Page 173 of Stains of Desire
Epilogue
Axel
Sparklingturquoise water stretches as far as I can see. The sun shines bright, and it's going to be a hot day. I step out on the deck.
"Is there still no word from Interpol about Louis?" Ryker asks Andre.
Andre crosses his arms. "No. The Belizean authorities haven't reported him dead. They eagerly reported about the massacre at the Torres compound but said nothing about Louis. As far as everyone is concerned, he's still alive."
"Sounds like I missed all the fun," I say.
Ryker and Andre turn.
Hunter pats me on the back. "That you did."
About a week ago, the guys ran a covert operation at the Torres compound to rescue Ryker. From what they said, they showed no mercy and left everyone dead. But I was focused on Penelope and Millie yesterday, so I only got bits and pieces about what happened. While Penelope and Millie are still my main focus, I can't ignore what's gone on and the threat that still looms.
And I'm uneasy about what I had to do to get out of France.
"How well do you know Gustave?" I ask Andre.
"Well enough. He delivered Julieta and Millie, too. He's trustworthy."
"I hope so. I let him record me demanding millions from Louis to assassinate the president, prime minister, and Jonas and Evandro Torres," I blurt out.
"Why the hell would you agree to that?" Dirk barks.
"Jesus," Hunter growls.
"I had to. It was the only way to set Louis up and get out of France and into Venezuela to look for Millie."
Ryker's eyes widen. "You were a part of the reason Evandro wanted Louis dead?"
I fill them in on everything Gustave told me and what we did.
"Where's the tape?" Andre asks.
"Gustave promised he wouldn't turn it over to the Torres brothers and would only let them listen. At the time, we didn't know Jonas was dead. I'm assuming he met with Evandro and played it, but if that recording isn't destroyed..." My gut flips.
"That took some balls," Blaise mutters.
"It wasn't a choice. I had to find Millie and Penelope."
Blaise grunts. "Still."
"Andre, I need to know something else."
"What?"
"How well do you know Gustave?" I repeat.
Andre's eyes turn to slits. "That's the second time you've asked me that. Whatever you're trying to ask me, spit it out."
I shift on my feet. "I'll rephrase. How did you meet him?"
"Why?"
"I need to know." My gut doesn't tell me Gustave is bad, but I still don't like the fact that I don't know if the tape has been destroyed. If anyone would know Malin's secret, it would be Andre. We're all close, but Andre and Malin are like Dirk and me.
