Page 59 of Stains of Desire
"Why do you think the other women were kidnapped? Santiago wanted your secrets, but what about them?"
"Zoe's part of the media industry. The Global Leaders already control it. Every song we listen to, or news outlet, is in their control. Julieta was on the private planes. The airlines are transporting the drugs, so it has to be something to do with that. I'm assuming Vanessa knows secrets, like I do, because her fiancé is a Belizean cabinet member. Naomi figured something out, but I don't know all the details. I think Emilia is just an innocent bystander that Santiago took to make Naomi do whatever he wanted."
"Why would Santiago have you all in the jungle together?"
She sighs. "I'm not sure. Can we talk about something else? If I focus on it too much, I start thinking about what kind of world Millie is going to have to grow up in and it sends me down a hole. I will tell you more another day if that is okay?"
"Sure. Does Millie look like you?" I ask.
Penelope smiles, and her eyes glisten. "She's my mini-me."
"Ah. She's extra gorgeous, then."
She stares at the fire. "She is. I wonder if she still looks the same. It's been so long, and they change so much when they are little."
"I'm sure she still looks like you, just a bit older."
The fire crackles, and Penelope turns. "Have you ever been married?"
"No."
"Ever come close?"
"No."
"What's the longest you've had a girlfriend?"
"Five years."
"And you didn't think about marrying her?"
"I think every person you date, you wonder if they're the one. But I never saw her as the one."
"Then why date her for five years?"
"You ask a hard question."
"Do you not want to answer?"
"Not really. I'd rather be talking about you than my previous girlfriends."
"Hmm." She turns back toward the fire and straightens her posture. "I'm sure it's more fun to be single and not tied down."
She thinks I can't do serious.
You are a forty-three-year-old, never-married man.
"I'm not intentionally single by choice, you know."
Her green eyes glow in the dark. "Meaning?"
"I'm not single because I'm against marriage. I just never found the right woman I wanted to be with forever."
Neither of us says a word.
She thinks I'm a player and going to use her and be done.
I'm about to set her straight and tell her I'm not looking for a quick little fling when she asks, "What would you be doing if you weren't here right now?"
