Page 98 of Risks of Temptation
The two men glare at each other. Bernadette rises and holds out her hand. "Emilia, let's go in the back, shall we?"
"Yes."
Malin growls, "Bernadette—"
She glares at him. "You cannot hide Emilia. He will find her. The alliance Gustave just had to repair with Louis will break. This time it won't be fixable. We cannot pretend this isn't reality. She can take control of the situation or let it control her. Her fate will be worse if you do not claim her in the room with you, and you know this."
"She is not—"
"It's the whorehouse or you buy her. Take your pick, Malin," Bernadette warns.
I turn to Malin. "I'm not leaving you. Whatever I need to do, I will. Have some faith in me."
Malin picks up my hand. His eyes widen. "Ma belle, this isn't about my faith in you."
"You think I can't handle it. You believe I will break. But I won't. If I'm with you, it will be fine. I won't allow you to drop me off with a stranger or try to hide me. I'd rather face this with you than run."
"Ma belle—"
I shrug out of his grasp and walk to the back of the plane.
"Ma belle!"
"Let them go, Malin. We have a lot to discuss in private," Gustave says.
Bernadette closes the divider, and we sit in armchairs next to each other.
"Please. Don't lie to me. Tell me whatever I need to know. I won't crumble to pieces."
Understanding enters her eyes. "I see your strength, but this is not for the faint of heart."
I exhale the breath I didn't realize I was holding. "I will not be a coward. I have hidden my entire life from things. I refuse to do it anymore."
She hesitates then asks, "What made you hide?"
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Malin...does he know?"
"Yes."
She studies my face. "I see."
"Why would I be worth so much money?"
Bernadette studies my face. "You look virginal. Young. Innocence isn't something you can bring out in someone. It is a rare quality. And your eyes..."
"What about them?"
"Every emotion you have shows up in them. Men will pay big money to watch your every reaction while they break you in."
Break me in.
My insides quiver. "But Malin will do it?"
"Yes. But you know you will be in front of a room of men and women?"
I take a deep breath. I will only be Malin's. He won't let anyone harm me. "Yes. Malin explained."
