Page 156 of Stains of Desire
I drive for a few hours and call Gustave.
"Is it good news?"
"Get the plane ready."
"I had a feeling. You were at the last location?"
"Yes."
"I'll message you coordinates where to meet."
It takes two days to get to the meeting point. Millie and I only stop for gas and bathroom breaks. She often asks about Penelope, and I try to talk to her about other things to keep her mind off it.
When we get to the meeting location, it's the middle of the night, and Millie is asleep. A black hired car is in an empty lot. Gustave rolls down his window. I get out, unbuckle Millie, and carry her to the car. The door opens, and I gape. Dressed in designer clothes, Malin has his arm around Emilia. "Malin. Emilia. What are you doing here?"
Malin exchanges a glance with Gustave. "Gustave and I have been working together."
Confusion fills me. "Working together?" My eyes get diverted to Emilia's hand. She has the biggest diamond ring I've ever seen on her finger, along with a wedding band. Malin has a matching band. She squeezes his thigh. I lock eyes with Malin. He's my brother. We've been together forever in the toughest of situations. A strange feeling overpowers me, going deeper than the confusion. It's not distrust, but I can't place it.
Emilia reaches out for Millie. My heart pitter-patters and part of me doesn't want to let her out of my sight. But I know I must, and she will be safe with Emilia and Malin. I kiss Millie's head and hand her over. She's still sleeping. "She has a picture of Penelope in her pocket I gave her. It brings her comfort but also some pain."
Emilia nods.
Malin's gray eyes drill into mine. "Gustave is my brother."
"What are you talking about? You're an only child."
He shakes his head. "There's no time to explain why I never told you about Gustave. We will make sure Millie gets to safety. It will take at least a week to arrange what needs to be done. All the women need to stay in Bermuda for now. Tell Andre not to let anyone leave. But you can't wait another minute. Penelope is in danger," Malin says.
My gut flips. "Where is she?"
Malin's face hardens. "William is on his way back to Panama with her. And he's not happy."
"What's going on?"
"Santiago, Jorge, and Jonas are all dead. But you need to leave. I've been with William for the last few weeks. He's snapping. Take this. It will get you into the embassy in Panama City." Gustave hands me a thick envelope. "Leave now. You're running out of time."
