Page 4 of Stains of Desire
I hit the button for the divider. "Sir, I think we're going the wrong way."
He says nothing and rolls the divider back up.
The hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and I try to put the divider down again, but it's locked.
Stay calm. You don't want to scare Millie.
I pull my phone out of my purse, but the signal isn't popping up. It's as if someone blocked me.
The first stop he makes, I attempt to open the door, but it won't open, and I can't unlock it.
For several hours, we drive. My heart races fast, and my chest tightens, but I keep reminding myself Millie is with me.
When we finally stop, I pull her closer to me.
The door opens, and my stomach twists tighter.
William is emotionless. This man in front of me takes it to an entirely new level. His expression is arrogant and sinister. Power radiates from his dark, cold eyes.
His dress pants and shirt are immaculate, without a wrinkle on them. Long, black hair is pulled into a ponytail. Not a hair is out of place. If he didn't represent evil, he would be attractive. But this man could be the devil himself. I know it because he's Santiago Gómez, the Colombian drug lord.
Like the rest of the drug lords, he's a global leader. But there's a struggle for power going on. And the majority of the leaders have sided with his competitors.
Fear roots itself in my toes, and I tug Millie closer to me.
He slides into the seat next to me.
"Penelope. It's been a while."
I stay quiet, scared I'll say the wrong thing.
He takes his finger and drags it down Millie's cheek. And I want to rip his head off for touching her, but one wrong move could put her in more danger.
"It's time to choose sides."
"I-I don't understand," I stutter and pull Millie as close as possible to my side. But there is nowhere to hide or protect her.
His finger freezes, and he focuses on me, then traces my collarbone.
I shudder.
"You know all the secrets and people. And you're going to tell me everything you know. Then you're going to help me make things happen."
"I don't know anything," I cry out. If I say anything to him about what I'm privy to, I'll die at the Global Leaders' hands. William would probably put the first slice into me.
His eyes turn to slits. "Daughters need their mothers. The next time you lie to me, yours won't see you ever again."
Tears fall down my cheeks. "Please, leave her alone."
"Then choose. Answer within three seconds, or you'll see my wrath. My side or theirs."
I don't need to think. No matter what might happen in the future, right now, I need to do everything I can to protect Millie.
"Yours."
