Page 55 of Risks of Temptation

10

Malin

She can't know. No one can.

She would never tell a soul.I don't have to ask her. I already trust she would never disclose anything I tell her if I ask her not to.

It's too sinister for her.

She's already been through darkness.

I haven't even told my brothers.

Her defiant, hurt expression glares at me. If I don't tell her, there's no going back. Her trust for me will always be broken. And I can't have that.

I've never disclosed anything about what I'm involved in to any woman before. But I'm not foolish to think I can have her if she doesn't trust me. It may not be tonight, or even anytime soon, but the craving to make her mine and never let her go pounds through every cell in my body. So I do what I've never done before. I cave...for her.

With my insides flipping, I slowly pull my phone out of my pocket, hit a button, and put it to my ear. My eyes never leave hers.

The line rings three times. In the middle of the fourth, Gustave answers. "I still have no answers for you," he says in French.

I speak English. "Louis is on the other side."

Emilia doesn't move.

Silence fills the line for so long, I say, "Are you still there?"

Gustave clears his throat. "Yes. You have proof?"

"The embassy woman. She let it slip."

His voice lowers. "This changes everything."

"Yes."

"The targets can't be delivered."

I reach out and stroke ma belle's cheek with my thumb. When she doesn't move out of the way or shrug out of my touch, relief hits me. "We've already taken measures to stop the delivery and take them to safety."

"All the plans—"

"We need a new strategy. We can't implement anything we discussed."

"Do the others know?"

I glide my thumb over her plump lips. "My target knows. I don't know about the others, but my gut says no."

Emilia's eyes widen.

Gustave sighs heavily. "I'll contact you when I have my thoughts together."

"Goodbye." I hang up and put my phone back in my pocket.

"Wh-who are you?" she whispers.

She should be scared of me, but I don't think she is. I step toward her. I tilt her chin up with both hands. "No one can ever know what I tell you. When I explain everything to you, you will see why I'm trying to protect you. I'm not sure if disclosing this to you is the right thing, but I need you to trust me. If this is the only way to earn your trust, then I will tell you."

"Please," she whispers. "I can handle it. I won't crack."