Page 105 of Stains of Desire

I nod. "The guerrillas have been working with cartels, but especially the Colombian cartel, to gain power."

"That would explain how the transaction occurred to sell Vanessa from the guerrillas to Gomez's gang," Andre says.

"But there's a bigger play going on," I say.

Naomi leans closer. "What is it?"

"The U.S. and Britain—"

The house shakes so violently, the pan falls off the stove and photographs come crashing off the walls. The chandelier above the table swings.

"Naomi, get down," Andre yells and pulls her under the table.

We all crouch under the table. The rumbling gets louder, and Zoe and Penelope's screams fill the air.

Dirk and I slide out from under the table and rush out of the room, yelling their names. We take two steps at a time as the house continues to tremble.

Penelope and Zoe both continue to scream, and my heart races.

There's another loud crash, and Dirk and I run into the room.

"Get under the desk, Zoe!" Dirk yells.

The wall between the rooms and part of the ceiling have crashed onto the bed. Penelope's screams turn to bigger panic. Dirk and I quickly throw pieces of the wall out of the way to get to her. The shaking stops, but she's still trapped.

"Andre! Tinker!" I holler.

Dirk barks, "Stay under the desk, Zoe!"

Andre and Tinker come racing in, and we continue to dig through the rubble to get to her.

"Hold on, green eyes," I yell and hear her sniffle then see her body.

"Dirk, grab a towel," I yell.

Dirk goes into their bathroom and comes out with a yellow one. He hands it to me. "Turn around, everyone."

The men all turn, and I pull Penelope out of the rubble and wrap a towel around her. She's trembling, and tears stain her cheeks.

I hold her as tight as I can. "Shh. I've got you."

She continues to shake.

"Are you hurt?"

"No."

I hold her tighter.

"I've gotta get back to Naomi," Andre's voice booms.

"Where is she?" Zoe asks.

"Under the table in the kitchen," he replies as he trots out of the room.

"Penelope, are you hurt?" I ask her again and tilt her chin up, worried she might not be telling me again that she is in pain.

Her tearful eyes are rightfully shaken. "I-I'm okay."