Page 165 of Risks of Temptation
Axel raises his eyebrows and waits for me to speak.
"Gustave is my brother."
A deep line creases between his eyes. "What are you talking about? You're an only child."
"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," I tell him.
The color drains from his face. "Where is she?"
"William is on his way back to Panama with her. And he's not happy," I inform him.
"What's going on?" Axel asks.
"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 says and hands him a thick envelope. "Leave now. You're running out of time."
Axel takes it and leaves.
"She's so beautiful. She's a mini Penelope," Emilia whispers, fixated on Millie. She strokes the freckles on her cheek and kisses her head again.
"We can't go back to the embassy with her," I say to Gustave.
"Yes, I know. I have secured a mountain home for you. The plane is chartered. In five days, we will pass her off."
"Pass her off?" Emilia gasps and pulls her closer to her.
Gustave nods. "To Julieta. She must get to Bermuda with Julieta, not you. You and Malin are needed for other things."
"Julieta...she's okay?" Emilia asks.
"As good as to be expected," Gustave replies. Another car pulls up. "I need to get to Bernadette. Clothes are in the trunk for everyone. The driver will stay with you until it's time for the transfer." He leaves, and our driver takes us several hours away into the mountains.
We get out and go into the bedroom. Millie stays in Emilia's arms. I hold ma belle in mine.
"She's going to be so scared when she wakes up," Emilia frets.
"Where's the photo of Penelope?" I ask.
Emilia digs in the little pocket of Millie's pants and hands me a folded piece of paper.
I open it up just as Millie wakes.
She gasps, and her face scrunches in tears when she sees Emilia and me.
"Shh," Emilia says, stroking her hair. "We know your mummy. Axel went to get your mummy so you can be together."
Millie sniffles and cries, "I want my mummy."
"I know, baby. Shhh. Do you want to see a picture of your mummy?"
Millie nods her head into Emilia's chest.
"Okay, sweetheart. I'm Emilia, and this is Malin. He has a photo of your mummy. Do you want to look now?"
She lifts her tear-stained face away from Emilia's chest and slowly looks at me.
Her green eyes are stunning and just like Penelope's. "You have your mummy's eyes," I say. "Here's her photo."
More tears flow as she looks at it.
