Page 53 of Risks of Temptation
God, I'm so naive.
Why did I expect differently? He can have any woman he wants.
"But why couldn't I go where Interpol directed?"
"It's not safe for you or any of the other women to go back to your home countries."
"Why?"
His thigh twitches under my body. "Everyone has different circumstances."
Another half answer.
"Does this have something to do with the Global Leaders?"
The color drains from his face. His eyes widen, and his voice makes the hairs on my arms stand. "Ma belle, where did you hear that term?"
"Why?"
"I need to know."
"Penelope. Before we left, she said something about your boss at Interpol being part of the Global Leaders. She...she seemed scared by it."
He speaks slowly. "Ma belle, are you positive she said that?"
"Yes. Why do you look like you're going to get sick?"
"Did Penelope say anything else?"
"No. I asked her who the Global Leaders were, and she asked me to drop it."
"Stay here. I need to make a phone call."
"To whom?"
"Don't move. I'll be right back."
"Malin—"
He possessively cups my face. "I need you to trust me, ma belle. No matter what anyone has hidden from you, or what you think right now, I need you to know in your heart that I'm making decisions for us based on things I know."
Us.
There is no us. He won't give me full disclosure.
I desire nothing more than to put my full faith in him. But I'm tired of being left in the dark. "How can I do that if you aren't honest with me?"
"I've been answering your questions."
"You've lied to me. Not once, several times," I cry out.
He sighs deeply. "Emilia—"
"What? I'm not your ma belle now that something important has come up?" My insides shake as I defy him, but I can't continue living my life backing down whenever anyone tries to hide reality from me.
His face hardens. "Don't question my feelings for you."
"I may not be wise in the world of relationships, but I won't stoop so low to let someone in my life who can't be honest with me."
