Page 112 of Risks of Temptation

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Malin

"At least tellme how she is," I say to Gustave for the hundredth time. It's only been a few days. Bernadette has the key to Emilia's suite. I could pick it if I had my tool case.

Why the hell did I leave everything in the jungle?

I'm in a bedroom that butts up to Emilia's suite, but I hear nothing. Every day and night, I listen, hoping to hear something. If I did, I could tell her how much I love her or how this is killing me, even if it's through the wall. But all I hear is silence.

I've not left the embassy building. Gustave and I are in meetings every day, finding out who's on whose side and what role they plan on taking in the shift of power. The only problem is Gustave and I don't know if we're playing them or they are playing us.

It's a dangerous game. Louis is with us the majority of the time. We regain his trust. At least we think we do, but there is no way to know for sure. Gustave gave him Naomi's notes and told him the reason I took Emilia was to get them for him. He doesn't know about the other set in the safe deposit box. When we see him, I give him the hard copies Emilia and I stole.

"Who else has seen this?" he asks.

"No one."

"The President doesn't know you have these?"

"No. I've not spoken to him."

A sinister smile fills his face. "Good. Keep it that way."

How did I never see his evil before?

All these years.

Louis swirls his scotch in the crystal cut glass. "I'm still not happy you tried to play me."

Gustave snorts. "And you weren't doing the same to us?"

"Point taken." He takes a long sip.

"Now we are positive we're all on the same team, can we discuss the important things? Like who we need to eliminate."

Louis arches an eyebrow. "Malin, who do you think needs to go first?"

You.

"The cartel heads and a majority of their higher-ups so chaos reigns in their organizations. We let the President and Prime Minister do the heavy lifting and gain control of the supply. Then we take them both out."

Then I'm putting a bullet in your head, too.

A twenty-something blonde woman wearing stilettos and lingerie sets down another round of drinks. Her floral perfume fills my nostrils. It makes me crave Emilia's peaches and coconut scent.

She leans over me and slides her hands down my chest. My jaw clenches. I'm not interested in whatever it is she has to say to me or is offering. I reach for her wrists to remove her hands off me and clasp them.

Gustave kicks me under the table, which is something he often does.

Stay in your role.

If ever it was clear why my father chose me to take the military route and Gustave the political one, it's now. I'm not cut out for this the way Gustave is.

The woman whispers in my ear, "I haven't seen you here before. Whatever you want, I can deliver."

I feel bad for this woman. She's what the Global Leaders call, a "free for all." They kidnapped her, took her to the whorehouse to break her, then brought her here to serve the drinks and any man who comes into the restaurant. Her role is to offer herself out. If she doesn't, there are violent consequences for her.

I force a smile. "Maybe another time, sweetheart. I've got important business to discuss."