Page 114 of Marks of Rebellion

"Carlos...vacations...parties. I've been in the room for all these discussions. It's another reason Carlos would want me back. He knows I know his secrets. I have dirt on the most powerful men in the world." She shudders, even though it's hot out.

"Come here, Flower." I pat my lap, and when she sits, I hold her tight to me. "This must have been eating at you for a long time."

She frowns. "There's no one to report this to. It's all happening. Right now, behind closed doors, deals are being made. Alliances, as well as fake loyalties, are being created. Whoever gains control will run a trillion dollar a year empire and become the most powerful man in the world, and thus, untouchable. And by the time the people know what is happening, it'll be too late. The free world, as we know it, will be gone, and the new world will be run by dictators."

The hole in my stomach grows. My time in the military isn't one I'd wish on anyone. "And those dictators will kill millions of people in war to gain control of the entire entity."

"Yes. The gap between the rich and poor will grow. There will be no more middle class anywhere. Citizens will starve, and assets will be seized in ‘the name of the good of the people' only to make the politicians richer."

My head spins with all she's told me. It's unimaginable and against everything I've fought for in the military or since joining Interpol.

"Why did the Guatemalan guerrillas kidnap you?"

"They've funded themselves through the Colombian cartel for years. They are still trying to claim Belize as part of Guatemala. More deals were going on behind closed doors with the Belizean politicians and guerrillas. But the Belizeans were setting them up, and Carlos was the one leading the pack. So I'm a weapon to use against him. They know how obsessed he is with me, but they see the value of the information I hold. It's why they were able to sell me to Santiago."

"And Santiago made you have dinner with him to reveal your secrets?" My gut churns, thinking of Santiago that close to Vanessa.

"Yes. And...and I'm scared that what I told him is going to get back to Carlos. If he knows I said anything and finds me—"

"He's not coming near you ever again, Flower."

"I had another dream last night," she blurts out.

Guilt weighs heavy on me. "That's my fault. If you weren't upset—"

"That doesn't have anything to do with it. I keep having it because it's going to happen. My dreams have always come true."

The hairs on my arms stand straight up. "What are you talking about?"

"My mother is the same way. Our dreams are premonitions. I've never had a reoccurring dream that didn't come true."

"Well, this one won't." As I confidently say it, my insides quiver in fear.

What if I'm wrong?

No. Just protect her, and it won't happen. I can prevent it.

"Hunter—"

I put my fingers to her lips. "I'm not letting you out of my sight."

"They are always..." The blood drains from her face.

"What?"

Her eyes widen. "I was going to say always the same, but it wasn't this time."

My stomach twists. "What do you mean?"

"My dream is always the same. Always. But..." She furrows her brows and looks down. "That's so strange."

"What is?"

She slowly tilts her head back up. "The lawn. I woke up and looked out the balcony. On the edge of the jungle were vibrant, red hibiscuses. It was a huge bouquet."

"Would those flowers be something you would have had at your wedding?"

"No. Carlos is allergic to them. He hates them. I brought them into the house once and..." She looks away.