Page 56 of Risks of Temptation

"I know that. I told you, you're strong."

Courage is in her. I see it. She doesn't comprehend the amount she possesses.

I dip down and kiss her, tugging her against me, needing her to find her way back to me...to us. Everything I have, I put into our kiss, deepening it until we're both breathless, and my erection can't get any harder and presses into her stomach. "Don't ever tell me again not to call you ma belle. You will always be ma belle. If you want me to stop when I touch you, you tell me, and I will. But don't use it as a threat unless you mean it. And it's not my duty to protect you. It's a need deep in my soul."

"I'm... I'm sorry."

I peck her on the lips. "Let's sit down. Finish asking your questions, and I will answer."

"You won't lie to me anymore?"

I glance at the trees. They are so thick, I can't see the night sky. Several bats screech and fly away.

"Malin—"

"Ma belle, I promise I won't lie to you, but I can't disclose certain things. I'm already past the point I should be. Ask your questions, and if I'm not comfortable answering, I'll tell you instead of lying."

She doesn't move.

"Do you want more answers?"

She nods. "Yes."

"Then sit down."

She obeys. "Who did you just call?"

"Gustave."

"Who is that?"

"My brother, but few people know we are related. There are only two people in the world who are aware. Louis and Gustave's wife. His adult daughter doesn't even know. And now you're the third."

Her mouth opens then shuts. I wait for her to gather her thoughts, and she finally says, "You really never told anyone else?"

"Yes. Only you, ma belle."

Her forehead creases, but a small smile appears. "Why doesn't anyone know?"

"It's safer for both of us."

She tilts her head. "What do you mean?"

"Can we come back to this topic?" There is so much more to explain before I can tell her. If she doesn't know the rest, it won't make sense.

"Okay. Who are the Global Leaders?"

"You know how to get right to the important questions first, don't you, ma belle?" I tease, but my heart rate increases.

"Malin—"

"It's a secret society of politicians, heads of drug cartels, media and entertainment leaders, and heads of corporations."

"It's a bad organization?"

"Yes. Almost all of the members, minus the few inside who are trying to dismantle it."

"Why are they bad?"