Page 18 of Risks of Temptation

"Yeah. I can't believe we got rescued this quickly."

She smiles. "I'm happy you didn't have to be subjected to those men any longer."

My skin crawls again. I don't know anything about any of these women besides their names and the little bit Naomi told me. But I can't imagine what they have experienced. I lower my voice. "How long were you there?"

"I'm not sure. I was at Santiago's compound for over a year before we got to the pit."

She doesn't know how long she's been with Santiago."You've been missing eighteen months."

"Eighteen..." She puts her hand over her mouth, and tears fill her green eyes.

I put my arm around her. "I'm sorry. I should be more sensitive about what I say."

"No, it's not that."

I stroke her hair, waiting for her to tell me what is wrong, but not wanting to push her. I've had others demand I tell them things before, and I don't appreciate it when people do that to me, especially strangers.

She sniffles. "Santiago took my daughter. She turned four a few days after he kidnapped us, and they took her, and now she's five and a half. I... I didn't know how long he had me and..." Her body shakes.

She has a daughter. And bad men have her. Oh God. Please don't let them hurt her and especially not how I was abused.

My heart bleeds. The image of a little girl who looks like Penelope forms in my mind, and it tears at every emotion I have. I pull her tighter to me. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know."

She locks eyes with me and firmly says, "Don't say anything to the guys. Please."

"Okay. But why not? Maybe they can help?"

Her voice sounds desperate. "Just...please don't."

"All right. I won't. Promise."

Malin approaches us. "Is everything okay?"

She wipes her face.

"Yes, we're just grateful to be out of the dirt hole," I quickly say.

He kneels, picks up my arm, and my pulse beats quicker. "I'm sorry. I think I didn't protect you enough from the trees."

"You did," I blurt out, and heat scorches my face.

I have no social skills. Way to be smooth.

He studies me. Something shifts in his gray eyes. I don't know what it is, but it burns my face further. He then turns to Penelope. "Axel said you stepped on something. Can I look at your foot?"

"Sure."

I'm relieved when he concentrates on Penelope, and I practice some breathing I learned in yoga class to try and calm my insides.

Penelope and I talk while Malin cleans the wound on her foot, but I barely comprehend what we are saying. Malin's eyes are on me. I feel his intense gaze but avoid him, trying to focus on Penelope but probably sounding like a blabbing idiot.

She excuses herself, and my heart beats faster. I slowly turn to Malin.

He has an amused grin on his face and is kneeling in front of me.

He thinks I'm a blubbering fool.

I am.