face and cries harder.
I hold her, selfishly enjoying her in my arms even though she's distraught. I quietly tell her, "There are two mountain homes Santiago has in Colombia. I'm going there next."
Penelope removes the blanket off her face. "Thank you for keeping your promise to me."
"Come with me. We'll leave—"
"I can't. You have to rescue Millie."
"I will. But—"
"No. William will kill her if I leave."
"He doesn't have her. Santiago sent that to him—"
"It doesn't matter. At any time, his relationship with Santiago can change. I've seen it. I won't risk her safety."
"We can—"
She puts her finger over my lips. "You made me a promise. Nothing has changed. She comes first."
I clench my jaw, blinking hard and looking at the ceiling.
"Axel?" she whispers and puts her hands on the back of my head.
I look down. "I can't stand being away from you. I'm so worried about what he's doing to you. I've asked myself a thousand times why I'm not getting you first."
"Because—"
