Page 97 of Risks of Temptation

17

Emilia

The helicopter ride is short.It drops us off in a field. A private plane is waiting for us. Malin escorts me inside, and a man and woman are already seated. There is no flight attendant, only the pilot. Malin and I sit across from them, and the plane takes off.

Malin introduces us. "This is Gustave and his wife, Bernadette. This is Emilia."

They both kiss my cheek. Bernadette has blonde, shoulder-length hair, bright-blue eyes, and perfect hair and makeup. Gustave's black beret covers most of his salt-and-pepper hair. He has a matching short beard. His cheeks have a slight red tint to them, and his blue eyes are almost identical in color to Bernadette's.

While Gustave is nice, he has a no-nonsense air about him. Bernadette's smile is warm.

Gustave doesn't waste any time. "We've been wrong regarding Louis about many things."

Malin's eyes turn to slits. "Such as?"

"He gets a substantial cut from the money they raise from the women. He also controls the training houses."

The color drains from Malin's face. I put my hand on his thigh. When he looks at me, his gray eyes are dark and full of fear.

"Louis will not stop until he gets what he wants," Gustave states.

Malin's body stiffens. He turns to Gustave. "What does he want with her?"

"Your question doesn't warrant an answer. You already know it."

Bernadette reaches across the table for my hand. Sympathy is on her face.

"He cannot have her. I will kill him first," Malin snarls.

My stomach twists. I should have put two and two together before. "Louis wants to auction me?"

Malin puts his arm around my shoulders and tugs me into his chest. "It's not happening."

"What do you know about this?" Gustave asks me.

"I told her."

"I see."

My insides quiver at the thought of being broken in a whorehouse and then auctioned to the highest bidder. Be brave. Don't be weak. Find out the facts before freaking out.

I address Bernadette. "You were auctioned?"

Her eyes widen. "No, not at all. Gustave would never..."

I sigh in relief. "Right. Sorry, how did you..."

"This is not important, ma belle. We should not discuss this any further."

"Malin, she is worth a lot of money. You aren't stupid. She will go for hundreds of millions, if not more."

I gasp. "What? Why would I be worth so much?"

"Gustave, we will find another way," Malin sneers.

"Do you want to answer Emilia's question, or should I?" Gustave asks.

Malin slams his hand on the table. "She isn't having any part of this."