Page 57 of Risks of Temptation

I pull her onto my lap. "I don't want you to worry about this. Once you know, you can't forget it. It's better to stay ignorant and keep moving forward with your life."

"Please. I need to know."

She won't drop it.

She's not going to, either.

"If they get their way, freedom will be gone. Dictators will run free societies. No one will own any personal property. Militaries will be used to seize property and throw people in prison for no cause. That's only domestically. Internationally, there will be a world war the likes of which have never been seen before. Weapons of mass destruction like nuclear bombs, chemicals, and new technology will destroy the Earth. Women will be used only for a man's pleasure. They will have no say. No choice. No repercussions. Only select children will receive an education. Businesses will be owned by governments, eliminating free thought and prosperity."

She shudders, and I pull her closer.

"How is this all possible?" she quietly asks.

"The most powerful people on the planet are part of this. It's been in the works for decades."

"How do you know who the good people are?"

I swat at a fly on my arm but don't hit it. "You don't. The only one I can vouch for is Gustave. As proven tonight, you think someone is on your side but isn't."

"Who is this Louis person you mentioned on your call?"

"The head of Interpol."

"And you thought he was good, but he's bad?"

"Yes. Santiago kidnapped Penelope for all the secrets she knew. She's been on both sides of the visible war."

"The visible war?"

"There is an internal battle for power inside the Global Leaders. She was on one side then Santiago kidnapped her. If Penelope let it slip about Louis, I can't trust him. And I already had my doubts, based on this mission."

She tilts her head. "Something was off?"

I stroke her back. "You weren't supposed to be here."

She freezes. "What do you mean?"

"Santiago had a reason for every woman in that pit."

Fear fills her face. "What do I have to do with this?"

"I don't know. Before I left France, I saw all the women's folders, except yours. Santiago wasn't supposed to kidnap you. Naomi's abduction occurred when I got on the plane."

Anger replaces her fear. "You knew about it?"

"Only a few hours before it happened. I didn't know about any of the women until then. When I got to Belize, Kalim gave me your folder. I should have had Julieta's. She was my target. Ryker wasn't supposed to be here and showed up after Andre arrived."

"What did the other guys say about there being six of us instead of five?"

My heart beats faster. "They didn't know anything until they got to Belize, including the fact I knew anything before them."

Goose bumps pop out on her skin.

I rub my hands over her arms. "Louis plays both sides of the Global Leaders. Santiago told him his plan to get his brother, Nicolas, back. Louis gave Gustave five folders for me, and the list of which of our team members would be present. Ryker wasn't on the list. Kalim arrived in Belize with six folders before I got here. Louis had to have known. The entire time I've been here, I've been trying to figure out how this mistake could happen, but nothing added up. The only conclusion I kept coming to involved Louis not being who I thought he was."

A group of bats' high-pitched shrieks fill the air and Emilia jumps. I rub her back reassuringly, wondering what's going through her mind. "The bats aren't close."

She releases a breath. "Why would Louis hide me? I don't understand. I know nothing. I'm boring."