Page 187 of Risks of Temptation
I translate, and she nods, still sobbing.
"What house?" Malin asks.
"Blaise's."
"We're going to Bermuda?"
Kalim and he lock eyes. "Yes. You all need to stay there. Do not leave, whatever you do."
Malin lowers his voice. His eyes darken. "There is unfinished business to take care of."
"I'm aware."
Malin kisses my head. "Ma belle, take Josie to the plane. I will be there in a moment."
I glance between the two men. "Okay."
Malin kisses my head again. "Thank you, ma belle."
I hold my hand out and say in Spanish. "Josie, we need to get on that plane so we can go see your daughter. Please come with me."
She repeats thank you several times and steps out of the helicopter with me. I lead her to the plane, and when I get closer to Gustave and Bernadette, he releases her.
"Go in the jet. I'll be inside in a moment."
She sniffles and kisses his lips again then goes inside with us.
The three of us wait. I try not to stare at Josie, but she looks so much like Julieta. "I think Julieta is in Bermuda, too."
Josie closes her eyes and squeezes them tightly. New tears escape, but I don't think they are happy ones like when she learned her daughter was safe. They remind me of pain.
I glance at Bernadette, but she's staring out the window, watching Gustave and Malin speak. The helicopters take off. It's several more minutes before Malin and Gustave get in the plane.
They both look pissed at each other. Malin grabs my hand. "Ma belle, let's go in the back."
Gustave takes the seat next to Bernadette.
The door to the plane shuts, and we take off.
Malin and Gustave ignore each other the entire two-hour flight. Josie keeps to herself.
Malin pulls me onto his lap. In French, he murmurs, "Ma belle, are you okay?"
I look up and stroke his cheek. "Yes. Are you?"
He closes his eyes and takes several deep breaths. When he opens them, there's so much pain in them. It causes mine to fill with tears.
"What is wrong, my love?"
"This needs to end. I can't have you in this underworld. It is not a place for you. It never has been."
"I'm okay. We're okay."
He shakes his head. "No, ma belle. We can't be okay. This is not the life I want for you. You could have been taken from me tonight."
My chest tightens. I force a smile. "But I wasn't."
"That isn't good enough."
